4:36 am - July 18, 2026The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, reflecting significant investments and policy shifts towards sustainability, including waste management, biodiversity, and renewable energy expansion. The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index , and honestly, that really highlights…
Naseej advances its mission to create a sustainable textile sector in the UAE through 14 strategic collaborations spanning public and private sectors, aiming to develop a comprehensive circular economy model with pilot projects and policy support. Naseej’s drive to develop a circular textile economy in the UAE has now moved…
Positive Zero’s new loan facility marks the first of its kind in the Middle East, signalling increasing confidence in decentralised renewable projects across the GCC as part of the region’s energy transition. Positive Zero has successfully secured a $375 million loan facility, a move that will bolster decentralised energy infrastructure…
As the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards celebrate ten years, organisers emphasise their role in fostering meaningful environmental and governance improvements among regional organisations, reflecting a broader shift in sustainability being a key business asset. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has opened nominations for the tenth edition of…
The emirate introduces ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, a multi-year initiative encouraging residents and businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, focusing on reducing single-use plastics and promoting reusable alternatives across the emirate. Sharjah has rolled out a fresh, emirate-wide campaign focused on sustainability , kinda aiming to make everyday choices a bit…
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched the third edition of its ‘Musta’dim’ programme, now integrating marine ecology and food security to inspire young minds and support the nation’s environmental and economic resilience. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has now rolled out the third…
DP World’s strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech marks a significant step in decentralising water solutions within global supply chains, aiming to enhance water resilience and sustainability across its international operations. DP World has recently taken a strategic stake in Hyderabad-based Maithri Aquatech, setting up pilot trials of atmospheric water…
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The UAE has unveiled the Global Youth Envoys for Water initiative, aiming to empower young leaders from vulnerable regions to influence global water governance ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has introduced a new initiative aimed at involving younger voices in global water diplomacy, ahead of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. This move forms part of the country’s wider effort to connect climate action with international collaboration. Announced by the Arab Youth Centre during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York, the programme called…
ENOC’s partnership with EVS aims to expand quick and specialised maintenance services for electric vehicles across key regions in the UAE, signalling a significant step towards integrated electric mobility support. ENOC has partnered up with EVS to expand access to quick maintenance services for electric vehicles right here in the UAE. This move really shows how the country’s charging and servicing network is feeling the heat , or, well, the pressure , to keep pace with the rapid rise in EV adoption. The plan is to offer speedy EV maintenance through AutoPro, ENOC’s established vehicle service network, at four selected…
The Dubai Future Foundation’s fifth edition of its foresight report emphasises actionable strategies and global collaborations to capitalise on technological and systemic opportunities shaping the future of the UAE and beyond. The Dubai Future Foundation has recently published the fifth edition of its flagship foresight report, broadening its focus on the technologies and systems that might influence future growth patterns in the UAE and beyond. Titled “Future Opportunities: The Global 50”, the report revisits fifty opportunities identified in earlier editions, assessing how much they have advanced. According to the Foundation, this latest version aims to help governments, organisations, and individuals…
Masdar has reached financial close on a landmark $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, aiming to deliver around-the-clock renewable power and reinforce the UAE’s shift towards sustainable energy. Masdar has officially reached financial close on a massive $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, paving the way for what it claims will be the world’s first gigascale, around-the-clock renewable power plant. The company has secured about $5.1 billion in funding from a syndicate of 13 international and regional lenders, with an extra $1 billion put in as equity. According to Masdar, this funding…
A Dubai-based biotech firm is turning date palm residues into biofertilisers, boosting crop yields and soil health for thousands of small farmers, as part of a broader push towards a circular economy and climate resilience in the region. Dubai’s efforts to turn agricultural waste into a climate-smart business seem to be gaining real momentum, with a biotech start-up now transforming date palm residues into biofertilisers , a move that’s boosted crop yields, improved soils, and brought thousands of small farmers into a more circular production cycle. The company, called B-Vita, has been recognised as part of Dubai Future Solutions –…
As geological exploration deepens and policy frameworks adapt, the Middle East’s unique geology and regulatory environment position it at the forefront of natural hydrogen development, promising a strategic shift in future energy landscapes. Natural hydrogen is shifting from being just a niche curiosity in geology to becoming a serious point…
Abu Dhabi introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling a broader push into aquatic smart mobility and innovation safety. Abu Dhabi has started tightening up its rules for testing small autonomous and remotely operated boats, signalling that the emirate is broadening its smart…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy launches a new manual and verification tool aimed at preventing oversized air conditioning systems, potentially saving AED560 million annually and supporting the emirate’s sustainability goals. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has introduced a new manual aimed at cooling loads, one that’s designed to address…
The Sustainability Forum Middle East announces its advisory committee for the 2027 event, bringing together senior figures from government, energy, finance, and sustainability sectors to shape regional climate action and sustainable development strategies in Bahrain. The Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced its advisory committee for its fifth edition, which…
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Tadweer Group has awarded Urbaser a contract to develop Abu Dhabi’s first greenfield Material Recovery Facility, incorporating AI-driven sorting systems to boost recycling and reduce landfill reliance by 2028. Tadweer Group has taken quite a significant step forward in Abu Dhabi’s waste management plans, by awarding Urbaser a contract to develop the emirate’s very first greenfield Material Recovery Facility (MRF). This project is pretty much aimed at boosting recycling capacity and cutting down reliance on landfills, especially as the UAE moves deeper into its circular economy ambitions. As reported by UrduPoint and WAM, the new plant is expected to handle…
The UAE-based resale app LUVED introduces AI-driven tools and environmental impact features to promote faster, more personalised transactions and bolster trust within its community-focused, circular fashion platform. A resale app based in the UAE is really leaning into the use of artificial intelligence and sustainability , quite intentionally, it seems , as it tries to make the experience of buying second-hand luxury items feel more instant, personalised, and less wasteful. LUVED, a mobile-focused peer-to-peer marketplace for pre-loved luxury fashion and lifestyle products, has recently rolled out two new features within the app: LUVBOT, an AI-driven assistant, and My Impact, a…
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The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has signed a groundbreaking MoU with Google Cloud, signalling a major step towards leveraging AI, machine learning, and cloud technology to revolutionise energy infrastructure and sustainability efforts in the emirate. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has taken a significant leap forward in its digital journey by partnering up with Google Cloud. They recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which marks an important step towards boosting digital transformation and innovation within the emirate’s energy sector. The event took place during GITEX Global Week 2025 and was attended by H.E. Dr. Abdulla Humaid…
Belgian cleantech startup Sirona Technologies launches Project Moringa in Oman and UAE, harnessing solar power and geological resources to achieve permanent atmospheric CO₂ removal, signalling a new phase in regional climate mitigation efforts. Belgian cleantech startup Sirona Technologies has recently made a significant stride in fighting climate change, particularly in the Middle East, with the launch of Project Moringa—an innovative Direct Air Capture (DAC) initiative aimed at removing and permanently storing atmospheric CO₂. This project, which is situated in both Oman and the UAE, uses solar-powered DAC units to pull CO₂ from the air. The captured CO₂ is then mineralised…
Crescent Enterprises commits AED 250 million to expand CE-Creates, a venture studio accelerating UAE start-ups’ growth and global competitiveness amid the country’s rising status as a startup hub. Crescent Enterprises, a well-known UAE-based diversified business group, has announced a pretty big investment of AED 250 million (roughly US$68 million). This move is aimed at expanding CE-Creates, their venture-building platform. This significant funding—paired with some new leadership—signals a major step forward in their goal to support and speed up the growth of high-potential startups originating from the UAE, especially those looking to make a splash on the global scene. Basically, CE-Creates…
The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has signed a strategic partnership with IBM to utilise artificial intelligence in accelerating its sustainability initiatives, including net zero ambitions and environmental conservation. The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has recently taken an important step forward in pushing its sustainability goals by signing a strategic partnership agreement with IBM. This partnership was officially announced during the GITEX Global 2025 event held in Dubai. Its main purpose is to develop and apply cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, aligning closely with the ministry’s broader push for digital transformation. The initiative also…
Khalifa University-led team progresses to second stage of the prestigious XPRIZE Water Scarcity contest, introducing sustainable desalination technology aimed at transforming water management and resource reuse globally. Team “Watts & Water,” which is led by Khalifa University of Science and Technology and involves a number of international partners, has officially moved on to the second stage of the well-known XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition. This contest offers a hefty prize pool of $119 million—the biggest of its kind anywhere—and aims to spark groundbreaking solutions for one of humanity’s biggest challenges: water shortage. The competition is set up in two main tracks.…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy partners with MBZUAI to deploy advanced AI solutions, aiming to revolutionise the emirate’s energy sector and achieve sustainable development through cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has made a significant move forward in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the emirate’s energy sector, thanks to a strategic partnership with the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and its main goal is to speed up innovation, improve operational efficiency, and support data-driven policy decisions—using cutting-edge AI and…
Plans for a worldwide shipping carbon levy hit a delay after opposition from the US, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, threatening progress on international decarbonisation efforts and complicating climate targets. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) had set out with pretty big ambitions — aiming to roll out a global carbon pricing system for shipping. But, unfortunately, those plans recently hit some serious roadblocks, mainly because the U.S. and a few other major oil-producing countries, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, pushed back hard. Honestly, it’s quite a setback in the worldwide effort to cut greenhouse gases from ships, which, as you…
Abu Dhabi’s ambitious year-long initiative to restore seagrass beds underscores its commitment to carbon capture, marine biodiversity, and sustainable environmental practices, positioning the emirate as a global leader in ocean health innovations. As concern around climate change continues to grow worldwide, Abu Dhabi is taking a leading role by launching a major marine restoration project through its Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with TotalEnergies. This year-long effort focuses on restoring seagrass beds and is a key part of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy. The goal? To protect the emirate’s precious marine ecosystems and at the same time, demonstrate…
Dubai hosts its largest-ever Expand North Star event, uniting over 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors from 180 countries to showcase innovation in AI, climate tech, and digital economy, as the UAE accelerates its ambition to become a global startup capital. Expand North Star 2025 has officially kicked off in Dubai, marking its milestone 10th year as the largest-ever gathering connecting startups and investors worldwide. The event, running from October 12 to 15 at Dubai Harbour, brought together over 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors hailing from 180 different countries—collectively managing assets worth around US$1.1 trillion. Organized by the Dubai World Trade…
Abu Dhabi’s Nature X initiative harnesses cutting-edge AI and robotics to revolutionise ecosystem restoration and sustainable marine management, setting a global standard for climate-focused conservation efforts. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), together with the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has introduced Nature X Abu Dhabi—an ambitious project aimed at accelerating the conservation, monitoring, and restoration of ecosystems through cutting-edge technologies and AI. This was announced during the 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The move marks a bold step forward in utilizing innovative solutions to tackle…
