Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has begun a four-week Dubai autonomous transit trial at Bluewaters, testing driverless electric pods on a dedicated guideway that could shape future clean mobility links across the emirate. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 11 October the start of a four-week trial of…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority will host the emirate’s first Dubai electric vehicle exhibition and conference from 10 to 12 November, with more than 300 participants and 10,000 visitors expected at the trade centre. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 4 October that it will organise the inaugural…
Holcim UAE and 44.01 have formally commissioned the UAE’s first industrial Fujairah carbon capture pilot, which stores cement plant CO2 in underground rock and gives heavy industry a working template for Net Zero 2050. Holcim UAE and carbon storage company 44.01 officially commissioned the UAE’s first live-condition carbon capture and…
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has introduced mandatory emissions verification rules requiring high-emitting facilities to register, report and use accredited verifiers under a new digital tracking system. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a resolution making emissions verification compulsory for facilities in the emirate’s highest-emitting sectors,…
UAE green sukuk issuance fell to zero in the first half of 2026, Moody’s said, down from 1.7 billion US dollars a year earlier, as GCC issuers pulled back and awaited a second-half recovery. UAE green sukuk issuance dropped to zero in the first half of 2026, according to a…
Emirates Water and Electricity Company projects Abu Dhabi carbon emissions falling by more than 45% by 2035, as solar capacity expands to over 35 gigawatts and battery storage reaches up to 15 gigawatts. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) announced on 21 September a forecast cut in Abu Dhabi carbon…
Nasdaq-listed Beam Global has signed a memorandum of understanding with Masdar City Free Zone to bring off-grid EV charging and energy storage technology into the Masdar City ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. Beam Global (Nasdaq: BEEM) and its regional arm, Beam Middle East, have signed a memorandum of understanding with Masdar…
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Abu Dhabi solar capacity is set to expand by 3GW a year, the emirate’s energy chief says, as its clean energy share hits 47% and desalination shifts to reverse osmosis by 2035. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has set out plans to add 3GW of solar capacity a year, backed by round-the-clock battery storage, as part of a decade-long shift that has already lifted the emirate’s clean energy share, including nuclear, from 1% to 47%. In a 17 September interview, department chairman Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan said the emirate would keep expanding Abu Dhabi solar capacity while pushing almost all…
Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University have opened a pilot plant near Al Ain that converts food waste to biogas and compost, testing whether packaging waste can be processed alongside it too. Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have launched a joint pilot project to convert food waste to biogas and compost at what they describe as the UAE’s first integrated organic-waste valorisation plant. Sited near UAEU’s Al Ain campus, the plant will process up to 40kg of organic waste a day. The partnership was launched at UAEU with value-chain stakeholders including the Emirates Environmental Group, Hotpack,…
Dubai Municipality launches new guide to speed green building retrofits across the emirate
Dubai Municipality has launched an Existing Buildings Greening Guide, giving owners, operators and investors a practical framework for green building retrofits that cut energy and water use and emissions. Dubai Municipality has launched an Existing Buildings Greening Guide across the emirate on 16 September, giving building owners, operators, consultants and investors a practical roadmap for green building retrofits that improve environmental and operational performance. The civic body said the guide supports its wider objectives for sustainable urban development and a better quality of life across Dubai. The guide sets out best practice for green building retrofits while balancing sustainability requirements…
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has signed a two-year partnership with the World Economic Forum to accelerate UAE water innovation and connect solutions with the financing and markets needed to scale them. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative announced on 15 September that it has signed a partnership agreement with the World Economic Forum to speed the adoption and deployment of practical water solutions, extending the Abu Dhabi initiative’s reach into the global water innovation ecosystem. The agreement runs for two years, through September 2028, and centres on closing a persistent gap between promising water technologies and the financing,…
Khalifa University has launched a UNESCO Chair on Global Water Resilience, uniting research, policy and industry to strengthen UAE water security ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December. Khalifa University has established the UNESCO Chair on Global Water Resilience, Innovation and Sustainable Solutions, a UAE-anchored platform intended to connect scientific research with policy and industry on water treatment, desalination, wastewater reuse and governance. The university announced the Chair on 30 June, framing it as a direct contribution to UAE water security ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE co-hosts with Senegal in Abu…
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Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told WAM the UAE has lifted its combined nuclear and renewables target to 35% by 2030-2031, saying new plants and private competition will deliver it.
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development wants to mobilise $2bn by 2030 through its Global Water Platform, half of it the Fund’s own money, to reach 10 million people with safe water. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has named the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform as the main…
Hub71’s renewed Initiate programme draws over 5,500 applications, highlighting growing demand for structured early-stage startup support in Abu Dhabi, with new ventures like Prism56 exemplifying regional innovation and AI adoption. Hub71 is expanding its Initiate programme after attracting over 5,500 applications from founders in the very early stages of building…
Researchers at United Arab Emirates University have created a sustainable catalyst using desert sand, biochar from date pits, and nickel, offering a local solution for clean-energy technologies and resource efficiency. Researchers over at United Arab Emirates University have come up with a pretty interesting green catalyst. It’s made from desert…
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Startups in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 ecosystem have raised more than $2.7bn since 2019, with its ClimateTech vertical part of a specialist strategy as the emirate works to diversify its economy. Startups based at Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s government-backed technology ecosystem, have raised more than $2.7bn (AED 9.9bn) since the platform opened in 2019, according to figures published on 8 June in the hub’s 2025 Impact Report. The same companies generated $1.5bn (AED 5.4bn) in revenue over the period. The totals mark a milestone in the emirate’s drive to build a diversified, innovation-led economy. The figures point to a startup base with…
Marafiq is set to build a new industrial desalination plant in Duqm, underscoring the growing importance of integrated water services for Oman’s emerging low-carbon heavy industry sector and supporting Meranti Green Steel’s ambitious project aiming for mid-2029 completion. Marafiq is gearing up to build a new industrial desalination plant in Duqm, which really highlights just how crucial water infrastructure has become for the region’s emerging low-carbon heavy industry sector. The Centralised Utilities Company for the Special Economic Zone at Duqm will handle the financing and development of this facility, and it’s meant to serve Meranti Green Steel’s upcoming iron project,…
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ABB launches the HyQ PCI880, a modular, high-efficiency power converter poised to transform large-scale hydrogen electrolysis by boosting efficiency, scalability, and grid compatibility, supporting the global shift toward decarbonisation. ABB has announced the launch of the HyQ PCI880, which is a pretty high-tech, modular power converter. It’s designed to give a significant boost to the efficiency and scalability of large-scale green hydrogen electrolysis systems. This new product was rolled out on October 8, 2025, and it aims to fix a pretty critical bottleneck in hydrogen production: the process of converting grid-fed AC to a steady, reliable DC current—something electrolyzers really…
Dubai’s Museum of the Future is spearheading ‘Urban Future Week’ in November 2025, bringing together global experts to rethink city designs amid technological, climate, and social challenges—highlighting Dubai’s ambition to lead future urban innovation. The Museum of the Future, working hand-in-hand with Dubai Municipality, is gearing up to host ‘Urban Future Week’ on November 10th and 11th, 2025. It’s set to bring together a global gathering of top thinkers, urban planners, policymakers, and innovators who will be looking at the future of cities, especially during an era marked by rapid technological advances, climate challenges, and social shifts. This event—high-profile for…
Middle East and Africa gear up for record-breaking solar cost reductions with single-axis tracker technology
Advancements in single-axis tracker technology are driving down the levelized cost of solar electricity across the Middle East and Africa, with Saudi Arabia setting a global record for affordability, signalling a major shift towards renewable energy dominance in the region. The levelized cost of electricity, or LCOE, for solar photovoltaic energy in the Middle East and Africa is projected to dip to a regional low of about $37 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2025. This is largely thanks to advancements in single-axis tracker tech, which are making a real impact. It’s a pretty big milestone and signals that solar energy is…
Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), based in Abu Dhabi, is pioneering innovative sustainable practices in the steel sector, including pioneering carbon capture and green hydrogen projects, positioning the UAE as a global leader in industrial decarbonisation. In the race to curb global carbon emissions, Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), based out of Abu Dhabi, stands out as a shining example of innovation and environmental responsibility. As one of the biggest steel and building material makers in the region, EMSTEEL supplies top-quality products to more than 70 countries across the world, highlighting just how advanced the UAE’s manufacturing sector has become. Now, EMSTEEL’s…
Masdar plans to deploy an additional $20 billion to rapidly expand its renewable energy portfolio worldwide, building on previous investments and strategic alliances, and aiming for 100 gigawatts capacity by 2030. The United Arab Emirates’ leading renewable energy company, Masdar, has recently announced a bold new plan. They aim to deploy around $20 billion in fresh capital and other resources, building on an impressive $30 billion already invested over the last couple of years, according to CEO Mohamed Al Ramahi. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Gulf summit held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ramahi stressed Masdar’s strong desire to speed up…
UAE’s AAFG and Khalifa University partner to accelerate food innovation and sustainability
Al Ain Farms Group and Khalifa University have joined forces to advance research-driven innovations in camel milk, circular economy practices in poultry, and talent development, marking a significant step towards enhancing the UAE’s food resilience and sustainable growth. Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG), a foundational player in the UAE’s food industry, has recently formed a strategic partnership with Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC), which serves as the commercial branch of Khalifa University. The goal? To push forward innovation and sustainability within the country’s food sector. They announced this collaboration at the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition, and their Memorandum of…
Chinese EV maker XPENG enhances its regional presence with a state-of-the-art spare parts hub in Dubai, leveraging advanced logistics and regional market growth projections to bolster its global ambitions. Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has really stepped up its presence in the Middle East with the opening of a high-tech spare parts warehouse in Dubai. Honestly, this move is a pretty smart one designed to support its fast-growing operations across the region. The facility was developed together with JD Logistics, and right now, it’s the largest car parts hub XPENG has in the Middle East. It definitely helps bolster its…
As Abu Dhabi’s nucleus for green technology and smart infrastructure, Masdar City Free Zone is attracting innovative companies worldwide with its full foreign ownership, streamlined licensing, and eco-conscious ecosystem — positioning itself as a key player in the UAE’s transition to a green economy. Masdar City Free Zone in Abu Dhabi is really starting to stand out as a top spot for companies interested in sustainability, innovation, and clean tech. It’s kind of like a glimpse into the future—a modern urban area dedicated to smart mobility, renewable energy, and eco-friendly growth. Masdar City creates a special environment that mixes high-tech…
UAE accelerates green railway innovation with bold regional and environmental commitments
The United Arab Emirates advances its green transport ambitions through strategic railway projects, regional collaborations, and innovative financing, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and reinforcing its position as a global leader in eco-friendly mobility. The United Arab Emirates has emphasized its bold vision for sustainable transportation, especially through its active participation and strategic discussions at the second Saudi International Rail Conference in Riyadh. This event brought together top officials, policymakers, and industry experts from around the world to discuss the future of eco-friendly railway travel and showcase the latest innovations in the sector. Mohammed Al Mansoori, who serves as…
Green Power GCC seeks regulatory approval for electric tuk-tuks in Dubai and Sharjah, signalling a move towards cleaner urban mobility aligned with the UAE’s environmental ambitions. Residents in Dubai and Sharjah might soon see electric tuk-tuks cruising around city streets as part of a broader effort to boost sustainable urban mobility. Green Power GCC, a company from China, has submitted an application to the UAE’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) seeking approval to bring these three-wheeled, dual-powered vehicles into the market. Right now, six of these tuk-tuks are in trial runs within the UAE, waiting for regulatory clearance. Tuk-tuks, which…

