4:52 am - October 18, 2026Dubai’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 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…
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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Abu Dhabi has launched its first electric motorbike battery-swapping station, a move set to revolutionise urban mobility and support the emirate’s goal of reaching 50% electric vehicle fleet by 2040, highlighting a significant step in regional sustainable transport innovation. Abu Dhabi has taken a pretty big step forward in its push towards clean transport, with the opening of the emirate’s very first electric motorbike battery-swapping station. This new station was launched through a partnership between ADNOC Distribution and Terra Tech Ltd., and it’s designed to provide a faster, cleaner, and more efficient way for electric motorbike riders to recharge. Importantly,…
Emirates NBD marks two years of its National Digital Talent Incubator (NDTI)® by unveiling its fifth cohort, boosting Emirati startups and solidifying the UAE’s position as a regional FinTech hub amid broader sustainable and digital ambitions. Emirates NBD, a prominent banking group in the MENAT region, recently celebrated a two-year milestone for its innovative National Digital Talent Incubator (NDTI)® program by launching its fifth cohort. Since it started, the NDTI initiative has played a crucial role in nurturing Emirati fintech entrepreneurs and helping boost the UAE’s lively FinTech scene, which is currently valued at around USD 46.67 billion and expected…
Sheikh Saqr bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi inaugurates the UAE’s first carbon capture and utilisation plant in Ras Al Khaimah, signalling a significant step towards environmental sustainability and economic diversification within the region. Sheikh Saqr bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who is the Chairman of RAK Ceramics, recently inaugurated the UAE’s very first carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) plant in Ras Al Khaimah. Honestly, this is quite a significant step forward for the emirate’s efforts on sustainability. The plant was set up through a strategic partnership between RAK Ceramics and Gulf Cryo, and it mainly focuses on producing…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has signed a landmark MoU with Google Cloud to leverage AI and cloud computing in revolutionising its energy sector, fostering innovation and supporting the emirate’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has taken a pretty important step in its digital transformation journey, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google Cloud. The goal here is to tap into the latest in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) tech to boost innovation and promote sustainability within the emirate’s energy sector. This move was officially announced during GITEX Global Week 2025,…
Empower has begun construction of its second district cooling plant in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle, incorporating advanced technologies like Thermal Energy Storage and Treated Sewage Effluent to boost efficiency and support Dubai’s environmental goals. Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (commonly known as Empower) has kicked off the construction of its second district cooling plant in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). This move is a key step towards significantly increasing the area’s cooling capacity. Once finished, the new plant will be able to produce around 37,000 refrigeration tonnes (RT), strengthening Empower’s presence and boosting its ability to meet the rising demand…
The UAE’s proactive diplomacy, innovative projects, and strategic partnerships at G20 and COP28 demonstrate its commitment to leading the global shift towards clean, sustainable energy and bridging climate finance gaps. Sharif Al Olama, who serves as the Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, took the lead in a series of top-level bilateral meetings during the G20 Energy Meetings held in South Africa. It really signals how proactive the UAE is when it comes to promoting international cooperation on the global energy transition. These talks included big G20 players like Singapore, Ireland, Germany,…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and Space42 have announced a strategic partnership to enhance resource management through advanced satellite imagery, AI, and IoT, supporting the UAE’s broader sustainability goals amid innovative space initiatives. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) and Space42, a UAE-based company specializing in AI and space tech, have officially formed a strategic partnership aimed at pushing forward geospatial and AI-driven solutions to help manage energy and water resources in Abu Dhabi sustainably. This was unveiled during the Gitex Global 2025 event, where both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), intending to boost the resilience…
Dubai’s DPA unveils Port Eye, an advanced AI-driven drone surveillance system that reduces inspection times, enhances safety, and supports the UAE’s green goals with real-time environmental monitoring. The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), which operates under the larger umbrella of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has recently launched Port Eye—an advanced aerial monitoring system that makes use of autonomous drones combined with artificial intelligence (AI). Honestly, this development is pretty significant because it signals a big step forward in creating smarter, safer, and more sustainable port environments within Dubai’s vast maritime zones. Port Eye is, in many ways,…
Dubai showcases a series of technological breakthroughs at GITEX Global 2025, reinforcing its position as a leader in smart city innovation through AI, IoT, and sustainable solutions aimed at enhancing urban life and government services. Dubai is firmly reinforcing its standing as a global pioneer in smart city innovation, showcasing an impressive lineup of technological breakthroughs at GITEX Global 2025. The event, held at Dubai World Trade Centre, is considered the largest and most influential tech and AI expo in the Middle East, drawing over 6,800 companies and around 2,000 startups from 180 countries. It’s become a key platform that…
Aqaar, the property arm of Ajman Properties Corporation, has signed an MoU with Charge&Go to develop a comprehensive EV charging network across its projects, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban living in Ajman and aligning with the emirate’s ambitious Vision 2030. Aqaar, the property arm of Ajman Properties Corporation, has taken a notable step toward promoting sustainable urban living by signing an MoU with Charge&Go from e&. This was announced at GITEX Global 2025, and the partnership aims to create a wide-reaching electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Aqaar’s main residential and commercial projects in Ajman. According to the…
