6:28 pm - September 1, 2026Hub71’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…
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has renewed a five-year $300m revolving credit facility with a syndicate of 25 international banks, reinforcing liquidity as it pushes towards 100GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has renewed its five-year $300m revolving credit facility with a syndicate of 25 international…
Abu Dhabi’s TAQA has raised $750 million through a five-year blue bond to fund sustainable water and wastewater projects, the largest such issuance by an integrated power and water utility. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) issued a $750 million blue bond on 30 July to finance sustainable water and…
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…
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…
Expo City Dubai has begun issuing the UAE’s inaugural Green Licences, setting a new standard for sustainability-driven businesses within the country’s Green Innovation District, and signalling a strategic shift towards green economic growth. Expo City Dubai has started issuing the UAE’s very first Green Licences, marking a notable milestone. Six…
Top stories
Abu Dhabi is launching a pioneering initiative to scatter 10 million native seeds across its arid landscapes, aiming to combat land degradation, boost biodiversity, and demonstrate regional leadership in ecological rehabilitation amidst climate challenges. Abu Dhabi is gearing up for what’s arguably one of the most ambitious desert restoration projects in the region. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has announced plans to scatter around 10 million native seeds across the arid landscapes, mainly by air. According to reports from The National, Arabian Business, and Khaleej Times, this campaign aims to tackle land degradation, boost biodiversity, and strengthen the broader…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is expanding the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park beyond 8,000 MW and adding storage and hydropower, pushing clean energy towards 36% of the emirate’s mix by 2030. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) expects the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to exceed 8,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2030, up from an earlier target of 5,000 MW. The solar park is the world’s largest single-site solar plant built under the independent power producer (IPP) model. It has reached 3,860 MW of installed capacity and keeps growing. DEWA uses the IPP model…
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has closed a $5.1bn debt package for a $6.1bn solar-and-storage plant with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company, setting a financing benchmark for uninterrupted clean power. Masdar has reached financial close on its $6.1bn round-the-clock clean energy project in Abu Dhabi, raising $5.1bn in debt from a consortium of international and local banks. The company confirmed the milestone in a statement on 13 July, as reported by The National. Masdar is funding $1bn of equity, with the remaining $5.1bn provided by 13 international and local banks. It is developing the plant with the Emirates Water and Electricity…
Tadweer Group aims to revolutionise Abu Dhabi’s waste system with a comprehensive plan including waste-to-energy, material recovery, digital tracking, and community involvement, targeting an 80% diversion rate from landfills by 2031. Tadweer Group is really making moves to implement a far more ambitious waste management system in Abu Dhabi. They’ve announced an aim to divert a massive 80% of waste away from landfills by 2031, as part of a broader push towards creating a circular economy. Quite an impressive goal, don’t you think? The target, as explained by Ahmed Al Kayyoomi, who’s Tadweer’s executive director of strategy and business performance,…
Abu Dhabi’s Estidama initiative integrates environmental standards with cultural and regional considerations, leveraging digital tools to promote resilient, sustainable urban growth in the face of climate challenges. Estidama, the Arabic word meaning sustainability, has really become one of Abu Dhabi’s most distinctive ideas in urban planning. It was created as part of the emirate’s long-term growth strategy, with a straightforward yet ambitious goal: to support development that enhances quality of life without sacrificing its environmental or cultural identity. The initiative was introduced by Abu Dhabi’s urban planning authorities in order to align growth with the broader economic vision for 2030.…
As AI workloads intensify in the Middle East and South Asia, data centre operators are adopting innovative cooling methods, including liquid and hybrid systems, tailored to harsh climates and high-density demands, transforming regional infrastructure strategies. Across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of South-east Asia, data centre operators are…
Dubai is exploring the potential to convert local organic waste streams into sustainable aviation fuel, aiming to align waste management and aviation decarbonisation efforts amid broader green energy ambitions. Dubai is currently exploring whether its organic waste streams might be turned into a source for sustainable aviation fuel, in a…
The UAE is increasingly integrating science and innovation into its long-term development strategy, with major investments in space exploration, AI infrastructure, and climate technology positioning it as a rising global technological power. From the moment the federation was established, the UAE has viewed science and innovation not just as side…
JA Solar has begun delivering photovoltaic modules for Masdar’s ambitious 24/7 clean energy project in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step towards creating a reliable, continuous renewable power supply supported by massive storage and new technology integration. JA Solar has started sending photovoltaic modules to Masdar’s flagship 24/7 renewable energy…
Deep dive with
our insights
Dubai’s Bustanica farm exemplifies innovative, data-driven indoor agriculture, showcasing how the Gulf is rethinking food production amidst a hotter, drier future by utilising AI, hydroponics, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Dubai’s Bustanica farm has become one of the clearest examples of how the Gulf is rethinking food production for a hotter, drier future. Spanning over 330,000 square feet near Al Maktoum International Airport, this indoor facility grows leafy greens on three levels and produces more than a million kilograms a year, according to Emirates Flight Catering. The company claims that the site uses 95% less water than traditional agriculture, which really gives…
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…
All stories
Astra Mobility Meta and W Motors have announced a partnership to produce 30,000 smart, self-driving electric vehicles over five years, integrating Web3 and decentralised infrastructure to revolutionise regional transport and sustainability efforts. Astra Mobility Meta, which is the UAE-based arm of Robo.ai Inc., recently struck a deal with Dubai’s W Motors Automotive Group. The plan is to develop and produce roughly 30,000 smart electric and self-driving vehicles over the next five years. As per the announcement, this partnership marks quite a significant step—at least in my opinion—toward pushing forward sustainable and intelligent transport solutions that are tailored to fit the…
Dubai Holding has opened applications for its 2025 Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator, a global programme aimed at fostering tech-driven solutions for resource recovery and sustainability, with a focus on shaping a circular economy and supporting the UAE’s environmental goals. Dubai Holding has announced the opening of applications for its 2025 Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator—a prominent global initiative designed to fast-track sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. Developed together with TECOM Group’s in5 incubator, the programme encourages startups and scale-ups around the world to develop innovative solutions that help shift toward a circular economy. This initiative is in line with the…
Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Energy reports a 36.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for 2024, highlighting its efforts to embed sustainability and diversify into lower-carbon sectors amid ongoing industry challenges. Mubadala Energy, a well-known Abu Dhabi-based player in the energy scene, has reported a pretty notable drop in greenhouse gas emissions for 2024. It really highlights how the company is playing a growing part in the world’s shift towards cleaner energy. According to its latest Sustainability Report, they managed to cut their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by about 36.5 percent—that’s emissions coming directly from their own sources and indirectly from…
Du and UAEV have signed a strategic MoU to develop a nationwide EV charging network leveraging advanced digital technology, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions and boosting sustainable mobility across the Emirates. Dubai, UAE – In a pretty significant move aimed at speeding up the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the United Arab Emirates, du, the well-known telecom and digital services provider, has teamed up with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company PJSC (UAEV). The partnership was sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at WETEX 2025, and it aims to combine du’s strong digital infrastructure with UAEV’s experience…
As the UAE ramps up its renewable energy ambitions with ambitious solar and clean energy strategies, experts highlight the rising importance of specialised, compliant energy storage solutions and the critical role of advisory firms in navigating complex supply chains. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has really stepped into the global spotlight when it comes to renewable energy development. They’re pushing forward with bold national and emirate-level plans to speed up the move towards a low-carbon future. One thing that’s truly fueling this shift is the rising need for state-of-the-art Energy Storage Systems (ESS), especially batteries tailored for renewable sources. If…
China Southern Glass (CSG) is set to establish its first overseas smart manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD, signalling a major leap in energy-efficient construction materials and regional industrial growth with environmental ambitions. China Southern Glass (CSG), a global frontrunner in energy-efficient glass and advanced materials, is planning to set up its very first overseas intelligent manufacturing plant in the United Arab Emirates. This is a pretty significant milestone—really—marking a key step forward in the region’s push for industrial growth and sustainability goals. The project, costing AED300 million, will be based in ICAD 1, Musaffah, within the Khalifa Economic Zones…
Moro Hub and Univers have announced a strategic partnership aimed at harnessing AI and IoT to revolutionise energy management in the UAE, focusing on sustainable, smart solutions and regional decarbonisation targets. Moro Hub, the data solutions hub operated under Digital DEWA—the digital branch of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)—has recently cemented an important partnership with Univers, a globally recognized leader in AI and IoT energy solutions. This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at WETEX 2025 held at Dubai World Trade Centre. The aim? To push forward the digital transformation of the UAE’s energy landscape…
BEEAH introduces a new climate-smart facilities management division integrating AI, IoT, and environmental expertise to drive sustainable, net-zero operations across the Middle East’s built environment. BEEAH, a leading name when it comes to sustainability and innovation in the Middle East, has recently expanded its lineup by launching a dedicated facilities management division. This new branch aims to weave its extensive environmental expertise into the fabric of the built environment. Basically, these offerings are designed to support sustainable, net-zero ready operations across various sectors—be it commercial, residential, industrial, or institutional—and showcase a pretty forward-thinking approach to facilities management in the region.…
The United Arab Emirates has submitted its third national plan to reduce aviation emissions, aligning with international efforts and showcasing its leadership in sustainable aviation technology and policy at the ICAO General Assembly and Dubai’s new global fuel framework. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken another important step forward in leading sustainable aviation efforts by submitting the third edition of its National Plan to Reduce Emissions in the Aviation Sector to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This happened during ICAO’s 42nd General Assembly, held in Montreal, Canada—a move that really underscores the UAE’s ongoing dedication to tackling climate…
Fertiglobe’s ammonia plant in Abu Dhabi has integrated a state-of-the-art Hydrogen Recovery Unit from thyssenkrupp Uhde, increasing production by 6% and slashing CO₂ emissions, marking a significant step toward sustainable industry practices. On September 30, 2025, thyssenkrupp Uhde—well-known German experts in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC)—unveiled a cutting-edge Hydrogen Recovery Unit (HRU) at Fertiglobe’s ammonia plant located in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. This retrofit marks a pretty significant leap forward in how efficiently and sustainably ammonia is made, aligning nicely with the UAE’s broader push toward industrial decarbonization. What’s really interesting about the HRU is how it boosts ammonia production—by recovering…
