7:16 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…
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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…
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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…
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Jameel Motors unveils Farizon’s latest range of commercial EVs at a high-profile event, signalling a sharp rise in electric trucking as the UAE’s infrastructure and policies rapidly support sustainable logistics.Jameel Motors, a well-known provider of mobility solutions and a partner to top automotive brands, has recently stolen some attention with a bold move aimed at speeding up the UAE’s transition toward electrified commercial transportation. At an exclusive event held in the UAE, the company introduced Farizon’s latest range of commercial electric vehicles (EVs), which marks a significant broadening of their EV offerings in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly…
Dubai’s Hatta pumped-storage hydroelectric plant begins testing, marking a significant step toward achieving the UAE’s net-zero ambitions with a 250 MW capacity and advanced energy storage methods. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, known as DEWA, has kicked off testing and electricity exporting from its famous pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta. This marks a pretty big milestone for the UAE’s push towards cleaner energy. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the MD and CEO of DEWA, announced that this project is among the largest and most sophisticated renewable energy storage sites in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. It’s got…
The United Arab Emirates prepares to host the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, gathering global environmental leaders to accelerate biodiversity protection and sustainable development initiatives in a landmark event at Abu Dhabi’s ADNEC. The United Arab Emirates is preparing to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2025, marking a significant milestone for global efforts in environmental conservation. Scheduled to take place from October 9th to 15th at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this landmark event is expected to gather more than 1,400 IUCN member organizations, along with ministers, scientists, indigenous leaders, youth representatives, civil society members, and…
Abu Dhabi prepares for ADIPEC 2025, a major global energy event emphasising artificial intelligence, decarbonisation, and innovation, with record-breaking attendance and industry shifting dynamics. Abu Dhabi is gearing up to reaffirm its position as a global center for energy innovation and technology, with the upcoming ADIPEC 2025 event, scheduled from November 3 to 6 at the ADNEC Centre. This major gathering is taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and is organized by ADNOC. The event arrives at a time of significant shifts worldwide in the energy landscape—particularly due to…
The Zayed Sustainability Prize has unveiled its 2026 finalists, featuring 33 innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate rapid, community-driven solutions to key environmental and social challenges, emphasising the evolving understanding of sustainability as an urgent and actionable goal. The Zayed Sustainability Prize, a prominent initiative based in the UAE that recognizes innovative solutions tackling global challenges, has announced the 33 finalists for its 2026 awards. These outstanding projects were selected from a really competitive pool of 7,761 submissions coming from 173 different countries. The finalists showcase groundbreaking work in key areas essential to sustainable development—clean energy, safe water,…
Dubai is rapidly transforming its property sector, shifting from luxury skyscrapers to eco-friendly, smart city initiatives that attract international investment and set new standards in sustainable urban living.Dubai is moving swiftly to reshape its real estate scene, shifting away from just the image of luxury skyscrapers and flashy lifestyles towards a more sustainable, environmentally conscious future. This change really mirrors global priorities—climate change, urban resilience—and it positions Dubai as a trailblazer in sustainable city development. The emirate’s push to create greener, smarter living spaces has grabbed international attention and attracted investment, making it a significant player in the worldwide movement…
Masdar and Etihad Rail have signed an MoU to explore integrating green hydrogen logistics into the UAE’s expanding rail network, potentially transforming energy supply chains and accelerating the country’s low-carbon economy. Masdar and Etihad Rail have taken a pretty big step forward in strengthening the UAE’s growing low-carbon economy—they recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore how green hydrogen logistics could be integrated into the country’s expanding rail network. This announcement, which was made during the Global Rail Transport and Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi, is a strategic move to tackle one of the main…
Masdar City near Abu Dhabi has launched the region’s first geothermal cooling plant, marking a significant step toward sustainable air conditioning in one of the hottest parts of the world, and demonstrating the potential for renewable solutions to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The cooling demands in the Persian Gulf—especially in the UAE—are among the toughest energy challenges around. Air conditioning in the UAE isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity, making up as much as 70% of the country’s electricity use. To tackle this, Masdar City near Abu Dhabi has become a sort of testing ground for new…
Dubai partners with Parkin to add 100 new EV chargers across key locations, advancing its green mobility strategy and reinforcing its position as a global sustainability leader. Dubai is steadily pushing forward its vision of becoming a global leader in sustainable mobility, and a recent example of that effort is a pioneering partnership between the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Parkin Company. The signing of a strategic contract between these two organizations marks an important milestone in extending the city’s public electric vehicle (EV) charging network, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to cutting down carbon emissions and encouraging greener transport…
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has used the advanced underwater robot Nautilus MK2 from S2 Robotics in a groundbreaking repair operation, signalling a shift towards safer, autonomous subsea infrastructure management. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, has taken a pretty bold step recently—by choosing Thai–Norwegian firm S2 Robotics to deploy their underwater robot, the Nautilus MK2, for an urgent inspection and repair mission on a corroded subsea oil pipeline. Honestly, this is a huge deal because it’s the very first time this high-tech system has been used in operational conditions, which really signals a new chapter in…
