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…
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’s ambitious desert restoration project aims for large-scale ecological revival
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…
Abu Dhabi’s Tadweer sets ambitious target to divert 80% of waste from landfills by 2031 with new infrastructure
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,…
Estidama reshapes Abu Dhabi’s sustainable urban development with regional flair and digital innovation
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.…
Register for Nexus Climate Newsletter
Stay ahead of the curve with our newsletter that includes Editor's Picks – your regular insight into the trends, challenges, and innovations driving UAE climate technology
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
Thyssenkrupp Uhde's hydrogen recovery tech boosts Fertiglobe's ammonia plant efficiency and sustainability in UAE
Thyssenkrupp Uhde has successfully installed a state-of-the-art Hydrogen Recovery Unit at Fertiglobe’s Ruwais plant, enhancing ammonia output while reducing emissions and advancing the UAE’s green industrial goals. Thyssenkrupp Uhde has successfully brought online a cutting-edge Hydrogen Recovery Unit (HRU) at Fertil’s plant over in Ruwais, in the UAE. The plant belongs to Fertiglobe, which is a big player globally in producing ammonia and urea, and they’ve got a pretty clear focus on sustainable ammonia solutions. This project really marks a notable step forward in developing energy-efficient and lower-carbon ways to produce ammonia in the region. The new HRU uses some…
UAE’s ambitious railway plans and Global Rail 2025 showcase sustainable transport leadership
The United Arab Emirates is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable transportation through its ambitious railway projects and hosting of the upcoming Global Rail 2025 Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, highlighting its commitment to innovation and environmental goals. The United Arab Emirates is really making a name for itself as a global leader when it comes to sustainable transportation. It’s doing this with its ambitious National Railway Programme and, interestingly enough, by preparing to host the upcoming Global Rail 2025 Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure,…
LuLu Group partners with Positive Zero to install extensive solar energy systems across Dubai facilities, marking a significant step in the UAE’s retail sector’s shift towards net zero emissions by 2050, and demonstrating the profitable potential of green energy adoption. LuLu Group, one of the UAE’s major retail giants, has made a pretty significant move in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts by rolling out a big solar energy project across several of its key facilities in Dubai. It’s a pretty forward-thinking plan—kind of exciting, really—done in partnership with Positive Zero, a renewable energy company. This initiative clearly shows…
GeoMap Middle East uncovers transformative potential of geothermal energy amid rising cooling needs
Project InnerSpace’s new GeoMap Middle East tool highlights vast geothermal opportunities in the Gulf region, poised to reshape energy and cooling solutions in one of the world’s hottest and fastest-growing regions. Project InnerSpace has introduced GeoMap Middle East, a new and innovative geothermal exploration tool that emphasizes the significant potential of geothermal energy for cooling, energy storage, and power generation in the Gulf region and beyond in the Middle East. This latest addition expands GeoMap’s global reach, which already includes areas like Africa, North America, India, Asia, and Oceania. What’s truly exciting about GeoMap Middle East is that it points…
Dubai’s ENOC Group is set to unveil the UAE’s first biodiesel production plant, alongside smart fuel management and innovative sustainability projects at WETEX 2025, reinforcing the nation’s transition to a greener economy. ENOC Group, a well-known integrated global energy company owned by Dubai’s government, is gearing up to showcase a bunch of exciting sustainability and renewable energy projects at the 27th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), happening from September 30 to October 2, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. As one of the principal sponsors, ENOC plans to make the most of this prominent stage—hosted by Dubai…
Abu Dhabi unveils ambitious autonomous pod and light rail projects to revolutionise mobility
Abu Dhabi is set to transform its transportation landscape with innovative projects like autonomous Urbanloop pods and a new light rail network, aiming for smarter, greener urban mobility by 2030.Abu Dhabi’s transportation scene is about to see some pretty big changes, thanks to two new projects launched by the Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC). Announced at the Global Rail 2025 conference, these initiatives show how the emirate is aiming to build a smooth, sustainable, and high-tech transport system — all in line with its goals for climate neutrality and city expansion. One of the main highlights is the Urbanloop system,…
Dubai-based Climaty AI raises $2 million to expand its climate-conscious marketing platform, harnessing Agentic AI to optimise campaigns and reduce carbon footprints globally. Dubai-based startup Climaty AI recently secured $2 million in early-stage funding, aiming to speed up the development of its sustainable marketing tech solutions powered by Agentic AI. The funding round was led by Turbostart, a well-known venture capital and accelerator fund with a global reach, and it also included participation from AI experts and angel investors. Founded in 2024 by Neel Pandya—who has a solid background in AI-driven marketing technology—Climaty AI’s goal is to transform digital marketing…
Dubai-based startup Aydi has raised $7.5 million to develop Orth, an AI-powered agronomy assistant set to transform global farming practices by providing accessible, data-driven insights to growers worldwide amidst rising climate and economic challenges. Dubai-based agritech startup Aydi has recently raised $7.5 million in seed funding with the goal of launching and scaling Orth—an AI-powered agronomy assistant that’s set to change the game for farmers all over the world. The funding round was co-led by COTU Ventures, Daltex, and Nuwa Capital, with additional participation from Magrabi Agriculture and Foundation Ventures. This milestone marks a big step forward for Aydi as…
FIA Extreme H World Cup marks first hydrogen-powered international motorsport event in Saudi Arabia, with plans for UAE
The inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in Saudi Arabia signifies a groundbreaking milestone as the world’s first international racing series powered entirely by hydrogen, spotlighting the Middle East’s leading role in green energy innovation and sustainable mobility. There are plans to expand to the UAE. The very first FIA Extreme H World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, from October 9 to 11, 2025, really marks a pretty exciting milestone at the crossroads of green mobility and motorsport. This event is notably the world’s first international motor racing series powered entirely by hydrogen. It’s a…
Ras Al Khaimah partners with Joby Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure to develop the UAE’s inaugural electric air taxi service, promising faster, greener travel by 2027 as part of the emirate’s ambitious mobility plan. The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, or RAKTA for short, has teamed up with Joby Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure to create what’s shaping up to be the UAE’s very first passenger air taxi service — and they aim to have it up and running by 2027. Basically, this initiative is part of Ras Al Khaimah’s broader Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, and it really signals a big step…

