1:20 am - September 2, 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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The new RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre, a collaboration between ADGM Academy and PGIM, marks a significant step in advancing AI and sustainable innovation within the real asset sector, supporting Abu Dhabi’s diversification and Net Zero 2050 goals. The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Academy recently teamed up with PGIM, the global investment management branch of Prudential Financial, Inc., to kick off the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre. This new hub is quite a milestone because it’s actually the region’s very first dedicated space focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable innovations within the real asset industry. It officially opened…
UAE-based Farnek introduces Emirates Carbon, a free, open platform enabling individuals and businesses to measure, manage, and offset their carbon footprints, supporting the country’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions and evolving climate regulations. UAE-based company Farnek, known for its smart and eco-friendly facilities management services, has introduced an exciting new platform called Emirates Carbon. This digital tool is designed to support the region’s increasing focus on sustainability and climate action. And, interestingly enough, it’s free and open to everyone. It provides users with simple, yet powerful, tools to measure and manage their carbon footprints, and even gives direct access to verified…
JBM Electric Vehicles has teamed up with Al Habtoor Motors to introduce a new generation of electric buses across the UAE, supporting the country’s ‘Net Zero by 2050’ initiative and aiming to significantly reduce carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. JBM Electric Vehicles, a division of India’s JBM Auto Ltd, has recently struck a strategic partnership with Al Habtoor Motors, based in the UAE, to roll out a new generation of electric buses across the United Arab Emirates. Basically, this partnership makes Al Habtoor exclusive importer and distributor of JBM’s electric buses within the UAE, meaning they’ll handle everything…
The EVCS industry is accelerating towards a projected value of USD 342 billion by 2032, driven by technological innovations, strategic partnerships, and government policies shaping the future of clean, connected mobility worldwide. The market for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) has really become a key component in the worldwide shift toward cleaner mobility options. Valued at over USD 27 billion in 2023, projections suggest it will grow pretty quickly to more than USD 36 billion in 2024 and, astonishingly, could reach around USD 342 billion by 2032. That’s an eye-popping compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30%, which just…
The tech-focused branch of MAIRE Group has inaugurated a new regional office in Abu Dhabi, signalling a strategic push to support decarbonisation efforts across the Middle East, notably through collaboration on flagship projects like ADNOC’s Hail and Ghasha development. NEXTCHEM, the tech-focused branch of the MAIRE Group, which is dedicated to pushing forward sustainable industrial solutions, has recently expanded its footprint in the Middle East by opening a new regional office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This move is quite a significant milestone for the company as it advances its strategic growth in a region that is increasingly committed to energy…
Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy has approved new emissions data, regulatory frameworks, and innovative projects, signalling significant progress towards its 2050 carbon neutrality goal amid expanding clean energy initiatives. The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (or DSCE, if you prefer) keeps steering Dubai on its bold path toward sustainability and becoming carbon-neutral, pretty much reaffirming its dedication to the UAE’s wider climate goals. Led by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the council held its 90th meeting online in September 2025, and this gathering highlighted key progress in regulations and the way carbon emissions are being managed—everything aligned…
INNOFarms.AI, led by Brajendra Yadav, is transforming the global agriculture landscape with its comprehensive digital platform combining AI, robotics, and IoT to improve efficiency, traceability, and sustainability across diverse farming regions. INNOFarms.AI is quickly establishing itself as a forward-thinking player in the worldwide AgriTech scene, positioning itself right at the cutting edge of agriculture’s digital revolution. Founded and led by Brajendra Yadav, the company is working on what it calls the “digital backbone” for future food systems—using some really advanced tech like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). With operations spread across Asia and the Gulf…
PwC’s new report highlights the urgent need for coordinated policies and infrastructure in the Middle East to maximise electric heavy-duty trucks, promising significant emission reductions and regional economic benefits. PwC Middle East has recently published a report titled “Driving change – the future of sustainable heavy-duty trucks in the Middle East” which looks into just how important electrification might be in cutting down emissions from road freight in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The report predicts that if there aren’t specific incentives in place, new truck sales in this region could be responsible for over 54 million tonnes of…
The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has produced 120 TWh of clean electricity within a year of operating the fourth reactor, marking a significant step towards the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 target and positioning the country as a regional leader in sustainable development. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant really stands out as a major milestone in the UAE’s ambitious push towards climate and energy goals. It’s a pretty clear sign of the country’s dedication to sustainable development and cutting down on carbon emissions. Since the fourth reactor at Barakah started operating, the country has made some serious strides toward its Net…
The UAE is ramping up its climate efforts by engaging private companies and NGOs through new legislation and collaborative initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero by 2050, signalling a shift towards a more sustainable economic model. In a dedicated effort to position the private sector as a key partner in the UAE’s big climate plans, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), working alongside the Emirates Climate Alliance, held a focused session aimed at boosting the role of private companies and NGOs in pushing forward climate action and sustainable growth across the country. This move lines up pretty well with…
