2:18 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…
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
Dubai prepares for the expanded 2025 edition of its flagship tech event, unveiling new features focused on sustainability, advanced technology, and digital assets to cement its position as a global innovation hub. Dubai is gearing up to host one of the world’s biggest and most influential gatherings of startups and investors — the Expand North Star 2025 event. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, it will take place from October 12 to 15 at Dubai Harbour. Organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, this year’s event plans to introduce five new major features,…
The United Arab Emirates is rapidly transforming into a leading international financial centre, with Deutsche Bank highlighting the country’s strategic policies, infrastructure, and innovative initiatives driving growth in corporate banking, wealth management, and sustainable finance. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has truly established itself as a significant player in the world of finance, thanks to forward-looking policies, a resilient economy, and sophisticated regulation. According to Majid Jalfar, who is the regional CEO of Deutsche Bank in the UAE and heads up corporate banking for the Middle East and Africa, financial hubs like Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International…
Saudi Arabia launches its first dedicated EO data marketplace, while the UAE drives advanced AI-driven environmental monitoring, signalling a new era of regional innovation in space-based data and climate resilience. Across the Gulf region, Earth Observation (EO) tech has been shifting pretty rapidly—from these niche scientific tools to crucial national assets that help with everything from taking care of the environment to planning big infrastructure projects and making smarter economic choices. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have recently made notable progress in building up their EO ecosystems, really positioning themselves as regional leaders and innovators when it comes to…
The UAE has launched Tahweel, an innovative digital platform designed to revolutionise the trading of recyclable materials, supporting the country’s sustainability and economic growth objectives for 2024–2025. In a significant move to push forward the UAE’s circular economy efforts, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has officially launched Tahweel — which, by the way, is the country’s very first fully integrated digital marketplace dedicated entirely to recyclable materials. This fresh platform was rolled out in partnership with BEEAH, an environmental trailblazer, and really reflects a key part of the UAE’s big plans for 2024–2025. The goal is to…
Despite substantial climate ambitions and cheap clean energy sources, Gulf Cooperation Council countries attracted only 2% of global green foreign direct investment between 2020 and 2024. A new report highlights potential, challenges, and strategic moves necessary to unlock their green investment future. Between 2020 and 2024, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—most notably Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman—managed to secure about $24 billion of the roughly $1 trillion in global green foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, based on a detailed report from Strategy& Middle East. Interestingly enough, despite the region’s impressive climate goals and some of the…
The Middle East and North Africa are experiencing unprecedented growth in electricity demand driven by urbanisation, climate needs, and economic expansion, prompting a major shift towards renewables and smarter infrastructure investments. Electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa—sometimes called MENA—has seen a huge boost over recent decades, with demand tripling since around 2000. And honestly, this upward trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The International Energy Agency, or IEA, predicts that by 2035, the region’s electricity needs will increase by another 50 percent. This shift in the energy landscape really mirrors broader economic and demographic…
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative launches its first Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, attracting international teams to develop innovative water-saving solutions for arid regions, with real-world testing in the UAE set for 2025. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative recently announced a big step forward in its efforts to fight water shortages in farming through something called the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. This competition, which is actually the first one under the larger Al Miyah Challenge program, marks an important move towards encouraging innovative solutions that can cut down on water use in agriculture—while still keeping or even…
The United Arab Emirates reaffirms its commitment to expanding nuclear power as a key component of global climate strategies, highlighting new projects, international partnerships, and innovative financing to lead the clean energy transition. The United Arab Emirates has stood firm in reaffirming its commitment to advancing clean energy worldwide, especially through expanding nuclear power. This was made pretty clear during the recent ministerial Roadmap to New Nuclear conference held in Paris. A whole bunch of energy ministers from over 30 countries, government officials, and industry leaders assembled there to discuss how nuclear energy can become a key part of climate…
The UAE reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable future, showcasing new initiatives in renewable energy, hydrogen tech, and international climate collaborations as it strives for net-zero emissions by 2050. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again shown its leadership when it comes to pushing forward renewable energy and clean tech as a big part of its broader sustainable development vision. Represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the UAE took part in the 15th gathering of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Renewable and New Energy Committee held in Kuwait. Thismeeting, organized by the GCC Secretariat General, zeroed in…
The UAE Cabinet has approved a groundbreaking national policy promoting specialised industry clusters, aiming to enhance economic competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability, alongside key healthcare, environmental, and governance initiatives. The UAE Cabinet, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has officially approved a groundbreaking National Policy for Economic Clusters. This key policy — and honestly, it’s quite a big deal — aims to boost the country’s economic competitiveness by creating specialized industry clusters. These clusters will bring together related sectors that share similar traits and leverage the strengths…
