3:00 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 United Arab Emirates University has secured a US patent for a new metal-CO2 battery, promising a major leap in sustainable energy and carbon emission reduction amid regional innovation efforts. The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has recently secured a U.S. patent for a truly groundbreaking battery technology. This new battery—called the Metal-Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Battery Cell—has the potential to boost sustainable energy efforts by transforming carbon dioxide (CO2) into both electricity and useful chemical products. Basically, it’s a significant step forward in clean energy tech, tackling carbon emissions head-on with a zero-gap flow-type metal-CO2 battery. This design outperforms traditional…
BEEAH’s groundbreaking Khalid Bin Sultan City in Sharjah marks the UAE’s first net-zero, smart community, blending innovative architecture with sustainability to set a new standard for future urban living. BEEAH, a company based in Sharjah that’s really leading the way in sustainability and digital innovation—maybe you’ve heard of them—has officially kicked off Phase One of Khalid Bin Sultan City. This is their first major real estate project and, honestly, it’s set to be a real game-changer for urban living in the UAE. Khalid Bin Sultan City aims to be a pretty big step forward in developing communities that are climate-smart…
AVZ’s innovative GreenTrans Solar Bus System utilises bus rooftops to generate renewable energy, reducing emissions and supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions with advanced AI technology and sustainable design. In a notable step forward for sustainable public transportation, the UAE-based tech company AVZ has rolled out the GreenTrans Solar Bus System—a clever idea that turns vehicle rooftops into sources of renewable energy. Essentially, this system captures solar power, aligning pretty well with the UAE’s bold Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero 2050 plans, which aim to cut down carbon emissions significantly and push for more green energy use across…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority partners with Terra Tech to establish the MENA region’s first battery-swapping stations for electric bikes, shaping a greener future for urban logistics. Dubai is stepping up its efforts toward smarter, more sustainable urban mobility. Recently, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced plans to set up battery-swapping stations for electric bikes all around the emirate. This move—quite notably—is a regional first, aiming to give a fresh shake-up to the delivery industry by offering an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel-powered vehicles. The project, to be carried out in partnership with Terra Tech Ltd—a start-up…
Masdar City in Abu Dhabi accentuates its global status as a model of sustainable urban growth, showcasing significant environmental, social, and technological advancements in its latest ESG report, including energy reductions, community inclusion, and cutting-edge green projects. Masdar City, located in Abu Dhabi, is quite famous as a forward-thinking, sustainable urban community and an economic free zone. Recently, it reinforced its position as a global leader in sustainable urban development by releasing its third Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. This report really highlights how committed the city remains to weaving sustainability, innovation, and community together—quite closely aligned with the…
The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority reports a surge in renewable energy sources being integrated into regional power grids, signalling a strategic shift towards sustainability and energy security aligned with Vision 2030 and global climate commitments. The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) has reported about 53 instances of renewable energy being integrated into its interconnected electrical networks. This really points to a noticeable acceleration in how the Gulf countries are working towards cutting back on fossil fuels. Interestingly enough, this aligns quite well with the big-picture climate and sustainability goals set out in each of the GCC nations’ Vision…
Lootah Biofuels’ launch of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the UAE signifies a major step towards cleaner air travel, aligning with regional efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 amidst growing industry collaborations and technological innovation. Lootah Biofuels has taken a pretty significant step forward in the UAE’s push for greener aviation by launching Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF, into the local market. This move, announced just ahead of the Dubai Airshow 2025, actually puts Lootah among the relatively few regional suppliers offering SAF—something that really lines up with the country’s ambitions to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and…
Abu Dhabi has issued its first official vehicle license for a self-driving delivery vehicle as part of a pilot program aimed at transforming urban logistics and advancing its smart transport ambitions. Recently, Abu Dhabi hit a pretty noteworthy milestone in its ongoing efforts toward smarter mobility—by issuing its very first official vehicle license plate for a self-driving delivery vehicle. Yeah, you read that right. This is part of a pilot program launched in partnership with K2, a major player in the autonomous systems space, and EMX, which is actually the logistics arm of 7X. The vehicles, which are developed by…
Twenty-one international teams progress in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative’s Al Miyah Challenge, showcasing diverse solutions to reduce water use in farming amidst global drought concerns. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has hit an important milestone—the announcement that 21 teams have advanced to the next phase of the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. This is actually the first competition within its bigger umbrella program, the Al Miyah Challenge. The contest is a global one, aiming to find innovative ideas that can help cut down water use in farming, all while keeping or even boosting crop yields. It’s a…
The 29th IRENA Council in Abu Dhabi will discuss diversifying renewable supply chains, boosting investment in sustainable aviation fuels, and strengthening global cooperation amidst geopolitical tensions, steering the energy transition towards resilience and inclusivity. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is gearing up for its 29th Council meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on September 11, 2025. Over two days, more than 400 government officials from IRENA’s 169 member countries along with representatives from the European Union will gather for what’s expected to be a pretty significant set of strategic discussions. This kind of biannual meeting…
