3:20 pm - October 18, 2026Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has begun a four-week Dubai autonomous transit trial at Bluewaters, testing driverless electric pods on a dedicated guideway that could shape future clean mobility links across the emirate. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 11 October the start of a four-week trial of…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority will host the emirate’s first Dubai electric vehicle exhibition and conference from 10 to 12 November, with more than 300 participants and 10,000 visitors expected at the trade centre. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on 4 October that it will organise the inaugural…
Holcim UAE and 44.01 have formally commissioned the UAE’s first industrial Fujairah carbon capture pilot, which stores cement plant CO2 in underground rock and gives heavy industry a working template for Net Zero 2050. Holcim UAE and carbon storage company 44.01 officially commissioned the UAE’s first live-condition carbon capture and…
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has introduced mandatory emissions verification rules requiring high-emitting facilities to register, report and use accredited verifiers under a new digital tracking system. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has issued a resolution making emissions verification compulsory for facilities in the emirate’s highest-emitting sectors,…
UAE green sukuk issuance fell to zero in the first half of 2026, Moody’s said, down from 1.7 billion US dollars a year earlier, as GCC issuers pulled back and awaited a second-half recovery. UAE green sukuk issuance dropped to zero in the first half of 2026, according to a…
Emirates Water and Electricity Company projects Abu Dhabi carbon emissions falling by more than 45% by 2035, as solar capacity expands to over 35 gigawatts and battery storage reaches up to 15 gigawatts. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) announced on 21 September a forecast cut in Abu Dhabi carbon…
Nasdaq-listed Beam Global has signed a memorandum of understanding with Masdar City Free Zone to bring off-grid EV charging and energy storage technology into the Masdar City ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. Beam Global (Nasdaq: BEEM) and its regional arm, Beam Middle East, have signed a memorandum of understanding with Masdar…
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Abu Dhabi solar capacity is set to expand by 3GW a year, the emirate’s energy chief says, as its clean energy share hits 47% and desalination shifts to reverse osmosis by 2035. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has set out plans to add 3GW of solar capacity a year, backed by round-the-clock battery storage, as part of a decade-long shift that has already lifted the emirate’s clean energy share, including nuclear, from 1% to 47%. In a 17 September interview, department chairman Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan said the emirate would keep expanding Abu Dhabi solar capacity while pushing almost all…
Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University have opened a pilot plant near Al Ain that converts food waste to biogas and compost, testing whether packaging waste can be processed alongside it too. Emirates Biotech and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have launched a joint pilot project to convert food waste to biogas and compost at what they describe as the UAE’s first integrated organic-waste valorisation plant. Sited near UAEU’s Al Ain campus, the plant will process up to 40kg of organic waste a day. The partnership was launched at UAEU with value-chain stakeholders including the Emirates Environmental Group, Hotpack,…
Dubai Municipality has launched an Existing Buildings Greening Guide, giving owners, operators and investors a practical framework for green building retrofits that cut energy and water use and emissions. Dubai Municipality has launched an Existing Buildings Greening Guide across the emirate on 16 September, giving building owners, operators, consultants and investors a practical roadmap for green building retrofits that improve environmental and operational performance. The civic body said the guide supports its wider objectives for sustainable urban development and a better quality of life across Dubai. The guide sets out best practice for green building retrofits while balancing sustainability requirements…
The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative has signed a two-year partnership with the World Economic Forum to accelerate UAE water innovation and connect solutions with the financing and markets needed to scale them. The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative announced on 15 September that it has signed a partnership agreement with the World Economic Forum to speed the adoption and deployment of practical water solutions, extending the Abu Dhabi initiative’s reach into the global water innovation ecosystem. The agreement runs for two years, through September 2028, and centres on closing a persistent gap between promising water technologies and the financing,…
Khalifa University has launched a UNESCO Chair on Global Water Resilience, uniting research, policy and industry to strengthen UAE water security ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December. Khalifa University has established the UNESCO Chair on Global Water Resilience, Innovation and Sustainable Solutions, a UAE-anchored platform intended to connect scientific research with policy and industry on water treatment, desalination, wastewater reuse and governance. The university announced the Chair on 30 June, framing it as a direct contribution to UAE water security ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which the UAE co-hosts with Senegal in Abu…
Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told WAM the UAE has lifted its combined nuclear and renewables target to 35% by 2030-2031, saying new plants and private competition will deliver it.
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development wants to mobilise $2bn by 2030 through its Global Water Platform, half of it the Fund’s own money, to reach 10 million people with safe water. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has named the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform as the main…
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…
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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 in 2019, according to figures published on 8 June in the hub’s 2025 Impact Report. The same companies generated $1.5bn (AED 5.4bn) in revenue over the period. The totals mark a milestone in the emirate’s drive to build a diversified, innovation-led economy. The figures point to a startup base with…
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 Duqm, which really highlights just how crucial water infrastructure has become for the region’s emerging low-carbon heavy industry sector. The Centralised Utilities Company for the Special Economic Zone at Duqm will handle the financing and development of this facility, and it’s meant to serve Meranti Green Steel’s upcoming iron project,…
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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…
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…
