The UAE is rapidly advancing its green hydrogen strategy, aiming to become a major exporter by 2031, leveraging its desert sun and strategic position to decarbonise industries and boost its economy amid global decarbonisation drives. The UAE is really ramping up its efforts to invest in green hydrogen, viewing it…
The UAE launches a pioneering AI pilot project to reduce energy consumption and enhance resilience in its expanding data centre network, signalling a shift towards smarter, greener infrastructure. The UAE has kicked off some testing of artificial intelligence, aiming to lower energy consumption and boost resilience across its growing data…
A consortium led by Saur and including Etihad WE and TAQA Solutions has signed an innovative long-term deal to upgrade Ras Al Khaimah’s sewage infrastructure, signalling a shift towards private sector involvement in Gulf water services. A group led by French water operator Saur, along with Etihad Water and Electricity…
Procter & Gamble has activated a 500-kilowatt solar carport in Jebel Ali, signalling a significant step towards its Net Zero ambition and exemplifying the rising trend of third-party solar leasing in the Gulf region. Procter & Gamble has gone ahead and activated a 500-kilowatt peak solar carport at their UAE…
RWE signs strategic MoUs with Abu Dhabi energy companies to bolster European energy security through LNG supplies and large-scale battery investments, amid Europe’s push for decarbonisation and diversification. RWE has strengthened its connections with energy companies in Abu Dhabi by signing two memoranda of understanding in the UAE capital, which…
The Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with talabat, launches a pioneering pilot introducing battery swap stations and dedicated EV parking zones to foster sustainable urban logistics and reduce emissions. The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi has recently kicked off a pilot project in collaboration with…
Wärtsilä and Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy are partnering to enhance training, digital tools, and early-stage low-carbon technologies in the Gulf’s maritime industry, aiming to accelerate emission reductions without hindering economic growth. Wärtsilä and the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA) have signed a five-year memorandum with the goal of tackling some…
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Nauticus Robotics plans UAE hub to accelerate autonomous subsea solutions and regional growth
Nauticus Robotics partners with Abu Dhabi’s Master Investment Group to establish a $50 million manufacturing and offshore services hub in the UAE, aiming to fast-track the deployment of autonomous subsea robots in the Middle East by 2026. Nauticus Robotics has entered into a conditional deal with Abu Dhabi-based Master Investment Group that could potentially funnel up to $50 million into setting up an international manufacturing and offshore services hub for autonomous subsea robots in the United Arab Emirates. The deal is being presented as the company’s first overseas manufacturing presence and aims to speed up the rollout of its Aquanaut…
UAE–Japan partnership accelerates transition from lab innovations to market-ready energy solutions
Khalifa University and IEEJ convene senior policymakers and industry leaders in Abu Dhabi to fast-track joint research projects in energy, decarbonisation, and digitalisation, aiming to turn laboratory breakthroughs into commercial realities. Khalifa University of Science and Technology, along with Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics (IEEJ), brought together senior policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders in Abu Dhabi this week for what’s called the 2026 UAE–Japan Industry‑Academia Collaboration Steering Board meeting. It was a closed session, meaning not open to the public, where they went over a multi-year plan aimed at taking lab innovations and pushing them toward practical uses across energy…
The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a major shift in regulatory compliance, adopting advanced digital solutions like AI, blockchain, and integrated platforms to streamline governance, risk management, and reporting, transforming compliance into a strategic business enabler. Across the UAE, the way organizations handle regulatory compliance is shifting , moving away from manual record-keeping and towards integrated digital systems. Businesses that used to depend mainly on spreadsheets and paper trails are now increasingly adopting specialized software solutions to oversee governance, risk management, and regulatory reporting. And honestly, this change isn’t just about technology; it really reshapes how companies organize their operations,…
Abu Dhabi’s TAQA reports resilient full-year results amid increased investments in renewable energy, water, and grid infrastructure, aiming for substantial growth by 2030, as it expands globally and advances large-scale projects. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC, better known as TAQA, shared its full-year results for 2025, which remained pretty resilient despite some big shifts. Not only that, but the company also ramped up its investment plans across power, water, and grid infrastructure, movements it says will help secure regional energy supplies and support its growth targets for 2030. According to a report from Zawya, TAQA pulled in revenues of…
Desert sand turns into low-carbon bricks in UAE's groundbreaking construction innovation
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have developed durable, environmentally-friendly bricks from native desert sand using alkali-activated binders, offering a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions in construction. Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have turned a longstanding challenge in construction into an exciting opportunity for creating lower-carbon building materials. They’ve managed to do this by converting native desert sand into durable masonry units. The team at the University of Sharjah reports that by combining locally sourced sand with alkali-activated binders, they’ve produced bricks that match the strength and durability of traditional cement and fired clay bricks, while significantly lowering…
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On the 29th National Environment Day, the United Arab Emirates showcases its comprehensive efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, blending policy initiatives, biodiversity conservation, and cutting-edge green technology. Tomorrow marks the 29th National Environment Day in the United Arab Emirates , a moment to renew focus on policies and…
ADNOC and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) have completed a 27-year utilities purchase agreement to support the development of the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais, marking a major step towards the UAE’s industrial diversification and low-carbon ambitions. ADNOC and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) have…
Colossal Biosciences secures $60 million from the UAE to establish a pioneering BioVault at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, aiming to preserve biodiversity through innovative genetic repositories and international collaboration. This week, Colossal Biosciences revealed it has secured a $60 million investment from the United Arab Emirates to help establish…
Etihad Rail has tested a pioneering magnetic levitation freight system in the UAE, signalling potential shifts in regional heavy freight movement and infrastructure innovation. Etihad Rail has taken a pretty interesting step that might, you know, change the way heavy freight moves across the Gulf region. They recently carried out…
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AirJoule Technologies and TenX Investment have formalised a regional partnership to deploy atmospheric water generation systems across six Gulf nations, aiming to tackle water scarcity with sustainable solutions amid rapid regional growth. AirJoule Technologies has taken steps to strengthen its presence in the Gulf region by designating TenX Investment as its exclusive distributor across six Middle Eastern countries. Both companies have expressed that this partnership aims to speed up the commercial deployment of atmospheric water generation and industrial dehumidification systems in an area facing significant water scarcity. As reported in a GlobeNewswire release dated February 2, 2026, TenX Investment, a…
Abu Dhabi-based startup SustainPro is pioneering measurable, operational sustainability solutions for the region’s live-events industry, combining hardware, on-site teams, and advanced software to deliver real-time data and verifiable environmental impact reports, aligned with international standards. SustainPro, a startup based in Abu Dhabi and founded by someone from the events industry who later became focused on sustainability, is tackling a fairly persistent issue in the region’s live-events scene. Basically, they’re trying to bridge the gap between good intentions and actually measurable, operational climate outcomes. The company’s approach involves a combination of on-site infrastructure, field teams, and a developing software layer, what…
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Carbon Forward Middle East 2026 aims to position Abu Dhabi as a regional carbon trading hub
The upcoming Carbon Forward Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi is set to solidify the Gulf region’s role in regional and international carbon trading, coinciding with key sustainability events and attracting high-level policymakers and investors. Carbon Forward Middle East 2026 is set to take place in Abu Dhabi from January 14th to 15th, forming part of a broader week full of sustainability-focused events, organizers revealed. This move underscores a clear push to position the Gulf region as a significant hub for regional carbon trading. According to announcements from Famagusta Gazette and those behind the event, Carbon Forward Middle East 2026…
Tabreed and Sparklo launch smart recycling initiative to support UAE’s Net Zero ambitions
Tabreed partners with UAE-based Sparklo to install 16 reverse vending machines across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, incentivising recycling and advancing the country’s circular economy and decarbonisation efforts. Tabreed, which happens to be the biggest district cooling company in the region, has teamed up with UAE-based cleantech company Sparklo to roll out some pretty smart recycling setups across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Essentially, this move aims to weave circular economy practices into everyday life. According to Tabreed, the plan involves installing 16 reverse vending machines, affectionately called Sparklomats, in busy spots. One of these units is already up and running at…
Dubai authorities have unveiled ConTech Valley04, a new innovation hub at Expo City Dubai, aiming to fast-track the adoption of advanced, sustainable construction technologies through real-world testing and international collaboration. Dubai’s authorities have taken steps to speed up the testing and adoption of advanced construction technologies in real-world settings, with plans to establish a ConTech innovation hub at Expo City Dubai. The memorandum of understanding, which was signed by Dubai Municipality and Expo City Dubai for Development and Real Estate, positions this new centre as a kind of living lab for next-gen building techniques and smart urban infrastructure. The announcement…
Colesco’s €1 billion impact fund aims to bridge private credit gap for circular economy and climate tech
Colesco Capital is set to manage an Article 9 private credit fund targeting circular economy and climate transition companies, marking a significant step in scaling impact-driven investment with over €1 billion in commitments from European institutions. Colesco Capital is set to take over the management of an Article 9 private credit fund that finances businesses involved in circular economy efforts and climate transition initiatives. This move will expand its responsible investing platform and, here’s the noteworthy part, bring in over €1 billion of capital commitments to oversee starting from January 1, 2026. According to what ESG News announced, the fund…
The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a major economic transformation in 2025, with non-oil industries such as trade, manufacturing, finance, and services driving unprecedented growth and reshaping the country’s economic landscape. The United Arab Emirates appears to be shifting away from hydrocarbons quite significantly in 2025. This change has been fueled by a broad, multi-sector growth that includes trade, manufacturing, finance, and services, officials say this is really reshaping the whole structure of the economy. According to The Arabian Post, non-oil sectors have been the main engine of growth this year, a view supported by both official ministry data and…
Venture capital shifts as founders and investors prioritise sustainability from the start
Startups and venture funds are increasingly integrating ESG principles into their strategies, transforming early-stage fundraising and driving long-term resilience amid tightening sustainability expectations. During a rather quiet VC dinner in Berlin, a startup founder abruptly paused his pitch and looked over at the investors, asking, “How do you actually define sustainability in your portfolio strategy?” The room fell silent and, interestingly enough, there were two notebooks shut tight on the table, just sitting there. That small moment, but it seemed to carry quite a bit of weight. It really highlighted a shift happening in early-stage fundraising: now, founders are more…
PureHealth launches innovative AI-driven energy savings plan to support UAE’s Net Zero target
PureHealth partners with EPX to implement a multi-year smart energy initiative across UAE hospitals, targeting over 36,000 tonnes of CO₂ reduction and aligning with national sustainability goals. PureHealth has kicked off a multi-year smart energy initiative in partnership with building-analytics firm EPX. The goal? To cut over 36,000 tonnes of CO₂ over the course of seven years and reduce annual energy consumption by more than 13 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) across its network of hospitals and clinics in the UAE. According to what PureHealth announced, these savings are roughly equivalent to removing about 6,500 cars from the roads for an entire…
UAE accelerates climate finance integration with new regulatory toolkit for transition planning
The UAE has unveiled comprehensive guidelines to embed climate considerations into its financial system, marking a significant step towards its 2050 net zero target and reinforcing its position as a global leader in sustainable finance. The United Arab Emirates has taken another step forward in embedding climate considerations into its financial system, most recently with the release of the fourth statement from its Sustainable Finance Working Group. As reported by Al-Ittihad, this statement reaffirms the UAE’s dedication to aligning financial activities with its national climate targets, including the National Green Agenda 2015–2030, the National Climate Change Plan 2017–2050, and the…
ADNOC’s $2 billion green financing deal signals shift towards energy transition support with Korean backing
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) secures a $2 billion green finance deal supported by Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, marking a strategic move to fund emissions-reducing projects amid the global energy transition. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has wrapped up a $2 billion green financing deal, supported by Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, or K-SURE for short. The company says this move will help fund projects that aim to cut emissions across its upstream, downstream, and chemical operations. According to their announcement, the facility was arranged under ADNOC’s Sustainable Finance Framework during Dr. Sultan Al Jaber’s visit to South Korea.…
Goumbook’s regenerative agriculture push aims to transform MENA’s arid farming landscape
Goumbook, a UAE-based social enterprise led by Tatiana Antonelli Abella, has launched the MENA Regenerative Agriculture Initiative to revolutionise food production in arid regions, combining innovative practices, stakeholder networks, and policy support amidst escalating climate challenges. Goumbook, a social enterprise based in the UAE and led by Tatiana Antonelli Abella, is really pushing to change how the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region produces food by building a movement around regenerative agriculture that’s tailored specifically to the region’s needs. As reported by iGrowNews, the organization has shifted gears recently, from focusing mainly on raising awareness and offering corporate…

