A new 10,000-square-metre greenhouse in Al Ain harnesses AI, hydroponics, and digital monitoring to produce fresh tomatoes year-round, reinforcing the UAE’s push for sustainable, local food production amid climate challenges. A fresh tomato greenhouse in Al Ain is adding yet another piece to the puzzle of the UAE’s efforts to boost local food production, as agritech companies keep investing in controlled-environment farming that’s well-suited for the Gulf’s climate. UNS Vertical Farms, which is part of the Speedex Group, has recently opened a 10,000-square-metre facility aimed at producing roughly 150,000 kilograms of tomatoes each year. The company’s saying this project will…

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has doubled its green financing efforts, mobilising AED 20.3 billion in 2025, signalling a shift towards sustainability becoming central to its growth strategy amid UAE’s broader climate ambitions. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has really stepped up its involvement in the UAE’s growing sustainable finance scene. By the end of 2025, it claims to have mobilized and facilitated about AED 20.3 billion in funding dedicated to sustainability initiatives. That’s quite a jump from the more than AED 17 billion reported at the end of 2024, and it moves the bank closer to its ambitious target…

Recent inspections and investments highlight the UAE’s evolving approach to dam management, turning these structures into key components of a comprehensive water strategy that emphasises rainwater capture, digital monitoring, and infrastructure resilience amid climate change. The UAE’s dams are starting to serve more than just flood-control purposes. Recently, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei emphasized the importance of capturing and making use of rainwater that might otherwise be lost after storms, highlighting a broader, more strategic role for these structures. He was inspecting dams in the Eastern Region, checking how prepared they were, how well they performed during…

As the Gulf accelerates its AI industry, experts warn that water scarcity and climate conditions pose a fundamental obstacle, necessitating innovative, sustainable cooling and resource management strategies. The Gulf’s rapid push into artificial intelligence is running into a hurdle that’s perhaps even more fundamental than computing resources or capital: water. A recent policy brief by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs highlights that the build-out of data centres in the region shouldn’t be viewed purely as an electrical or power issue. Because, frankly, the cooling requirements for these facilities are set to increase fastest during the hottest months, right…

Mubadala’s 2025 report highlights a significant boost to Abu Dhabi’s economy, with new platform launches, regional expansion, and investments in real estate, industrials, healthcare, and renewable energy, signalling an era of strategic growth beyond hydrocarbons. Mubadala announced that in 2025, its investments in the UAE provided a significant boost to the economy, highlighting the role of the state investor, not just as a capital provider but also as a catalyst for scaling up industry, creating jobs, and supporting long-term diversification efforts in Abu Dhabi. Based on their yearly report, Mubadala’s activities added around AED45 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP last…

Dubai’s mosque parking lots are set to become vital components of the city’s expanding electric vehicle infrastructure through a new partnership, blending community spaces with green mobility solutions. Dubai’s mosque car parks are about to become a part of the city’s expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, following an agreement signed between the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) and Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, also known as UAEV. The plan involves installing and operating charging stations at select religious sites across Dubai. This deal grants UAEV temporary rights, initially for eight years, with a possible renewal. During this period, the…

Dubai-based UNS Farms is expanding its controlled-environment agriculture, combining high-tech hydroponics, energy efficiency, and diversified services to revolutionise local food production amid regional climate challenges. UNS Farms is really positioning itself as one of Dubai’s more prominent players in the controlled-environment agriculture scene, mainly using stacked hydroponic systems to provide fresh produce for retailers, restaurants, and households all across the UAE. Founded back in 2018 as part of the Speedex Group, the company states that their Dubai facility covers about 30,000 square feet and is built on eight levels. When operating at full capacity, they claim it can produce as…

Recent government-led conservation initiatives in Egypt, including earlier shop closures and remote working, have successfully reduced power and fuel consumption, enhancing grid stability and signalling a shift towards sustainable energy practices amid regional tensions. Egypt’s electricity and renewable energy ministry reports that recent conservation efforts led by the government have already shown measurable results, helping to reduce pressure on fuel consumption, an important move as Cairo aims to protect its power grid from broader regional and market disruptions. Mansour Abdel-Ghani, spokesperson for the ministry, mentioned to Cairo24 that the country managed to cut peak daily electricity use by roughly 18,000…

The Zayed Sustainability Prize announces a major shift in its funding approach for its 2027 cycle, providing dedicated financial support to all finalists to help scale innovative climate and development solutions beyond recognition into real-world impact. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is expanding its support for innovators in the climate and development space by ensuring funding for every finalist in its 2027 cycle, a move that continues from its approach introduced about a year ago. As per the Prize’s latest announcement, the goal is to shift the program beyond simply handing out awards, and instead develop a longer-term support system for…

Sharjah’s pioneering waste-to-energy facility has processed over a million tonnes of waste since its inception, advancing the UAE’s green energy ambitions and circular economy initiatives with plans to double its capacity in the coming years. Sharjah’s waste-to-energy plant has hit a pretty significant milestone, processing over a million tonnes of waste since it first started functioning. This achievement really highlights the emirate’s push towards reducing landfill use almost entirely. Located within BEEAH’s Waste Management Complex in Al Saja’a, the facility is now being positioned as a key part of Sharjah’s broader circular economy initiatives and as a practical contributor to…