8:35 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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Emirates NBD has made a historic move by becoming the first bank from the Gulf Cooperation Council to join the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Financial Services Task Force, positioning itself at the forefront of climate-positive banking practices in the region and globally. Emirates NBD has made quite a notable move in the realm of sustainable finance—actually, it’s quite a first for a bank from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). They’ve become the inaugural GCC bank to join the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s (SMI) Financial Services Task Force. This certainly puts the Dubai-headquartered bank at the cutting edge of pushing forward climate-positive investment…
Sharjah prepares to unite the 29th World Investment Conference with its own Investment Forum 2025, signalling a transformative shift towards sustainable and resilient global investment initiatives amid increasing international collaboration. Sharjah is really gearing up to strengthen its role as a major hub for worldwide investment plans, especially with the upcoming Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) 2025. Interestingly, this event will be held alongside the 29th edition of the World Investment Conference (WIC) for the very first time. The dates are set for October 22nd and 23rd, and the venue is the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre—so, it’s quite a…
Cognite has launched a new entity in Abu Dhabi to foster the growth of industrial AI technologies across the Middle East, aligning with regional ambitions for digital transformation and AI leadership. Cognite, a well-known global provider of industrial AI solutions, recently announced the opening of a new entity in Abu Dhabi, with the goal of speeding up the adoption of industrial AI tech across the Middle East. According to the company, this strategic move responds to the rising demand for digitalisation in industry, especially from big energy and manufacturing companies in the region. The new local center is meant to…
Abu Dhabi is rapidly positioning itself as a leading global centre for artificial intelligence startups, supported by strategic government initiatives, international collaborations, and a burgeoning ecosystem that aims to rival established tech hubs with innovative, sector-specific infrastructure. Abu Dhabi is quickly emerging as a key global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) startups, with its state-backed ecosystem, Hub71, playing a crucial role in attracting and helping scale promising ventures. Launched in 2019 with backing from the sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Hub71 has expanded its AI portfolio to include 53 companies by this year. The emirate seems to be positioning itself—well, at…
Amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges, Gulf Cooperation Council countries are increasingly relying on foreign direct investment to drive diversification, innovation, and integration into global value chains, with the UAE leading the charge in 2024.For over fifty years now, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has largely based its economies on hydrocarbons—fuel for a model driven by government modernization and rapid infrastructure expansion. But, you see, the geopolitical and economic picture in the 21st century—well, it’s definitely reshaping that old legacy. Global investment is becoming more cautious, supply chains are being rebuilt, technology keeps advancing at lightning speed, and tough climate…
Holo secures $22 million to expand its digital mortgage platform across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, driving regional property market transformation through innovative technology and strategic partnerships. Holo, a groundbreaking fintech platform focused on revolutionizing the homebuying process in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has closed a notable $22 million Series A funding round in 2025. This particular round ranks among the biggest Series A raises in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region this year, highlighting strong investor faith in Holo’s fresh approach to simplifying property ownership. The funding was spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s Impact46, a prominent investment firm known…
The NEST, Schneider Electric’s flagship in Dubai Silicon Oasis, completes as a pioneering eco-friendly office integrating advanced technology, human-centric design, and sustainability, marking a significant step forward in green corporate real estate in the Middle East and Africa. Gensler has recently announced that The NEST — Schneider Electric’s landmark 10,000-square-metre flagship office located in Dubai Silicon Oasis — is now fully complete. This project sets a pretty high bar when it comes to sustainable, intelligent workspaces in the Middle East and Africa. More than just a standard office, The NEST actually showcases the future of work, blending advanced tech, human-focused…
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University kicks off its 2025 fall semester with the launch of the new School of Sustainability and Green Economy, signalling a strategic move towards innovation, sustainability education, and digital transformation to support regional climate goals. Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has officially opened its doors for the fall semester of 2025. This marks a pretty important milestone in its ongoing journey toward elevating higher education through innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. This new academic term isn’t just about welcoming students; it also signals a renewed institutional vision—one that’s heavily focused on tackling global and regional…
India’s foreign capital deployment jumps by 67.74% in 2024-25, driven by strategic shifts towards emerging markets, ESG priorities, and domestic reforms, positioning the country as a key player on the global investment stage. India’s outbound investments have seen a dramatic jump in fiscal year 2024-25. According to a recent EY report titled “India abroad: Navigating the global landscape for overseas investment – 2025,” these investments grew by 67.74%, reaching about USD 41.6 billion from USD 24.8 billion the previous year. Along with this impressive increase in capital deployment, the number of overseas investment deals also went up by 15%. This…
Dubai is advancing its position as a global hub for smart city infrastructure by launching a comprehensive digital twin platform to optimise traffic flow, support autonomous transport, and reduce emissions, aiming for full deployment by mid-2026. Dubai is really stepping up its game when it comes to becoming a global hub for smart city infrastructure, especially with its push to incorporate digital twin technology into its transport network. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has teamed up with Yutraffic FUSION, along with key players like Yunex Traffic and local distributor Scientechnic, to roll out this innovative platform across…
