The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) has finalised a AED35 million project to extend natural gas services to residential districts in Dibba Al Hisn, marking a significant step in the emirate’s push for cleaner, more sustainable energy infrastructure. The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority has wrapped up…
As Abu Dhabi marks Union Pledge Day, energy officials highlight the ongoing commitment to sustainable growth, technological innovation, and resilience, building on the UAE’s founding principles to meet future challenges. On Union Pledge Day, Abu Dhabi’s energy leaders framed the occasion as both a celebration of the UAE’s founding and…
Huawei’s new FusionSolar 9.0 platform aims to revolutionise utility-scale solar projects across the Middle East by integrating advanced grid-forming technology, digital management tools, and lifecycle performance enhancements to meet the region’s evolving energy demands. Huawei’s Digital Power division has rolled out its FusionSolar 9.0 Smart PV Solution in Dubai, leveraging…
The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, reflecting significant investments and policy shifts towards sustainability, including waste management, biodiversity, and renewable energy expansion. The UAE has become the highest-ranked Arab nation in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index , and honestly, that really highlights…
Naseej advances its mission to create a sustainable textile sector in the UAE through 14 strategic collaborations spanning public and private sectors, aiming to develop a comprehensive circular economy model with pilot projects and policy support. Naseej’s drive to develop a circular textile economy in the UAE has now moved…
Positive Zero’s new loan facility marks the first of its kind in the Middle East, signalling increasing confidence in decentralised renewable projects across the GCC as part of the region’s energy transition. Positive Zero has successfully secured a $375 million loan facility, a move that will bolster decentralised energy infrastructure…
As UAE’s insurance industry adopts AI-driven ESG scores, companies face a new era of risk management where sustainability performance directly influences coverage and costs, aligning with national climate goals and transforming underwriting practices. For many years now, corporate insurance underwriting in the UAE has been built on tried-and-true pillars: balance…
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Abu Dhabi creates the most detailed oyster bed map to support marine conservation and climate goals
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has completed an extensive survey mapping 334 oyster beds across the emirate’s waters, integrating traditional knowledge with advanced scientific techniques to bolster ecological and climate resilience efforts. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has recently wrapped up a multi-year project to map out oyster beds across the emirate’s marine waters , and, according to them, it’s now the most detailed scientific record of this habitat’s distribution to date. The survey was initially designed in 2022 and then carried out between 2023 and the end of 2025. It brought together old knowledge and modern field…
Energy companies in the UAE are being advised to act quickly and document their R&D activities meticulously to capitalise on the country’s new tax incentives, as delays could cost millions. The regime, launching in 2026, offers up to 50% tax credits for qualifying innovative projects in the hydrocarbons sector, contingent on staffing and proper approval processes. Energy companies operating in the UAE are being encouraged to act quickly if they want to capture some value from the country’s new research and development tax credit, as advisers warn that delaying could leave them with millions of dirhams unclaimed. The regime, which…
Dubai’s water strategy accelerates with global partnerships and innovative desalination technologies
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is expanding its international ties and adopting cutting-edge, renewable-powered desalination methods as part of its long-term water resilience and climate goals, positioning the emirate as a global leader in sustainable water management. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is really stepping up its ties with the World Water Council as the emirate sharpens its long-term plans for water security, efficiency, and low-carbon desalination. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s managing director and CEO, recently met with Loïc Fauchon, the president of the World Water Council, right in Dubai. They discussed what both sides describe as…
BEEAH and Etihad Water and Electricity have signed a joint agreement to expand sewage treatment capacity in Sharjah, signalling a shift towards integrated and sustainable water resource management in the UAE. BEEAH and Etihad Water and Electricity have recently come to an agreement to collaborate on expanding sewage treatment capacity in Sharjah, a move that highlights how wastewater is increasingly becoming a more strategic part of the UAE’s water system. The two organisations, through EtihadWE’s development and investment division, signed a Joint Development Agreement. This covers not just the operation of existing treatment assets but also plans to expand the…
UAE's RAINLAND project explores land modifications to stimulate rainfall in dry climates
The UAE’s latest scientific initiative, RAINLAND, investigates whether altering land cover and terrain could influence rainfall, marking a shift towards understanding land-atmosphere interactions for water security in dry regions. The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has rolled out its sixth cycle project, called RAINLAND. This new initiative pushes beyond the usual focus on cloud microphysics and delves into how land itself might influence rainfall. Basically, it’s about exploring whether altering land cover and terrain could actually encourage rain under specific atmospheric conditions. The project, formally named “Rainfall Enhancement through Modification of Land Cover and Land Form,” was announced…
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The UAE has unveiled the Global Youth Envoys for Water initiative, aiming to empower young leaders from vulnerable regions to influence global water governance ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has introduced a new initiative aimed at involving younger voices in global water diplomacy,…
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…
The Dubai Future Foundation’s fifth edition of its foresight report emphasises actionable strategies and global collaborations to capitalise on technological and systemic opportunities shaping the future of the UAE and beyond. The Dubai Future Foundation has recently published the fifth edition of its flagship foresight report, broadening its focus on…
Masdar has reached financial close on a landmark $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, aiming to deliver around-the-clock renewable power and reinforce the UAE’s shift towards sustainable energy. Masdar has officially reached financial close on a massive $6.1 billion solar and battery storage project in Abu…
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A Dubai-based biotech firm is turning date palm residues into biofertilisers, boosting crop yields and soil health for thousands of small farmers, as part of a broader push towards a circular economy and climate resilience in the region. Dubai’s efforts to turn agricultural waste into a climate-smart business seem to be gaining real momentum, with a biotech start-up now transforming date palm residues into biofertilisers , a move that’s boosted crop yields, improved soils, and brought thousands of small farmers into a more circular production cycle. The company, called B-Vita, has been recognised as part of Dubai Future Solutions –…
Scientists in the UAE are exploring the possibility of using large-scale solar photovoltaic installations not only to produce energy but also to influence local atmospheric conditions and trigger rainfall, offering a novel approach to water scarcity in desert regions. Water is increasingly taking centre stage in the climate and technology debates, and the UAE is testing out an idea , honestly, it sounds more like science fiction than straight-up infrastructure , that involves using massive solar parks to help generate rain. The bigger picture here is rather stark, actually. According to the World Resources Institute, domestic water demand has skyrocketed…
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Improving UAE air quality could save $596 million annually and prevent thousands of deaths
UAE: New research reveals that aligning with WHO air quality standards could save the UAE $596 million annually, prevent nearly 4,000 premature deaths, and significantly benefit lower-income groups, highlighting urgent health and environmental challenges despite recent improvements. Efforts to improve air quality in the UAE have yielded significant benefits, with a recent report estimating that meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on air pollution could save the country around $596 million annually. This figure reflects potential reductions in respiratory illnesses, hospital admissions, and premature deaths, reinforcing the urgent need to address air pollution as a critical public health challenge.…
Dubai: Climate tech firm WaHa raises $8 million in Series A-1 funding to scale its patented WaHa Vaporator® atmospheric water generation technology, enhancing sustainable water solutions for arid GCC regions and partnering with Dicode Technologies ahead of WETEX 2024. Water scarcity continues to pose a significant challenge globally, particularly in arid regions such as the UAE and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Addressing this critical issue, Water Harvesting (WaHa), a climate technology company, has recently completed an $8 million Series A-1 financing round aimed at accelerating its global growth and advancing its atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology. The…
Abu Dhabi advances Level 4 autonomous vehicle trials in Masdar City and expands RoboTaxi service
Abu Dhabi: The Integrated Transport Centre leads advanced Level 4 autonomous vehicle trials in Masdar City, integrating a 2.4km test route with key landmarks. Simultaneously, the Autonomous RoboTaxi service expands across Yas, Saadiyat Islands and airport routes, aiming for 25% of trips by 2040 as part of smart and sustainable urban mobility. The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi is leading a pioneering initiative to register, rigorously test, and operationally approve autonomous vehicles (AVs), ensuring these innovations meet stringent safety and compliance standards. This effort aligns tightly with Abu Dhabi’s broader vision for smart mobility, underpinning the emirate’s…
UAE: California-based WaHa closed an $8 million Series A-1 round to clear debt and expand deployment of its patented Vaporator® atmospheric water generators. Validated by Khalifa University, the technology will target water-scarce GCC markets with strategic UAE partnerships and a commercial launch planned for late 2025. Water Harvesting Inc. (WaHa), a California-based climate technology company, has successfully closed an $8 million Series A-1 funding round, a milestone that coincides with a founders’ reorganisation process. The round was spearheaded by Mike Phillips, WaHa’s Chairman of the Board, and Christian Thérion, a board member, and involved participation from significant investors including Berkeley…
DEWA pioneers AI-native smart grid with $1.9bn investment to slash power outages and boost sustainability
Dubai: DEWA accelerates its AI-driven smart grid transformation with a AED 7 billion ($1.9bn) investment, achieving world-leading efficiency and reliability in electricity distribution, deploying full smart metering, and advancing the UAE’s sustainability targets through innovative technologies like Virtual Power Plants. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is accelerating its digital transformation by embedding artificial intelligence (AI) deeply into its energy distribution operations. This effort is part of a broader vision to enhance operational efficiency, service reliability, and customer satisfaction, all integral to supporting Dubai’s rapid economic and urban growth. Central to this transformation is DEWA’s smart grid, which benefits…
UAE: BYD has partnered with Safeline Group and Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility to launch a full fleet electrification journey, supplying 12 all-electric vehicles as part of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and expanding electric commercial transport in the region. BYD has taken a significant step in advancing sustainable transport in the UAE by signing a landmark agreement with Safeline Group to supply 12 all-electric vehicles. This collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 2, marks the beginning of Safeline Group’s full transition to electric mobility, reflecting a broader regional shift towards environmentally friendly transportation. Facilitated by…
Archer completes first Midnight eVTOL test flight in Abu Dhabi amid UAE’s push for urban air mobility
Abu Dhabi: Archer Aviation has successfully completed the inaugural test flight of its Midnight eVTOL aircraft under UAE environmental conditions, advancing preparations for commercial urban air taxi services. The flight highlights Abu Dhabi’s ambition to lead in advanced air mobility through partnerships and infrastructure development. Archer Aviation has marked a significant milestone with the successful completion of the first test flight for its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi on 2 July 2025. The test was conducted under UAE-specific environmental conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and dust, as part…
Amazon Basin: Over 1,500 officers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and UAE arrested 94 suspects and seized $64m in assets during Operation Green Shield, targeting illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, logging and fuel smuggling in indigenous and remote areas of the Amazon rainforest. Assets valued at over $64 million were seized and 94 individuals arrested in a significant multinational law enforcement operation aimed at combatting environmental crime in the Amazon Basin. This ambitious campaign, called Operation Green Shield, was coordinated by the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Interior through the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), a platform…
Dubai: The UAE is rapidly transforming its energy sector through major investments in solar power, nuclear energy, and green hydrogen, aiming for 30% clean energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, while creating 50,000 green jobs and boosting economic diversification. The United Arab Emirates, historically known for its oil wealth, is undergoing an ambitious transformation to establish itself as a global leader in renewable energy. This shift is powered by long-term strategic planning and substantial investment, aimed at securing economic stability, environmental resilience, and a sustainable future for both residents and businesses in the region. Central to this…
Aed Energy secures Catalyst investment to scale thermal storage across MENA from Masdar City
Abu Dhabi: Aed Energy has received major funding from Catalyst, backed by Masdar City and bp, to expand its long-duration thermal energy storage in the MENA region, opening a new office in Masdar City and targeting reliable clean baseload power and water solutions. Aed Energy has secured a significant investment from Catalyst, an accelerator backed by Masdar City and bp, aimed at scaling climate technologies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This funding is poised to bolster Aed Energy’s regional expansion and accelerate the deployment of its long-duration thermal energy storage systems, addressing a critical gap in…

