Dubai’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 launches new guide to speed green building retrofits across the emirate
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…
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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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Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund launches new hub to accelerate UAE’s high-tech startups
Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund reinforces the UAE’s national innovation drive with AED 2 billion committed to startups via loan guarantees and an accelerator, now bolstered by a new Dubai headquarters and strategic partnerships to scale high-impact tech ventures. In the UAE’s pursuit of a future defined by innovation and technological advancement, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) stands as a cornerstone initiative. Established by the Ministry of Finance and managed alongside the Emirates Development Bank, this federally backed fund allocates AED 2 billion to foster innovative entrepreneurship that can drive the transformation of critical economic…
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank commits AED 17 billion to sustainable finance ahead of 2030 targets
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has pledged over AED 17 billion for sustainable projects through 2024, advancing its AED 60 billion 2030 goal. It leads regionally by setting carbon reduction targets across key sectors and launching the world’s largest green sukuk by a bank. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to sustainability by allocating over AED 17 billion to finance sustainable projects through to the end of 2024. This significant financial commitment forms part of its broader ambition to channel AED 60 billion into sustainable ventures by 2030. The bank’s efforts are detailed in…
Dubai: Rising fuel prices and tighter emissions laws are pushing Dubai fleet operators to adopt GPS-enabled eco-driving technologies, delivering up to 25% fuel savings, 20% emissions cuts, and improved vehicle longevity while supporting the city’s Net Zero 2050 sustainability mission. In Dubai’s rapidly evolving economic environment, the practice of eco-driving has transitioned from a mere option to a critical business necessity. Faced with climbing fuel prices and stringent environmental regulations, fleet operators in the city are increasingly recognising the substantial operational, financial, and reputational risks posed by inefficient driving habits. Reckless driving, prolonged idling, and neglect of eco-friendly maintenance…
Graphene Innovations Manchester launches sustainability hub in Sharjah to accelerate Middle East expansion
Sharjah, UAE: Graphene Innovations Manchester has opened GIM WildCat, a commercial and investor hub at Sharjah Research, Technology & Innovation Park, to advance graphene technology commercialisation and sustainability initiatives across the Middle East and global markets. Graphene Innovations Manchester (GIM), a leading deep-tech company headquartered in the UK, has taken a significant step in its global expansion by inaugurating GIM WildCat, a cutting-edge facility located at the Sharjah Research, Technology & Innovation Park (SRTI Park) in the UAE. This new centre, described as both a Commercial Development Centre and an Investor Engagement Hub, is intended to accelerate the commercialisation…
Abu Dhabi: The UAE unveils Stargate UAE, the Middle East’s largest AI ecosystem, and scales up investments in renewable energy, real estate, tourism, and finance to spearhead economic transformation and cement its status as a global innovation and sustainability leader by 2035. The United Arab Emirates is rapidly positioning itself as a foremost innovator and investor hub in the Middle East, crafting a transformative economic strategy that leans heavily on diversification across five key sectors. Central to this vision is the UAE’s ambitious goal to establish itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, clean energy, real estate, tourism,…
Dubai: Pony.ai and Dubai’s RTA unveiled a Level 4 autonomous robotaxi, accelerating Dubai’s goal to shift 25% of journeys to driverless vehicles by 2030, with trials starting in 2025 and fully driverless services expected by 2026. On July 4, 2025, Pony.ai, a leading global autonomous driving technology company, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) officially unveiled Pony.ai’s Robotaxi in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to advance Level 4 autonomous mobility solutions. The event, attended by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s RTA, alongside…
UAE pioneers eco-friendly cloud seeding with advanced AI and nanotechnology to boost water security
UAE: The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science unveiled breakthroughs in eco-friendly cloud seeding using natural substances, AI algorithms, and nanomaterials. These advances aim to enhance sustainable rainfall generation and reduce environmental impact, supporting the nation’s water security against climate challenges. The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) recently hosted the 12th session of its Rain Enhancement Hub Webinar Series, which showcased ongoing efforts to develop eco-friendly cloud seeding technologies. The session featured Siripen Somruen, a scientist from Thailand’s Royal Rainmaking Technology Research and Development Division, who presented her pioneering research on natural substance flare packaging…
Abu Dhabi and Dubai: The UAE has initiated its first Extended Producer Responsibility pilot targeting packaging, electronics, and batteries, backed by 26 leading companies. The six-month project shifts waste accountability upstream, promoting circular economy principles and preparing the ground for nationwide regulatory frameworks. The United Arab Emirates has initiated a pioneering Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) pilot scheme aimed at transforming the management of packaging waste in the region. This landmark six-month project, launched jointly by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Tadweer Group, represents the first of its kind in the UAE and places legal and…
UAE: The National Center of Meteorology advances sustainable rain enhancement with innovative natural and nanomaterial technologies, marking the UAE as a global leader in cloud seeding research to tackle water scarcity through international collaboration. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in the UAE is advancing rain enhancement technologies as part of a broader strategy to diversify water resources and reduce dependence on traditional sources amid rising global water demand. Dr Abdullah Al Mandous, the Center’s Director General and President of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasised that cloud seeding holds promising potential in contributing to global water security. During a…
United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tadweer Group have initiated a pilot Extended Producer Responsibility scheme in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, targeting e-waste and packaging. This aligns with the UAE’s circular economy goals and supports the ‘Waste to Zero’ decarbonisation initiative announced at COP28. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the United Arab Emirates has embarked on a significant initiative to advance waste accountability, partnering with Tadweer Group to launch a pilot project under the national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. This pilot targets waste categories including electrical and electronic equipment,…

