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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Dubai’s Shams initiative doubles rooftop solar capacity to over 725 MW with new digital platform
Dubai: Shams Dubai has connected over 8,430 buildings generating 725 MW of rooftop solar power, nearly doubling capacity since 2019. The success follows the launch of the Hab Reeh digital platform, which has streamlined adoption, increased connections by 30% this year, and expanded the network of certified solar installers. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced a significant milestone in its rooftop solar energy initiative, Shams Dubai, which has now connected over 725 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity across 8,430 buildings to the emirate’s power distribution grid. This marks a substantial leap in the emirate’s clean energy…
Middle East: The Gulf Cooperation Council is rapidly advancing smart city projects like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and UAE’s Masdar City, integrating AI, renewable energy, and human-centric design to confront urbanisation and resource challenges while pioneering global standards in sustainable urban living. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), encompassing Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, is spearheading an ambitious transformation of urban living through the development of smart cities. As rapid urbanisation places increasing pressure on resources and infrastructure, these countries are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and sustainable planning to build cities that prioritise quality of…
Sharjah: The emirate has launched its first and largest solar PV plant, SANA, a 60MWp facility at SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Complex developed by Masdar and EDF’s joint venture Emerge, marking a major step towards UAE’s net-zero 2050 ambition and decarbonising energy-intensive operations. Sharjah has marked a significant milestone in its clean energy journey with the inauguration of its first solar power plant, “SANA,” a 60 megawatt-peak (MWp) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) facility. Located at the Sharjah National Oil Corporation’s (SNOC) Sajaa Gas Complex, this project represents a vital step in the emirate’s transition to sustainable energy, including the new Sharjah…
Emirates Global Aluminium pilots next-generation EX smelting technology with Industry 4.0 integration
Abu Dhabi: Emirates Global Aluminium has started hot metal production using its EX smelting technology pilot cells, integrating advanced Industry 4.0 digital tools. This milestone accelerates its transition to low-carbon, high-efficiency aluminium production ahead of full commercialisation planned for 2028. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), recognized as the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside the oil and gas sector, has reached a significant milestone by commencing hot metal production using its pilot reduction cells for the EX smelting technology at its Al Taweelah site. This advancement marks a crucial step towards the large-scale industrialisation of what EGA…
Abu Dhabi: The emirate has conducted its first test flight of an autonomous drone parcel delivery, marking a key milestone in integrating smart mobility solutions aimed at reducing delivery costs and times. The pilot involves multiple stakeholders and sets the stage for broader adoption across the UAE. Abu Dhabi has taken a pioneering step in modernising its transport and logistics sector with the launch of its first test flight for a drone parcel delivery service. The trial, conducted over Khalifa City, involved an autonomous drone transporting a package from a local post office to a designated drop zone using…
Global cities: Shipping container homes are emerging as a transformative urban housing solution, combining affordability, sustainability, and modular design. From Dubai to US cities like Atlanta and Houston, innovations in insulation, smart technology, and community projects are advancing this trend to tackle housing shortages and environmental challenges. As rapid urban population growth intensifies the global housing crisis, innovators are increasingly turning to shipping container homes as a transformative response to affordability and sustainability challenges. These repurposed cargo containers—originally built for ocean freight—are being reinvented into modern, adaptable living spaces that challenge traditional residential architecture while embracing compactness, durability, and…
UAE: Revibe, a UAE-based refurbished electronics retailer, has raised $7 million in Series A funding to accelerate growth in emerging markets and enhance customer service and quality assurance, following rapid expansion across four countries and a strong sustainability focus since its 2022 launch. Revibe, a UAE-based retailer specialising in refurbished consumer electronics, has successfully closed a $7 million Series A funding round, with prominent venture firms ISAI and Resonance co-leading the investment. Participation also came from Kima Ventures and footballer Édouard Mendy, marking a significant milestone for the company since its inception in 2022. This follow-on financing follows a…
Beam Global and Platinum Group launch joint venture to accelerate clean transport in Middle East and Africa
Abu Dhabi: Beam Global partners with UAE-based Platinum Group to form Beam Middle East LLC, combining patented clean tech and local expertise to expand electric vehicle infrastructure and smart city solutions across the Middle East and Africa, targeting rapid EV market growth and government-led net-zero ambitions. Beam Global, a US-based clean technology company specialising in sustainable infrastructure for transportation electrification and energy security, has announced a joint venture with Platinum Group LLC, a UAE-based conglomerate with deep governmental and industry ties in Abu Dhabi. The new entity, Beam Middle East LLC, will focus on manufacturing and selling Beam Global’s…
Dubai: The Hab Reeh digital platform by DEWA has seen a 30% year-on-year rise in solar PV system connections in 2024, supporting Dubai’s clean energy goals by streamlining approvals and expanding access to solar equipment under the Shams Dubai initiative. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has reported a significant surge in the adoption of its smart solar platform, ‘Hab Reeh’, with over 1,700 solar photovoltaic (PV) system connection requests evaluated in 2024—a year-on-year growth exceeding 30%. This notable increase underscores the growing momentum of Dubai’s clean energy transition and the effectiveness of DEWA’s digital transformation initiatives underpinning…
Emirates Biotech and UAEU launch world’s largest PLA plant to revolutionise plastic packaging
Abu Dhabi: Emirates Biotech partners with UAE University for PLA innovation, advancing sustainable packaging and building the world’s largest PLA production facility by 2028, aiming to replace billions of plastic bottles and cut over 300,000 tonnes of CO2 annually as part of the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030. Emirates Biotech has embarked on a significant collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) to drive innovation in Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable, bio-based polymer that is gaining traction in the packaging industry across the Middle East and Africa. This partnership aims to enhance the performance and environmental credentials of PLA,…

