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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UAE’s maritime sector surges to AED135 billion GDP, advancing global leadership and green innovation
Dubai: The UAE’s maritime industry reached AED135 billion GDP in 2023, driven by record port throughput and pioneering environmental initiatives. Strategic investments and digital innovations are elevating the country as a global maritime leader committed to sustainability and expanded international influence. The UAE is rapidly cementing its role as a global maritime powerhouse, reflecting both its strategic geographic location and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and advanced infrastructure. The maritime sector has become a vital pillar of the UAE economy, contributing approximately AED135 billion to the national GDP in 2023. This figure marks continued growth from AED129 billion in…
Dubai: Emirates Group’s ForsaTEK 2025 unveils expanded AI, robotics, and IoT initiatives, including autonomous drones, cleaning robots, and the Afkar innovation app, reinforcing Dubai’s emergence as a global aviation tech hub and embedding creativity in aviation’s future. The Emirates Group’s annual flagship innovation and technology forum, ForsaTEK, has returned with an expanded focus, showcasing how advancements in AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) promise to reshape the future of aviation. This year’s event highlights not only cutting-edge technologies but also the critical role of human factors in adopting such innovations effectively. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed…
Fujairah, UAE: Fujairah Terminals and Fujairah Free Zone Authority have signed an MoU to enhance Fujairah’s maritime sector by sharing data, attracting investment, and improving infrastructure, aiming to strengthen its role as a key global maritime hub and support economic diversification in the region. Fujairah Terminals, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA), signalling a significant step towards strengthening Fujairah’s position in the global maritime industry. This partnership aims to leverage the combined strengths of both entities to attract additional investment, streamline operational processes, and…
Dubai and Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s startup ecosystem surged to over $23bn in 2023, driven by massive AI funding, fintech growth, and climate tech investment, supported by government initiatives and international partnerships to position the country as a leading global innovation hub. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is rapidly establishing itself as a premier startup hub, leveraging its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and proactive government support to nurture innovation and entrepreneurial growth. With a vibrant UAE startup ecosystem valued at over $23 billion by the end of 2023, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in particular, have emerged as global centres…
Middle East: Daly Middle East has introduced next-generation industrial axial fans across the GCC that reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, combining advanced aerodynamics, corrosion-resistant materials, and smart motor controls to enhance airflow efficiency and lower carbon footprints in heavy-duty industrial environments. Daly Middle East has unveiled a new range of Next-Gen Industrial Axial Fans designed to elevate airflow efficiency, energy savings, and sustainability across industrial sectors throughout the GCC region. These fans are engineered with advanced aerodynamic and motor technologies to deliver powerful air movement while significantly reducing energy consumption, promising to transform ventilation systems in manufacturing…
Abu Dhabi’s STEAM+ system wins multiple global awards for smart city transport innovation
Abu Dhabi: The Integrated Transport Centre’s AI-powered STEAM+ modelling framework has secured multiple prestigious international awards in 2025, highlighting its role in transforming urban mobility through data-driven planning and sustainable transport policy across the emirate. The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has earned significant acclaim for its Modelling and Analytic Framework, STEAM+. This project recently won the prestigious GOVTech 2025 Innovation Award in the Smart City category, recognising technological advances that enhance public services and promote a smart, digital government. The STEAM+ system leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics…
Archer Aviation partners with Jetex to build global air taxi infrastructure starting in UAE
Abu Dhabi: Archer Aviation and Jetex join forces to integrate electric air taxi infrastructure across Jetex’s global network, focusing initially on the UAE, while Archer advances trials and commercial launches of its ‘Midnight’ eVTOL aircraft in India and beyond. Archer Aviation has announced a significant partnership with Jetex, a global leader in aviation services, to develop infrastructure that will support Archer’s commercial air taxi network. Initially concentrating efforts in the United Arab Emirates, this collaboration aims to leverage Jetex’s extensive portfolio of 40 private aircraft terminals spread across more than 30 countries. The initiative is designed to integrate Archer’s ‘Midnight’…
Abu Dhabi: The Emirate’s inaugural Infrastructure Summit highlights a AED 200 billion project pipeline, emphasising public-private partnerships, AI integration, and sustainable urban development as pillars of its Economic Vision 2030 to become a global infrastructure hub. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit commenced on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the Emirate’s ambitious infrastructural journey. The two-day event, comprising a conference and exhibition, featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions aimed at exploring and fostering global collaboration in infrastructure development. Maysarah Mahmoud Salim Eid, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC), opened the summit with…
Dubai accelerates industrial clean energy with 51 solar power certificates issued in 2024
Dubai: Since January 2024, DEWA has issued 51 D33 Industry Friendly Power Certificates to 24 companies, enabling up to 100% on-site solar power usage. This marks a critical step in Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, boosting industrial solar adoption and reducing grid dependence through financial incentives and technical support. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has made significant strides in promoting clean energy adoption within the emirate’s industrial sector by issuing 51 ‘D33 Industry Friendly Power Certificates’ to 24 companies since January 2024. This marks a key step in allowing qualified entities—including industrial manufacturers, data centres, and agri-tech firms—to…
Abu Dhabi: Ten innovative start-ups showcased pioneering circular economy technologies at the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators Launchpad finale, highlighting solutions in waste management, textile upcycling, and water circularity after a three-month acceleration with key government and investor support. Ten innovative climate tech start-ups recently showcased pioneering circular economy solutions at the culmination of the Circular Economy Cycle of the Launchpad programme, an initiative hosted by the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) in partnership with the Ministry of Economy. Selected from over 150 global applicants, these companies demonstrated groundbreaking technologies across sectors including decentralised composting, textile upcycling, critical minerals…

