4:34 pm - October 19, 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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Dubai: Al Barakah Dates Factory in Dubai Industrial City has set a global first by operating entirely on solar power, cutting 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions yearly while doubling production capacity to 100,000 tonnes and exporting to over 90 countries, boosting sustainability and UAE food security. Dubai is setting new benchmarks in sustainable agriculture with Al Barakah Dates Factory, which has become the world’s first solar-powered date processing facility. H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently toured the factory, highlighting its pioneering role in combining green energy and economic diversification. Located in Dubai Industrial City, the…
Dubai: Mashreq has arranged its debut Sustainability-Linked Financing facility for Galadari Brothers, marking one of the largest bilateral SLF deals in the UAE that ties loan pricing to ESG targets across multiple sectors in the conglomerate’s diversified portfolio. Mashreq, a prominent financial institution in the MENA region, has structured its first Sustainability-Linked Financing (SLF) facility for Galadari Brothers, a leading UAE-based conglomerate. This landmark deal, one of the largest bilateral SLF transactions for a local conglomerate to date, ties loan pricing directly to the group’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. This development marks a significant advance in Galadari…
Dubai: Electric vehicle adoption in Dubai jumped 5.41% in early 2025, with DEWA expanding charging points to over 1,100 and issuing licenses to Tesla and UAEV. This rapid growth aligns with UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy and Dubai’s Clean Energy goals. Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Dubai is accelerating rapidly, driven by rising public interest and robust policy support aimed at promoting sustainable transportation. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, the number of EVs on Dubai’s roads exceeded 39,000, showing a 5.41% increase compared to the same period the previous year. This growth underlines Dubai’s commitment to…
UAE: Sirius International Holding is deploying long-term investment strategies in AI, smart utilities, healthcare tech, and sovereign blockchain to build interconnected, secure digital ecosystems that modernise public services and enhance national data sovereignty.At the forefront of the UAE’s technological ascent, Sirius International Holding is implementing a visionary investment strategy that transcends the typical pursuit of short-term gains. The company is focused on constructing a sophisticated ecosystem aimed at modernising public services, safeguarding national data, and establishing sovereign digital infrastructures critical for future-ready nations. Sirius’ approach is distinguished by its long-term strategic outlook, underpinned by a commitment to create an interconnected…
UAE: The UAE surged to 10th place worldwide in 2024 FDI inflows, attracting $45.6bn with a 48% rise, driven by record greenfield projects and renewable energy investments, while targeting AED1.3 trillion inflows by 2030 as part of a national growth strategy. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cemented its status as a global investment powerhouse by ranking 10th worldwide in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows for 2024. According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2025, the UAE attracted AED167.6 billion ($45.6 billion), reflecting an impressive 48% year-on-year increase. This surge underscores the UAE’s dominant…
Dubai: Emirates NBD has secured a green term loan for Galadari Sports’ new Al Quoz complex targeting Sa’fat Gold certification, marking a major step in sustainable recreational infrastructure aligned with UAE’s net-zero goals and corporate green financing trends. Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the MENAT region, has secured a new Green Term Loan Facility with Galadari Sports, part of the prominent Dubai-based conglomerate Galadari Brothers. This financing will support the construction of a cutting-edge sports complex in Dubai’s Al Quoz neighbourhood, designed to meet the stringent requirements of Dubai Municipality’s Sa’fat Gold certification for green buildings. The project…
Dubai: DEWA intensifies its digital transformation by integrating Microsoft’s AI, cloud, and generative AI technologies, aiming to become the world’s first AI-native utility and supporting Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 goals. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is advancing its digital transformation journey through a strengthened collaboration with Microsoft, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and generative AI into its core operations. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s Managing Director and CEO, recently met with Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, to explore avenues that enhance innovation and…
Abu Dhabi: The UAE will require all VAT-registered businesses to use electronic invoicing for B2B and B2G transactions by July 2026, aiming to enhance tax transparency, reduce fraud, and slash transaction costs by 66%. The rollout begins with service provider accreditation in late 2024 and phased legislative updates. The United Arab Emirates is set to introduce mandatory electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) transactions by July 2026, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing digital transformation and tax system enhancement. The Ministry of Finance’s initiative aims to boost transparency, streamline compliance through automation, and reduce opportunities…
Dubai: The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Aviation Award has relaunched with $1 million in prizes to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel research, supporting UAE’s leadership in green aviation ahead of ICAO and COP28 milestones, and recognising academic and institutional innovators worldwide. The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award (SMBRGAA) has been relaunched with a significant focus on accelerating innovation in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), highlighting the UAE’s commitment to advancing sustainable air transport. This latest edition of the award offers a total of $1 million in prizes, divided among undergraduate and postgraduate researchers, as well as research…
Abu Dhabi: The UAE climbed to fifth globally in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, surpassing major economies. The Cabinet reviewed the nation’s $1.42 trillion trade success, top indicators in governance and digital innovation, along with new federal initiatives driving economic diversification and sustainable growth. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a remarkable milestone by ranking fifth globally in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, surpassing major economies such as the United States, Sweden, and Germany. This reflects the nation’s consistent and rapid ascent in economic competitiveness, government efficiency, legislative strength, and the excellence of its business environment.…
