6:17 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…
Top stories
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…
Deep dive with
our insights
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,…
All stories
Dubai: IMCD has launched a new 4,160 sq.ft. state-of-the-art lab hub at Dubai Science Park, strengthening the UAE’s position in regional R&D with specialised centres for food & beverage and coatings, aligned with national innovation agendas and supporting sustainable industrial growth. IMCD, a global leader in specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution and formulation, has inaugurated a cutting-edge laboratory hub at Dubai Science Park (DSP), signalling a significant boost to the UAE’s ambitions as a regional centre for research and development. The new 4,160 sq.ft. facility houses two focused technical centres serving the food and beverage (F&B) and coatings and…
Abu Dhabi: The emirate advances its urban air mobility strategy with the first public test flight of EHang’s autonomous eVTOL, supported by regulatory and infrastructure developments aimed at launching commercial electric air taxis by 2026 and positioning Abu Dhabi as a regional aviation innovation hub. Abu Dhabi has taken a significant stride towards the future of urban mobility with its recent public test flight of a passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with EHang and Multi Level Group (MLG), and supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems…
Asia Pacific and Middle East: Stable hiring outlook at +28% in Q3 2025 driven by UAE’s strong +48% employment forecast, robust IT sector growth, and increased automation investment amid ongoing global economic challenges. The Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) region is showing a stable and resilient hiring outlook for the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. The Net Employment Outlook (NEO) stands at +28%, holding steady from the previous quarter and marking a 7-point increase from the same period in 2024. This data, collected from over 12,400 employers across ten countries and…
Dubai: Dubai’s rapidly expanding startup scene benefits from increased government support, specialised incubator licensing, and booming innovation hubs, creating lucrative opportunities for incubator founders and entrepreneurs seeking to scale disruptive businesses across tech, fintech, healthcare, and creative sectors. Dubai has cemented its status as a global startup haven, drawing entrepreneurs and tech talent from various regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the US. Its strategic geographical location, robust digital infrastructure, and pro-business government policies have created an ideal ecosystem for fostering innovation. As the number of startups in the city—currently exceeding 4,000—continues to rise, so does the demand for…
Middle East: The UAE spearheads a $2bn regional rise in social infrastructure investment by 2027, backed by a record $19.5bn 2025 federal budget prioritising healthcare, education and housing amid rapid population growth and innovative procurement reforms. The Middle East is poised to experience a significant surge in social infrastructure projects over the next two years, driven primarily by population growth and a heightened emphasis on improving quality of life. According to a recent report by Ansarada, a procurement platform, social infrastructure transaction values in the region are expected to escalate from US$1.6 billion in 2024 to an estimated US$2.0…
Abu Dhabi: Red Planet, a UAE firm, has developed halal-certified, culturally inspired ready-to-eat meals with a 25-year shelf life using advanced freeze-drying technology, pending regulatory approval to enter retail markets and enhance regional food security and disaster resilience. In a significant advancement for food security and emergency preparedness, a UAE company, Red Planet, has developed ready-to-eat meals capable of remaining consumable for up to 25 years. This innovation in ultra-long shelf-life food is achieved through advanced freeze-drying technology, which preserves not only the flavour and texture but also the nutritional value of the meals without the need for artificial…
United Arab Emirates: Manpower supply firms are pivotal to UAE’s Vision 2031, leveraging AI, sustainability, and upskilling to meet surging demand across sectors like construction, healthcare, and renewable energy, supporting a 12% workforce growth and a shift to a knowledge-based economy. The United Arab Emirates is undergoing a remarkable transformation, positioning itself as a global beacon of innovation, robust infrastructure, and economic diversification. Central to this evolution is the critical role fulfilled by manpower supply companies, which are pivotal in supporting the nation’s ambitious development agendas. From the bustling urban landscapes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to the emerging…
Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has already converted 55% of its staff vehicle fleet to hybrid and eco-friendly models, exceeding the 2030 government target of 30%, while advancing ambitious plans for fully electric and hydrogen public transport by 2040. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has made significant strides in environmental sustainability by converting more than half of its staff vehicle fleet to eco-friendly models. Currently, 260 vehicles operate using hybrid or other environmentally friendly technologies, representing 55% of the fleet—well ahead of the Emirate’s original 2030 target. This achievement not only surpasses the Dubai Supreme Council of…
Brazil: The UAE delegation, including key energy institutions, highlighted technological innovations in low-carbon power and detailed major investments under the updated UAE Energy Strategy 2050 at the 7th BRICS Youth Energy Summit. The nation reinforces its climate neutrality goal and leadership in just energy transition. A delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, recently participated in the 7th BRICS Youth Energy Summit in Brazil. This summit saw the convergence of youth delegations from BRICS member nations and invited partners, facilitating dialogues among emerging leaders in the energy sector. The UAE contingent included…
Dubai: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has listed $1.72 billion in multi-currency green bonds on Nasdaq Dubai, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable finance and driving the UAE market’s growth in ESG investment instruments. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) recently marked a significant milestone with the listing of three green bond issuances worth a total of USD 1.72 billion on Nasdaq Dubai. This initiative underscores ICBC’s leadership in sustainable finance and its dedication to the UAE capital market. The issuances were completed under the bank’s USD 20 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme and included USD…
