7:13 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: The UAE has unveiled the Machine Economy Free Zone, a blockchain-powered sandbox in Dubai designed to accelerate decentralised economic models for autonomous machines and robotics, fostering innovation in tokenisation and digital asset trading within a regulated environment. In a significant move to enhance the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics within its economy, the United Arab Emirates has launched a dedicated sandbox environment known as the Machine Economy Free Zone. Developed in collaboration with the layer-1 blockchain peaq and the Pulsar Group, this initiative aims to explore the burgeoning field of decentralized economic applications specifically tailored for machines.…
Abu Dhabi: The Estidama Mosque in Masdar City is the first in the capital to earn LEED Platinum certification, blending traditional Islamic design with cutting-edge sustainability to achieve significant reductions in water and energy use as part of the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030. The Estidama Mosque in Abu Dhabi stands as a pioneering example of sustainable architecture, being the first mosque in the city to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Designed by X-Architects and situated within Masdar City, the mosque not only embodies a commitment to environmentally responsible building practices but also integrates traditional Arabic design elements, creating a harmonious…
Abu Dhabi: On World Oceans Day, UAE Minister Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak reaffirmed the nation’s bold targets to restore over four million coral colonies and plant 100 million mangroves by 2030, highlighting the UAE’s leadership in international ocean sustainability and climate action initiatives. On World Oceans Day, Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, reiterated the nation’s dedicated commitment to safeguarding ocean ecosystems and advancing their sustainability. Speaking at an event that marked this global occasion, Al Dahak stated, “Covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface, our oceans are…
Dubai: OceanAlpha demonstrated its L25 USV’s advanced autonomous navigation and high-precision sensor technology during trials in Port Rashid, highlighting expanded offshore survey and energy sector applications across the Middle East. OceanAlpha, a Hong Kong-based innovator in unmanned surface vessels (USVs), has recently demonstrated its L25 model in a series of trials aimed at showcasing the vessel’s capabilities for offshore and maritime subsea surveys. Conducted in Port Rashid, Dubai, from 26 to 29 May 2025, the event featured dynamic demonstrations that underscored the L25’s advanced functionalities. Enhanced by collaboration with partners SINO and Sitech Gulf, these trials highlighted the vessel’s…
UAE: High-performance electric SUVs from Audi, BMW, Jeep, and Porsche are set to revolutionise driving across the UAE by 2025, blending luxury, power, and advanced technology while overcoming regional environmental challenges with new EV infrastructure support. High-performance electric SUVs are poised to reshape the automotive landscape in the UAE as the region transitions towards sustainability while embracing luxury and power. With a blend of avant-garde design and cutting-edge technology, these vehicles are not simply electric alternatives; they are powerful, electronically enhanced machines that promise exhilarating driving experiences. As these models prepare to take to the UAE’s expansive boulevards and…
Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has laid the foundation for the 30-kilometre Dubai Metro Blue Line, featuring 14 stations including the world’s tallest metro station at Dubai Creek Harbour, expanding the city’s rail network to 131km and targeting 320,000 daily passengers by 2040. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recently laid the foundation stone for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, a significant advance in the emirate’s transportation infrastructure. This project, which encompasses a 30-kilometre route featuring 14 new stations, aims to enhance connectivity…
Dubai: The 6th Global Vertical Farming Show returns September 2025 with over 5,000 attendees, 100 exhibitors, and 50+ speakers. The event will showcase cutting-edge agri-tech innovations and boost food security efforts across the Gulf, attracting investors and policymakers from 35+ countries. Dubai is poised to host the 6th edition of the Global Vertical Farming Show (GVF 2025) on September 10–11, 2025, at the Festival Arena. Organised by TAB Group, this prominent event will solidify Dubai’s role as a hub for vertical farming and smart agriculture technologies, uniting an array of stakeholders from around the globe. As the region’s leading…
Dubai: Expo City Dubai has unveiled Terrazo, a pilot programme using smart fridges to turn surplus food from certified restaurants into nutritious ready-to-eat meals for blue-collar workers. The initiative aims to reduce food waste while distributing over 10,000 meals by September 2025. Expo City Dubai has introduced Terrazo, an innovative pilot programme designed to convert surplus food into nutritious meals for blue-collar workers. This initiative aims to address the twin challenges of food waste and the nutritional needs of a significant workforce sector. Developed in collaboration with RBT Collective, the project utilises smart fridge technology to distribute ready-to-eat meals…
Dubai: Dubai Airports, in partnership with Etihad ESCO, has begun the last stage of a project to replace over 180,000 conventional lights with energy-efficient alternatives at DXB and DWC, saving 47 million kWh annually and supporting the UAE’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Dubai Airports has officially commenced the final phase of a landmark sustainability initiative in partnership with Etihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO). This agreement represents a significant step towards enhancing energy-efficient operations across both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports. By retrofitting over 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures with energy-saving alternatives, the project aims to…
Al Ain, UAE: TAQA Energy Services has finalised the third phase of a 9,000kWp solar PV project at UAE University, installing 14,400 panels to generate 18.7 million kWh annually—covering 30% of the university’s electricity and aligning with UAE Vision 2030 and COP28 renewable targets. TAQA Energy Services has recently completed the third phase of a significant solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) campus, underscoring a major commitment to renewable energy within the educational sector. The project, which boasts a capacity of 9,000kWp, involved the installation of 14,400 state-of-the-art solar panels across an extensive 84,000…
