Analysis Sustainability Companies scramble to meet UAE carbon emissions laws Emissions reporting by June 28 Questions over carbon credits trading 'Teething problems' expected UAE companies have less than six months to comply with the country’s new emissions laws, but experts warn that some details are still unc... Register now: It’s easy and free This content is available for registered members only. Register for your free […] January 20, 2025
Analysis Sustainability Climate and cost: the Gulf’s water scarcity challenge Water stressed regions High water consumption Increasing operational costs Over the past 18 months, Saudi Arabia has set up a Global Water Organisation, established a stand-alone Saudi Water Authority and presided over the One Water Sum... January 17, 2025
Renewable Energy Masdar views Middle East as biggest growth market UAE’s renewable energy company Masdar considers the Middle East its biggest market, even though its target is to grow globally, a senior executive has said. “The Middle East is the biggest market for us, we are a company from here, and this market is growing significantly,” Abdulaziz Alobaidli, chief executive officer of Masdar, told AGBI […] January 15, 2025
Economy Inflation, not war, is Gulf states’ top concern, says WEF Economic concerns such as inflation dominate risk perception for the coming year in the Gulf and across Mena, according to the World Economic Forum. Its survey of thousands of experts and business leaders, the Global Risks Report 2025, found that geopolitical conflict was the No 1 risk globally, selected by respondents as the “most likely […] January 15, 2025
Energy Turkey to invest $20bn to promote energy efficiency Turkey intends to invest more than $20 billion in energy efficiency projects by 2030 to combat climate change and boost sustainable development, according to a news report. The first national energy efficiency action plan attracted investments of $8.5 billion between 2017 and 2023, state-run Anadolu Agency reported, citing Bilal Düzgün, head of the ministry’s energy […] January 13, 2025
Sustainability New net zero centre to support Oman’s carbon neutrality A “net zero centre” has been established by Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals to support the sultanate’s carbon neutrality efforts. The centre will develop strategies, monitor the implementation of net-zero projects and provide technical support to government and private sectors to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The new centre “will play a […] January 8, 2025
Tech Saudi Aramco leads $30m investment in tech startup Wa’ed Ventures, the $500 million venture capital fund owned by Saudi Aramco, and Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo have invested in Zension Technologies, a consumer electronics startup. Wa’ed led the funding raise of $30 million, which also included Dubai-based Global Ventures. Based in Riyadh, Zension provides consumers with access to the latest tech devices. Instead of purchasing devices […] January 7, 2025
Opinion Banking & Finance Despite ‘greenlash’, UAE banks will stick to net zero commitment US banks may have withdrawn from the Net Zero Banking Alliance, but FAB and ADCB should stay put January 7, 2025
Opinion Tourism The future of Middle East tourism must be regenerative How can we shift from reducing harm to regenerating the environments on which we depend? January 7, 2025
Industry As prices rise, Saudi cement companies may seek alternatives Cement companies in Saudi Arabia may be forced to turn to more sustainable alternatives after the prices of fuel products used in production rose for the second successive year. Saudi businesses have been given notice of the price increases, which came into effect from the start of this month. The price of methane, the main […] January 3, 2025
Opinion Agriculture Without Assad, Syria is ripe for a new crop of farming investment Relying solely on international markets far away from home is risky January 3, 2025
Opinion Energy DP World, energy and AI: five predictions for 2025 Let the guessing game begin – but no promises... December 27, 2024
Sustainability DP World’s ‘blue bond’ to fund sustainable maritime projects Dubai-based DP World has launched a $100 million blue bond to fund sustainable maritime and water-related projects. It will be the first such issuance across the Middle East and North Africa region, aiming to address critical funding gaps related to UN sustainable development goals. The blue bond aligns with DP World’s ocean strategy and long-standing […] December 20, 2024
Energy Former BP boss named on Adnoc’s investment board Bernard Looney, the former CEO of BP, is among the board members of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s new lower carbon energy and chemicals investment company, XRG. Formed by Adnoc last month, XRG aims to more than double its $80 billion asset value over the next decade by capitalising on the demand for low-carbon energy […] December 13, 2024
Sustainability UAE to get first lithium battery recycling plant The UAE’s first lithium battery recycling plant will become fully operational by the second quarter of 2027. The facility, a collaboration with state-backed Kezad Group and Witthal Gulf Industries, a unit of Singapore-based Witthal Group of Companies, will have the capacity to recycle 5,000 tonnes of battery waste annually by 2027. The plant is expected […] December 13, 2024
Sustainability Morocco partners with central African nations on EV plan Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia have joined together to develop the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles (EVs), as they strive to lower their dependence on fossil fuels. The three nations will club their resources and experiences to support the development of EV batteries and battery precursors. Developing carbon-free transportation is essential […] December 12, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Construction Masdar City struggles to find contractors for cutting-edge projects Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable eco-city project, is facing a shortage of contractors skilled enough to meet the demands of its ambitious projects, a senior executive has warned. Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy company, is the anchor tenant at Masdar City, with the Mubadala Investment Company, one of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds, ashareholder […] December 12, 2024
Sustainability Saudi Arabia to invest $10m in sandstorm warning system Saudi Arabia will invest $10 million over the next five years to support its global sand and dust storm monitoring initiative. The initiative, launched through its United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Cop16 presidency, will expand on existing international sand and dust storm capacity, overseen by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Two billion tonnes […] December 12, 2024
Analysis Sustainability Red Sea coral to get extra protection from tourists Saudi Arabia has vowed to implement a series of measures to protect its Red Sea coral reef over the next five years as it pushes ahead with major tourism projects in the area. But experts have warned that Saudi coral remains at risk, even with major spending policies. According to the National Red Sea Sustainability […] December 12, 2024
Sustainability Landmark Group opens textile recycling unit Retailer Landmark Group has opened a textile recycling facility at Dubai World Central that will convert clothes into fibre for new garments. The Dubai company launched a takeback programme last year at its Centrepoint and Max Fashion stores, and more recently at Home Centre and Home Box stores. Clothes are brought to the recycling centre […] December 10, 2024
Analysis Finance Gulf could turn a crisis into opportunity with catastrophe bonds Torrential rains, flash floods, cars adrift in streets turned into rivers – these are scenes often seen these days, from Malaysia to Valencia. They are also becoming more common in the Gulf. Flooding in April 2024 in the UAE, for example, killed five people and cost $1.8-$2.3 billion in property damage, according to Gallagher Re […] December 6, 2024
Sustainability Arab funds pledge $10bn to fight desertification The Arab Coordination Group, an alliance of 10 development funds, is to provide $10 billion by 2030 to combat land degradation, desertification and drought, it was announced on the second day of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification event in Riyadh. The commitment brings the total pledged to these interrelated causes at the two-week […] December 4, 2024