AGP Executive Report

Water Awareness: The UAE is training 50 content creators to promote water sustainability ahead of a UN conference in Abu Dhabi. Urban Greening: Dubai aims to plant 3.5 million trees by 2040, according to Dubai Municipality chief Marwan bin Ghalita. Food Waste: Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi and Emirates Foundation have teamed up to support ne’ma, the national food loss and waste initiative. Cleaner Industry: KEZAD-based AGSI says its rebar has the lowest verified carbon footprint, while HBMSU reports cutting electricity use by 41%, surpassing the government’s 2030 target. Food Innovation: Abu Dhabi has opened supervised tasting trials for cultivated meat and other novel proteins, creating a regulated step towards commercial approval. Climate Readiness: AI models are reported to have predicted Dubai’s record rainfall eight days in advance, highlighting the potential of forecasting tools to help cities prepare for extreme weather.

Water Awareness: The UAE has launched a programme to train 50 content creators in water sustainability ahead of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi; applications are open until October 30. Urban Greening: Dubai plans to plant 3.5 million trees and expand green and landscaped areas to 187 square kilometres by 2040. Food Waste: Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi has partnered with Emirates Foundation to support ne’ma, the national food loss and waste initiative. Clean Energy: EWEC has opened registration for its fourth-quarter clean energy certificate auction. Sustainable Finance: The UAE remains a key market for ESG sukuk, even as global issuance fell 46% in the first nine months of 2026.

Water Awareness: The UAE has opened applications for a programme training 50 people to create water-sustainability content ahead of Abu Dhabi’s UN Water Conference in December. Climate Finance: Dubai’s World Green Economy Summit on October 21–22 will focus on funding climate projects and helping them reach implementation. Clean Energy: Abu Dhabi plans Dh250 billion in energy and water infrastructure investment through 2035, targeting 60% clean electricity as AI and industry increase demand. Conservation: Abu Dhabi fined a company Dh150,000 for damaging desert habitat, while HBMSU reported cutting its electricity use by 41%.

Energy Efficiency: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University cut electricity use by 41.02% in the first eight months of 2026, saving 853.2 MWh and beating the UAE’s 2030 reduction target four years early. Clean Power: Emirates Water and Electricity Company opened registration for its Q4 clean-energy certificate auction. Sustainability Innovation: The Zayed Sustainability Prize received 32% more entries for its 2027 cycle; its 139 winners have reached more than 411 million people worldwide. Desert Protection: Abu Dhabi fined a company Dh150,000 for damaging natural heritage in the desert. Waste Reduction: UAE school pupils are turning discarded feathers into fertiliser. Water Technology: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund is backing Wisewell to develop sustainable water solutions.

Clean Power: UAE and French energy leaders discussed renewables, nuclear power and grid flexibility as electricity demand rises. Dubai Airports is also advancing a 45MWp solar programme, while the UAE targets 18GW of renewable projects by 2030. Low-Emission Mobility: Dubai has begun a four-week trial of driverless electric Glydways pods at Bluewaters, testing a new on-demand transit option on dedicated guideways. Desert Protection: Abu Dhabi fined a company Dh150,000 for damaging natural heritage in the desert. Industry and Climate: The UAE’s industrial decarbonisation push and an Abu Dhabi climate summit that drew more than 1,000 registrations kept climate action in focus.

Desert Protection: Abu Dhabi fined a company Dh150,000 for repeatedly damaging rare Al Barqa desert formations in Al Dhafra and ignoring stop-work orders. Fire Readiness: UAE civil defence teams are exploring AI to map fire hotspots and forecast risks, with drones and sensor-equipped robots helping protect firefighters and residents. Cleaner Mobility: Dubai has begun trials of Glydways, an autonomous electric transit system designed for first- and last-mile journeys. Renewable Energy: Dubai Airports has launched a 45-megawatt solar programme, while the UAE is targeting 18 gigawatts of renewable energy projects by 2030. Water and Farming: A UAE-backed smart-water company is expanding its technology, and a school project turning feathers into fertiliser offers a practical example of waste reduction.

Industrial Decarbonisation: A Fujairah cement plant is testing the UAE’s first live carbon-capture and underground mineralisation project. It captures up to 4.5 tonnes of CO₂ a day, turning the gas into solid rock underground. Gulf Waters: Coastal operators are moving towards continuous water-quality monitoring, which can provide thousands of readings a month and flag risks sooner than occasional sampling. Protecting Natural Heritage: Abu Dhabi can impose fines of up to Dh150,000 for damaging natural heritage, reinforcing protections for the emirate’s environment. Clean Energy: Dubai Airports is advancing a 45-megawatt solar programme, while the UAE is targeting 18 gigawatts of renewable energy projects by 2030. Farming and Waste: Emirati farmer Khadija Darwish Alqubaisi was named among FAO’s 100 women farmers, and UAE school pupils are turning feathers into fertiliser.

Marine Safety: A projectile struck a vessel off the UAE coast, sparking a fire that was extinguished. The crew’s status, damage and possible environmental impact remain unknown as authorities investigate. Waste-to-Value: Three UAE school pupils are testing a process that turns discarded chicken feathers into biofertiliser, with trials underway at 16 farms and nurseries across the UAE, Oman and India. Circular Living: Emirati tea entrepreneur Fatma AlMoosawi is giving used tea leaves a second life as compost and natural ink, while pursuing further research. Natural Heritage: Abu Dhabi is imposing a Dh150,000 penalty for damaging the emirate’s natural heritage. Climate Finance: Central bank leaders and experts met in Abu Dhabi to discuss climate risks to financial stability and ways to expand sustainable finance.

Natural Heritage: Abu Dhabi fined a company Dh150,000 for repeatedly damaging Al Barqa, a rare desert formation and wildlife habitat. The Environment Agency says such damage cannot be restored. Environmental Culture: The Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival returns to NYU Abu Dhabi from October 9–11 with a “Mend” theme focused on restoring our relationship with nature. Marine Safety: A tanker was struck by a projectile off the UAE coast and a fire was extinguished; the crew’s condition and any environmental impact remain unknown. Climate Action: Abu Dhabi’s Climate Solutions Summit opened this week as the UAE called for climate finance promises to be put into practice ahead of COP31. Water Security: Preparations for December’s UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi are focused on action, with the UAE highlighting AI tools to monitor water supplies, consumption and leaks. Cleaner Energy: The UAE-France Energy Forum targeted clean-energy cooperation, while Dubai Airports’ solar programme and the UAE’s first industrial carbon-capture pilot point to local efforts to cut emissions.

Climate Policy: Abu Dhabi’s Climate Solutions Summit opened as UAE officials called for climate finance to move from promises to action. WGES 2026 and the Central Bank’s Climate Forum also focused on advancing the green transition. Clean Energy: Dubai Airports is developing a 45-megawatt-peak solar programme, while data-centre operator Khazna aims to use 100% carbon-free electricity for cooling by 2035. Industrial Innovation: Holcim UAE and 44.01 commissioned the country’s first industrial carbon-capture and mineralisation pilot. Nature and Research: The UAE became the first Arab country to join an Antarctic research group, and children in Ajman planted 45 mangroves to expand coastal forests.

Climate Action: Abu Dhabi’s three-day Climate Solutions Summit opened at Khalifa University, bringing researchers, policymakers and investors together to turn climate research into practical solutions. The UAE also called for climate finance pledges to move into implementation. Green Finance: The Central Bank’s second Climate Forum is examining climate risks to financial stability and how sustainable finance can support a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. Clean Energy: Dubai Airports is advancing a 45-megawatt-peak solar programme, while Holcim and 44.01 have launched the UAE’s first industrial carbon-capture and mineralisation pilot. Water and Food Security: Abu Dhabi’s proposed land-based aquaculture project aims to produce 30,000 tonnes of seafood a year using systems that treat and reuse water; the target depends on feasibility studies and approvals. Next on the Agenda: The World Green Economy Summit returns to Dubai on October 21–22, with energy, water and food security, business transition and finance among its themes.

Climate Finance: The UAE urged COP31 talks to turn climate pledges into funding and practical action, citing Tuvalu’s coastal adaptation project as a model. Energy & Data: Khazna says carbon-free electricity covered 27% of its data-centre cooling load in 2025, with a goal of 100% by 2035; Dubai Airports is also advancing a 45-MWp solar programme. Nature & Science: The UAE became the first Arab state to join the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Sharjah’s Sir Bu Nair Festival is also raising awareness of the island’s marine biodiversity. Cutting Emissions: Holcim UAE and 44.01 commissioned the country’s first industrial carbon capture and mineralisation pilot.

Wildlife: Abu Dhabi’s 2026–27 falconry season runs from October 20 to January 31. Only licensed falconers may hunt, and only captive-bred houbara bustards, under rules designed to protect wildlife and habitats. Clean Energy: Dubai Airports reported a 45 MWp rooftop solar programme across DXB and DWC, alongside lower electricity use and a 5% biodiesel blend in airport vehicle fleets. Food Security: Elite Agro Holding announced Dh660 million in agricultural investments, including an Dh80 million blueberry project in Al Ain, as Global Food Week opened in Abu Dhabi. Water and Research: The UAE will host the UN Water Conference in December. The country also became the first Arab state to join the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, expanding its role in international environmental science.

Food Security Data Boost: Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD) and Silal Group signed a Service Level Agreement to strengthen data exchange and statistical capabilities for smarter planning in Abu Dhabi’s agriculture and food sector, supporting food security and sustainable development. Cooling for a Hotter Future: Empower awarded excavation and foundation works for a new 47,000 RT district cooling plant in Dubai Science Park, aiming to serve nearly 80 mixed-use buildings with more efficient, environmentally friendly cooling. Greener Masterplan in Sharjah: Azizi Developments broke ground on Azizi Florence, a AED30bn Sharjah community with 25% green space, 160,000+ trees and plants planned, and a large Bardini Park. Pharma Logistics Standards: FedEx’s Dubai World Central hub earned IATA CEIV Pharma certification, backing temperature-controlled handling for sensitive healthcare shipments. Global Food Week Momentum: The Global Food Security Summit opened in Abu Dhabi alongside Global Food Week 2026, focusing on resilient, sustainable food systems and investment-driven solutions. Renewables Scale-Up: Smartgrid Analytics says it has surpassed 107 GW in commissioned renewable energy assets worldwide, including growing storage and hybrid projects.

UAE Food Security Push: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed says the UAE will keep collaborating on innovative, resilient food systems as the Global Food Security Summit opens in Abu Dhabi, with Thani Al Zeyoudi stressing interconnected, adaptable supply chains. Fujairah Natural Resources Oversight: Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad reviews Fujairah’s natural resources and mining plans, including service upgrades and a Global Star Rating pilot. Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi: The summit runs alongside Global Food Week, positioning the UAE as a trade and logistics hub for food under climate and geopolitical pressure. Data Centres & Water Stress: A new study flags rising concerns over water use from AI data centres, noting water stress impacts beyond the US, including Belgium. Nuclear & Radiation Regulation: FANR board updates include progress on the UAE’s National Environmental Radiation Measurements Portal and ongoing Barakah oversight. Dubai Dining Spotlight: MICHELIN Guide Dubai’s 5th edition adds 19 new restaurants and promotes Orfali Bros to Two Stars. BRICS Move (Ghana): Ghana’s Cabinet approves a formal application to join BRICS, aiming to diversify partnerships and boost development.

Antarctic Science Push: The UAE became the first Arab country to join SCAR, linking its Emirates Polar Programme and Khalifa University’s Polar Research Centre to global Antarctica research and climate assessments. Sustainable Data Centres: Khazna Data Centres published its first ESG report, aiming to power 100% of mechanical load with carbon-free electricity by 2035. Environmental Justice at UN Crime Congress: In Abu Dhabi, the UN Crime Congress put “crimes that affect the environment” front and centre, launching the Abu Dhabi Call to Action on Environmental Crime to target trafficking networks. Gulf Maritime Security: A Greek-owned LNG tanker, Maran Gas Mystras, was struck near the Strait of Hormuz; crew were safe and no pollution reported as investigations continue. Food Security Spotlight: Global Food Week 2026 opened in Abu Dhabi at ADNEC with 2,580 exhibitors from 92 countries, focusing on scalable, sustainable food futures. Cyber Resilience: The UAE Cyber Security Council and SCC Middle East plan a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Resilience and Trusted Technology, with labs, incubation and pathways to global markets.