A recent report released at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week this month has outlined seven challenges hindering the expansion of climate technology in the United Arab Emirates.
The whitepaper, titled “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: Scaling Climate Tech Deployment in the UAE,” was developed with PwC Middle East and Global Climate Finance Centre.
The document provides insights into obstacles faced by the sector and offers solutions to accelerate climate tech innovation and implementation across the UAE.
The challenges identified include fragmented regulatory frameworks, limited financial support, insufficient infrastructure for piloting and testing, barriers to corporate integration of technologies, gaps in skilled talent and resources, a lack of collaborative innovation networks, and limited market access through structured agreements.
The report proposes recommendations aimed at fostering a climate tech ecosystem that is sustainable and scalable.
The study highlights initiatives already underway, such as Masdar Ghantoot desalination plant and regulatory sandboxes introduced by Abu Dhabi Global Market and Dubai Future Foundation.
These initiatives provide examples of how infrastructure and regulatory policies can support the growth of climate-focused technology and innovation in the UAE.
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi emphasized the UAE’s commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable technology. Al Ramahi stated that collaboration, innovation, and investment in local industries would be critical to accelerating the deployment of climate technologies.
“Addressing these challenges would enable the UAE to meet global sustainability targets and lead in climate innovation,” says Rahmani.
PwC Middle East Partner Jon Blackburn, part of the Energy Resources and Sustainability practice, highlighted the UAE’s advancements in climate technology despite barriers.
Blackburn emphasized that regulatory harmonization and talent development are essential for progress in the sector.
“PwC Middle East remains committed to collaborating with governments, businesses, and international stakeholders to address these challenges and strengthen the UAE’s position in climate technology,” says Blackburn.
Global Climate Finance Centre Chief Executive Officer Mercedes Vela Monserrate called the whitepaper a step toward expanding climate technology in the UAE.
Monserrate stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between start-ups, investors, corporations, and policymakers to develop a roadmap for climate tech growth.
She noted that Global Climate Finance Centre aims to bring together stakeholders to build partnerships and drive UAE-led innovation that will have regional and global impact.
The whitepaper suggests strategies to overcome the challenges identified, including creating a unified regulatory framework, establishing funding mechanisms for research and development, investing in pilot infrastructure, and enhancing corporate adoption of new technologies.
The report also underscores the need for upskilling local talent, expanding collaborative innovation networks, and developing structured agreements to improve market access for climate technologies.