In The Spotlight
Emirates is advancing inflight sustainability through its closed-loop recycling programme. (Image source: Emirates)
Emirates inflight sustainability and closed loop recycling programme
Emirates has successfully repurposed over 88,000 kg of plastic from its Economy Class meal services into new onboard products, marking a significant milestone in its closed-loop recycling programme.
The airline is committed to environmental stewardship and has invested approximately US$13.6mn in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware. Damaged trays, bowls, and snack dishes are collected in Dubai, cleaned, and processed into new items containing up to 25% recycled material. These are then reintroduced onto thousands of flights, supporting circular economy principles and reducing landfill waste. The initiative is delivered alongside deSter, an aviation serviceware provider holding a 'Gold' sustainability rating from Ecovadis. The recycling facility itself employs sustainable design, utilising solar power and efficient water management.
Beyond serviceware, Emirates is reducing its environmental footprint across the cabin. First Class mattress toppers and blankets now use reusable bags made from recycled polyester instead of plastic packaging. Headset packaging across all classes is made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene. Children's plush toys and bags incorporate at least 50% recycled content , and unnecessary plastic wrapping has been removed.
Amenity kits across cabins feature bio-based materials, kraft paper, and recycled post-consumer polyester. Economy and Premium Economy fleece blankets are now crafted from recycled polyester, with each blanket using the equivalent of 28 recycled plastic bottles. First and Business Class passengers are provided loungewear made from breathable modal fabric sourced from certified botanic fibres , alongside organic skincare products sustainably harvested in Ireland.
Plastic straws have been entirely phased out in favour of paper alternatives , and menus are printed on responsibly sourced paper. Highlighting the natural world, the airline's inflight entertainment is also featuring 100 episodes of acclaimed BBC Earth documentaries narrated by Sir David Attenborough throughout June and July.
This ambitious pilot farm will feature a concentrated cluster of six highly advanced wind turbine generators.
Oman’s O-Green to Pioneer 58 MW Wind Power Pilot in Duqm
Omani state-backed integrated clean energy platform, O-Green, is advancing a pilot wind farm in the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Formally named the Duqm North and South Wind Project (DNSWP), the development will feature a cluster of six wind turbine generators with a total installed capacity of 58 MW
Founded recently in 2025 as a strategic partnership between OQ Alternative Energy—a subsidiary of the OQ Group—and the state-owned enterprise Naqaa Sustainable Energy, O-Green is rapidly establishing itself as a regional powerhouse. The company is currently advancing a landmark initiative situated within the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ), formally titled the Duqm North and South Wind Project (DNSWP).
This ambitious pilot farm will feature a concentrated cluster of six highly advanced wind turbine generators, ultimately delivering a total installed capacity of 58 megawatts (MW). What makes this development particularly noteworthy is the sheer scale of the hardware; each individual turbine will boast a capacity of 9.6 MW, officially making them the largest individual turbines of their specific kind currently deployed anywhere in the Middle East. Strategically planned for deployment across two distinct sites within the SEZ, the DNSWP is projected to generate an impressive 190 gigawatt-hours of electricity on an annual basis.
Crucially, the power generated by these massive turbines has a dedicated and innovative purpose. The 190 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity will directly contribute to the decarbonisation of a brand-new wind turbine manufacturing plant, which O-Green is also currently developing within the Duqm area. This manufacturing facility represents a first-of-its-kind endeavour in the Sultanate. Currently in the early stages of its development, Phase 1 of this facility will specifically focus on producing multi-megawatt-class turbines. To achieve this, O-Green is utilising cutting-edge technology licensed from Shanghai Electric Group, widely recognised as a major player in China's burgeoning clean energy equipment manufacturing sector.
Beyond the Duqm pilot, O-Green is aggressively expanding its domestic portfolio. A standout initiative currently under implementation is a monumental 2.7 GW round-the-clock renewable energy mega-project, which seamlessly integrates solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems across Duqm and Mahout. Securing the commercial viability of this massive undertaking, O-Green recently signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (PWP), the sole buyer of power and water in Oman. Furthermore, O-Green has partnered strategically with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) to implement a 93 MW solar power plant in Suhar Industrial City. Slated to commence commercial operations this September, it will supply vital clean energy to more than 200 industrial facilities.
O-Green's vision is not confined to the Arabian Peninsula. On the African continent, a bilateral partnership with the Botswana Power Corporation is driving the development of a 500 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Maun. This project serves as a foundational step in a broader cooperative initiative targeting up to 3,000 MW of combined capacity in the future. Concurrently, O-Green is targeting the future of digital infrastructure, focusing on the creation of AI-enabled, cloud, and hyperscale data centres in both Oman and Europe, all powered by dependable and competitively priced renewable energy.
These diverse projects are all integral components of O-Green’s expansive global portfolio, which aims to exceed 11 GW of solar and wind generation capacity, alongside 4.5 gigawatt-hours of battery energy storage. With more than 3.3 GW of generation and 2.4 gigawatt-hours of storage already successfully secured, the company is demonstrating a formidable commitment to the global energy transition.
Abu Dhabi launches new water and energy resilience framework
Without water and power, the machinery of modern civilisation halts. As global conditions grow increasingly volatile, safeguarding these essential utilities demands proactive, intelligent adaptation
Addressing this imperative, the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy hosted the third Water and Energy Majlis on 5 June 2026, operating under the theme 'From National Readiness to Smart Resilience'.
Serving as a precursor to the Abu Dhabi Water & Power Week, the summit marked the official launch of the pioneering Abu Dhabi Water and Energy Resilience Framework. Constructed upon three pillars—infrastructure, human capital and governance, and technology and innovation—the strategy outlines 15 core measures. These protocols aim to guarantee supply security, enhance emergency preparedness, diversify resources, and deploy centralised assets to meet fluctuating demands.
The majlis attracted ministers and corporate leaders from over thirty countries to discuss hardening utility networks against future shocks. Delegates explored avenues for enhanced disaster readiness, digital crisis response, and building a cooperative regional roadmap based on the United Arab Emirates’ expertise.
During a paramount dialogue, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, highlighted the pressing need for integrated regional systems and a shared regulatory foundation. Emphasising this immense responsibility, he stated:
“The water and energy sectors are vital pillars of the national security system, and safeguarding them is the responsibility of every official and decision-maker. What we have witnessed recently has been a practical demonstration of the efficiency and resilience of our infrastructure and a test of our ability to protect our national resources. The efforts we are advancing today reflect Abu Dhabi’s ambitions and the vision of its wise leadership to ensure the prosperity of our communities, protect the future of our children, enable economic growth, and safeguard the stability of our nations.”
His Excellency added: “today, we stand at a pivotal moment for the water and energy sectors. We have come together to help shape their future by strengthening partnerships, aligning efforts, and expanding cooperation at both the national and regional levels. More than ever, we must work towards shared goals, guided by a common vision and clear priorities, to safeguard our collective resources and build a resilient, interconnected framework that strengthens systems, supports collaboration, and enhances our ability to respond effectively to any crisis.”
Providing a crucial perspective on environmental stewardship, H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, engaged in the high-level talks. She stated:
“In the UAE, we view water, energy, and food security as an interconnected resilience system. Our national strategies integrate these sectors into a single developmental pathway, aligned with our ambitious target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Within this framework, we are enhancing local food production by deploying climate-smart agricultural technologies that maximise water and energy efficiency while minimising our carbon footprint. We are equally committed to transforming the entire food value chain to be more efficient and sustainable.
“To secure our water future, we are pursuing the ambitious goals of the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. This includes optimising water and energy demand through sustainable desalination, particularly through the widespread adoption of advanced reverse osmosis systems. On the global stage, the UAE is fostering international cooperation to address water scarcity, as demonstrated by the launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZI). This December we will convene global players to the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, which we are hosting in partnership with Senegal. We aim to transform global water challenges into collaborative opportunities, treating water as a shared global resource.”
Her Excellency added: “Our resilience model extends beyond infrastructure; its strategic core is rooted in the community. Empowering individuals as active partners is essential to fostering a conscious, responsible approach to environmental challenges. In parallel, we are accelerating our transition towards a circular economy driven by innovation. By powering water production with clean energy, optimising its use in agriculture, and scaling up water recycling, we are building a sustainable development model that protects our environment, strengthens national resilience, and ensures prosperity for generations to come.”
Further enriching the discussion, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Ahmed Al Mandous, president of the World Meteorological Organization and director general of the National Center of Meteorology, asserted that securing resources is fundamentally tied to precise atmospheric tracking. He explained how the UAE’s early warning systems, bolstered by global data exchange and radar integration, shield critical infrastructure from severe weather. Furthermore, he detailed the incorporation of artificial intelligence into forecasting models and the deployment of cloud-seeding techniques to augment water reserves.
The summit concluded with a commitment to establish specialised task forces. By maintaining strategic collaboration, Abu Dhabi and its regional partners are actively securing operational dependability and supply stability for the future.