The World Future Energy Summit will return to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) next month.
Specifically, running from 13–15 January 2026, it remains the region’s foremost platform for clean energy innovation. Consequently, the summit brings with it the region’s most influential gathering on carbon markets. Now known as Carbon Forward Middle East 2026 (CFME 2026), the event promises its most ambitious programme. Notably, hosted by Masdar as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, CFME 2026 runs on 14–15 January.
Strategically, Carbon Pulse & Redshaw Advisors organise the event in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Offset8 Capital. Then, they will convene policymakers, investors, & financial institutions to chart the future of carbon markets. Crucially, this gathering charts the future in a region increasingly important to global net-zero ambitions. Furthermore, CFME marks a major step forward for carbon markets & regional climate cooperation. In addition, the Summit expands its remit to encompass critical levers for transition by uniting with CFME.
Shyam Parmar, Event Director, stated that carbon markets are becoming a defining feature of net-zero pathways. Therefore, they are hosting Carbon Forward Middle East within the Summit to create a unified platform. Here, decarbonisation technologies, policy frameworks, & financial instruments are discussed in one place. Thus, this strengthens cross-sector collaboration & supports the region’s growing leadership in shaping high-integrity carbon markets. Also, it enables us to address technology, policy, & finance as interconnected drivers of net zero.
As the Middle East emerges as a global centre of finance, the collaboration amplifies Carbon Forward’s mission. Additionally, Mike Szabo, Co-founder of Carbon Forward, says it drives informed, practical engagement within markets. “Last year’s inaugural Middle East event confirmed the region’s increasing ambition to build credible carbon markets,” he said. Subsequently, “CFME 2026 takes that momentum to the next level,” Szabo added regarding the event. By co-locating, “we can deepen the dialogue between governments, investors, & industries,” he explained.
Finally, this ensures the region is fully engaged with international developments & new dynamics shaping global trade. Additionally, the newly released agenda presents a comprehensive exploration of opportunities facing carbon markets. Specifically, sessions will span compliance systems, voluntary markets, & Carbon Border Adjustment (CBAM) preparedness. Moreover, the event opens with a powerful keynote on the UAE’s ambitions to become a carbon hub. Indeed, it examines how national rules can create a high-integrity ecosystem for investment.
Further, sessions will unpack global carbon market trends & regions of growth alongside Middle East updates. For instance, attendees can expect country updates from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, & Türkiye. Also, the agenda explores opportunities in global emissions trading systems & lessons from mature markets. Finally, a Women in Carbon breakfast kicks off the second day followed by deep-dive sessions. “Every session has been designed to provide a comprehensive carbon market agenda,” said Louis Redshaw.
Consequently, this reflects both the urgency & sophistication of climate action advancing across the region. As the world moves to implementation, carbon markets are evolving into essential tools for mitigation. Therefore, high-quality credits & transparent rules are increasingly in focus as governments align with commitments. Currently, new carbon market mechanisms are emerging in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, & Türkiye. Simultaneously, regulatory frameworks are accelerating clarity around Article 6 & cross-border cooperation.
Ivan Mozharov from Offset8 Capital noted that carbon markets are developing at a remarkable pace. Significantly, this is driven by progressive national strategies, advancing regulation, & growing investor participation. Thus, “This year’s agenda reflects the market’s growing sophistication, moving from ambition to implementation,” he added. (Source: Carbon Forward)
About Carbon Forward:
Carbon Forward is a leading international platform for in-depth discussion, training, & analysis of carbon markets & climate policy. Through its annual events in Europe, Asia, & the Middle East, Carbon Forward brings together policymakers, investors, & industry leaders to exchange insights & accelerate effective climate action. Carbon Forward was founded & is led by Carbon Pulse & Redshaw Advisors.
About Carbon Pulse:
Carbon Pulse is a specialist news & intelligence service dedicated to carbon markets & climate policy developments worldwide. Its team of expert journalists provides trusted, data-driven coverage of emissions trading systems, voluntary carbon markets, national & regional climate policy, & corporate decarbonisation strategies.
About Redshaw Advisors:
Redshaw Advisors is a UK-based carbon risk management & trading firm that helps organisations navigate carbon markets & build effective compliance & sustainability strategies. The company’s expertise spans emissions trading, compliance strategies, & tailored advisory services for businesses across sectors.
About Offset8 Capital:
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Offset8 Capital is a global emissions investment & management group that supports the growth of high-integrity carbon markets. The firm partners with leading developers, technologies, & financial institutions to mobilise capital for impactful nature-based solutions in the Middle East, Africa & Southeast Asia.
About World Future Energy Summit:
As the largest event during ADSW, the World Future Energy Summit continues to be a driving force for innovation, collaboration, & thought leadership in renewable energy & sustainability. Now entering its 18th edition, the Summit has established itself as a vital platform bridging policy with real-world action and business growth. The 2026 edition, taking place from 13–15 January, will feature more than 800 global brands, the Greenhouse start-up zone, the Fuse AI cleantech pavilion, and the debut of the Greenpeace Cinema.
About Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week:
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global platform supported by the UAE & its clean energy leader, Masdar, to address the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges through crucial conversations, accelerating responsible development & fostering inclusive economic, social & environmental progress. For more than 15 years, ADSW has convened decision-makers from governments, the private sector & civil society to advance the global sustainability agenda through dialogue, cross-sector collaboration & impactful solutions.
About Masdar:
Established in 2006, Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) is a global clean energy leader, transforming how the world produces & consumes energy through bold innovation & commercial excellence. Masdar is a clean energy investor, developer & operator, advancing renewable energy projects across key markets & technologies, with a global project portfolio capacity to date of over 51 gigawatts (GW). Jointly owned by TAQA, ADNOC & Mubadala, Masdar is driving the scale-up of renewables worldwide, targeting a portfolio capacity of 100GW by 2030.
About RX:
RX is a global leader in events & exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, & technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, & organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. It is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights & digital solutions. It is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics & decision tools for professional & business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.
Contact: For media inquiries, please contact: press@masdar.ae For more information, please visit: https://www.masdar.ae & connect: facebook.com/Masdar.ae & twitter.com/Masdar
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