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Lookup NU author(s): Sharon Joyce, Dr Somtochukwu Nnabuife, Dr Eni OkoORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Hydrogen is expected to be pivotal in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Using structured literature review and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analytical methodology, this study assesses the UAE's technological, economic, and policy preparedness to achieve their 2031 hydrogen target. Their strengths include the high solar energy potential, cooperative international collaborations, and ambitious policy structures; weaknesses include high reliance on imported technologies, lack of domestic demand, and high production costs. Industrial cluster development, the possibility of hydrogen exports, and the use of pre-existing infrastructure are among the opportunities for growth. However, significant threats, like water scarcity, regulatory fragmentation, and global competition, pose challenges to progress. A strategic matrix was developed to translate these results into actionable policy avenues. The study concludes that, without increased domestic investment in research and development, harmonisation of regulatory actions, and accelerated infrastructure development, the UAE may fail to meet its 2031 hydrogen target. Recommendations include the implementation of global certification standards, incentivisation of domestic electrolyser manufacturing, and the use of expanded renewable energy sources for green hydrogen production.
Author(s): Meighan E, Joyce S, Nnabuife SG, Oko E
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: Next Sustainability
Year: 2025
Volume: 6
Online publication date: 11/11/2025
Acceptance date: 06/11/2025
ISSN (electronic): 2949-8236
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100212
DOI: 10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100212
