UAE capital to build world’s first net-zero mosque using hydrogen steel
Abu Dhabi project to use hydrogen rebar with 95% lower carbon emissions
ABU DHABI: In a groundbreaking fusion of faith and innovation, Abu Dhabi is set to construct the world’s first net-zero mosque – a project that blends sacred tradition with cutting-edge sustainability.
The capital’s visionary developer, Aldar, will lead this pioneering initiative in Sustainable City Yas Island, marking a major milestone in green construction and religious infrastructure.
The mosque will not only be the first in the Middle East and North Africa to incorporate hydrogen-based steel rebar but also aims to secure LEED Zero Carbon certification. With carbon emissions from conventional building materials under global scrutiny, the use of hydrogen steel could redefine future construction practices in the region.
Green construction
At the heart of this architectural advancement lies hydrogen-based steel – a low-emissions material supplied by EMSTEEL Group. This innovative rebar can slash carbon emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional steel, which ranks among the top contributors to embodied carbon in the built environment.
This groundbreaking announcement came during the Make It In The Emirates 2025 forum, a platform spotlighting the UAE’s manufacturing and industrial evolution. The mosque becomes the first development in the region to use this steel, aligning with national sustainability goals and strengthening the domestic economy through the National In-Country Value (ICV) programme.
Eco-friendly features
Spanning 1,595 square metres and designed to welcome over 850 worshippers, the mosque will integrate sustainable features across every element of its construction and operations. From low-emission concrete and smart cooling systems to energy-saving lighting and prayer carpets crafted from eco-friendly materials, the site will be a model for responsible architecture.
“This hydrogen-based rebar is more than a technical shift – it’s a catalyst for redefining the construction sector,” said Salwa Al Maflahi, Executive Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach at Aldar. “We are now able to reduce embodied carbon at scale without sacrificing structure or aesthetics.”
Strategic collaboration
The partnership between Aldar and EMSTEEL reflects a shared ambition to accelerate the UAE’s journey toward net-zero emissions. EMSTEEL has been a driving force behind the nation’s industrial growth, contributing Dh6.2 billion ($1.7 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP and commanding 60% of the country’s steel market.
EMSTEEL Group CEO Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi confirmed that the company contributed 10% to Abu Dhabi’s non-oil manufacturing output. In 2024, the group directed over Dh3.5 billion to local procurement, involving 1,365 domestic suppliers and keeping nearly half its total spend within the UAE.
Michael Rion, Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Steel (part of EMSTEEL Group), described the mosque as a regional benchmark: “Our collaboration with Aldar signals a new chapter for low-carbon construction. This project will ripple across commercial, public, and residential sectors – here in the UAE and beyond.”
With this initiative, Aldar reinforces its wider commitment to reach net-zero emissions across its portfolio by 2050. The firm continues to invest in clean energy adoption, green design, and supply chain decarbonisation.