The UAE continues to lead the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in implementing comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, according to the Cicero & Bernay (C&B) MENA ESG Report 2025.
The report highlights that 60 per cent of UAE enterprises now address all three ESG pillars equally, underscoring the country’s strong commitment to sustainability and responsible business.
The study, which surveyed 361 senior executives across nine regional markets, found that UAE firms are moving beyond compliance to create measurable impact in line with national sustainability goals, including UAE Net Zero 2050 and We the UAE 2031.
According to the report’s findings, 71 per cent of UAE companies now involve employees in ESG initiatives, and 67 per cent support volunteering programmes that align with corporate sustainability objectives.
Ahmad Itani, Founder and CEO of Cicero & Bernay, said the latest results signal a major shift from strategy to execution. “We’re seeing the conversation turn into action,” he said.
“What stands out in this year’s report is how companies are linking ESG to tangible business outcomes. It’s proof of real momentum, and that’s a positive sign for the region.”
Across the MENA region, 52 per cent of firms report balancing all three ESG pillars, while 74 per cent of executives say ESG now directly influences brand value, showing that companies increasingly view sustainability as a source of competitive advantage rather than a moral obligation.
Looking ahead, 83 per cent of respondents plan to prioritise the social pillar in their ESG strategies for 2026, reflecting growing stakeholder demand for transparent, evidence-based initiatives.
However, the report also points to a communication gap, with only 32 per cent of executives saying their organisations provide structured ESG updates. C&B notes that as stakeholder engagement deepens, clearer and more consistent communication will be vital to building trust and credibility.
Tariq Al Sharabi, Managing Director of C&B, said: “This report is designed to help business leaders, communicators, and policymakers uncover meaningful insights and ask sharper questions. For us, it’s about offering clarity and supporting a more connected and confident ESG ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa.”
Now in its fifth year, the MENA ESG Report tracks the evolution of corporate responsibility from ad hoc CSR projects to integrated, data-driven sustainability strategies.
Follow us on
