UAE Sets Regional Benchmark in ESG Adoption, C&B Report Finds

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Companies across the Middle East and North Africa are accelerating their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, with the UAE emerging as a regional leader, according to new research from Cicero & Bernay Communication Consultancy (C&B).

The firm’s MENA ESG Report 2025 reveals that 60% of UAE companies now address all three ESG pillars simultaneously. This milestone underscores the nation’s continued progress toward the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy and the “We the UAE 2031” Vision, as organizations move beyond compliance to generate measurable, sustainable impact.

C&B’s data also highlights a growing focus on employee engagement. Seventy-one percent of UAE enterprises actively involve their workforce in ESG initiatives, while 67% support volunteering programs linked to broader corporate sustainability goals.

“We’re seeing the conversation turn into action,” said Ahmad Itani, Founder and CEO of C&B. “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.”

The report draws insights from 361 C-suite and senior executives across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan. Over the past five years, C&B’s annual study has traced a marked evolution, from sporadic corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to ESG being embedded at the core of corporate identity, risk management, and long-term value creation.

ESG as a Driver of Brand and Business Value

Findings from the 2025 edition underscore how ESG is increasingly viewed as a business enabler rather than a reputational exercise. 74% of executives now say ESG directly influences brand value, a significant shift from seeing it as a moral or compliance-based obligation.

More than half (52%) of surveyed firms report that they are supporting all three ESG pillars in equal measure. Looking ahead, 83% of respondents predict that their 2026 ESG strategies will prioritize the social pillar, reflecting growing stakeholder demand for evidence-based and human-centered impact.

While momentum is clear, communication remains a challenge. Only 32% of executives report that their organizations share structured ESG updates. With a wider range of stakeholders engaged, from investors to employees and regulators, consistent and transparent communication is emerging as a critical factor for success.