UAE leads MENA region in comprehensive ESG integration, Cicero & Bernay report reveals

Environment

UAE leads MENA region in comprehensive ESG integration, Cicero & Bernay report reveals

The UAE continues to lead the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in embedding sustainability across corporate operations, according to Cicero & Bernay Communication Consultancy’s (C&B) newly released MENA ESG Report 2025.

The study found that 60% of UAE enterprises address all three Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars equally, setting a regional benchmark for holistic ESG integration. The findings underscore the nation’s strong alignment with strategic sustainability frameworks, including UAE Net Zero 2050 and We the UAE 2031 Vision.

The report also highlighted growing employee participation in sustainability efforts, with 71% of UAE companies involving staff in ESG activities and 67% supporting volunteering initiatives linked to their 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.”

Now in its fifth edition, the MENA ESG Report tracks how organizations have evolved from ad hoc corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to structured ESG frameworks driving long-term business value. The 2025 survey gathered responses from 361 C-suite and senior executives across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan.

According to the findings, 74% of executives believe ESG directly influences brand value, reflecting a shift in perception from moral obligation to strategic advantage. Moreover, 52% of firms report balanced support across all three ESG pillars, while 83% expect to prioritise the social pillar in their upcoming strategies — a move shaped by stakeholder demand for measurable, data-led outcomes.

However, the report identified a communication gap: only 32% of respondents said their organisations regularly share structured ESG updates. The study emphasised the need for more consistent reporting to engage diverse stakeholders and maintain transparency.

“This report is designed to help business leaders, communicators, and policymakers uncover meaningful insights and ask sharper questions,” said Tariq Al Sharabi, Managing Director of C&B. “Our goal is to foster a more connected and confident ESG ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa.”

As ESG becomes increasingly integrated into business strategy, the report concludes that organisations must embed sustainability principles into every operational layer — from executive planning to everyday decision-making — to sustain progress and competitiveness.