Emirates NBD has firmly established itself as the Middle East’s leading financial institution for environmental, social and governance practices, demonstrating a comprehensive and strategic approach that spans product innovation, operational efficiency and market leadership.
The Dubai-based bank has significantly expanded its sustainable finance offerings, launching the UAE’s first ESG-linked working capital loan in the private sector in 2024. This innovation was complemented by the introduction of retail-focused products, including the Emirates NBD sustainable fixed deposit and a sustainable deposit account, broadening access to ESG investment options for individual customers.
Emirates NBD Capital (EmCap), the bank’s investment banking arm, has been particularly active, executing 29 ESG-labelled deals with a total transaction value exceeding $27 billion in 2024. Standout transactions include a landmark $500 million sustainability-linked loan financing bond, named best ESG deal of the year, as well as a $750 million sustainability sukuk through Emirates Islamic, and a $1.5 billion sustainability-linked term loan facility. The bank’s allocation and impact report on its own inaugural green bond of $750 million further demonstrated its commitment to standard-aligned sustainable finance.
Overall, the bank facilitated $9.9 billion through 57 issuances in 2024, with total financed and facilitated reaching $11.9 billion, 39.6% of its $30 billion by 2030 target. In the retail segment, Emirates NBD granted over $69 million in green loans for electric vehicles, representing a 35% year-on-year increase.
The Dubai-based bank has significantly expanded its sustainable finance offerings, launching the UAE’s first ESG-linked working capital loan in the private sector
On the operational front, Emirates NBD has implemented comprehensive emissions tracking since 2020, reporting scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions annually. The bank purchased international renewable energy certificates (i-REC) representing 21,480 MWh of electricity from renewable sources in 2024, while reducing CO₂ emissions by 10,868kg through e-waste donation initiatives. Solar panels installed across five UAE locations now generate 7% of its green energy requirements.
The bank’s governance framework includes board-level oversight through the board risk committee and board nomination, remuneration and ESG committee, with a dedicated chief sustainability officer leading implementation. Emirates NBD has aligned with international standards, releasing its inaugural Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures report with assurance and plans for International Sustainability Standards Board and Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures reporting, while adhering to the ESG reporting guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Dubai Financial Market.
These achievements, backed by comprehensive staff training programmes, including Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales certification in sustainability and specialised modules for relationship managers, underscore why Emirates NBD leads the region in sustainable banking practices.
