Reflections on UAE’s Sustainability Momentum

Sustainability Consulting in the UAE: What We Learned from Two Weeks on the
Ground

The sustainability movement in the UAE is rapidly evolving—and it’s moving from promises
to practice. Over the course of five events in just two weeks, the message was clear:
Sustainability consulting in the UAE is no longer a value-add; it’s a strategic necessity.

1. Sustainability Professionals Are Now Business Enablers

“Sustainability roles are now strategic business drivers.” This quote reflects how ESG
consulting firms in the UAE are shifting from compliance support to long-term value
creators. Today’s advisors help define the future of business performance, not just measure
past impact.

2. Cross-Functional Responsibility Is Key

“Sustainability is a team sport.” Whether in finance, HR, or operations, professionals must
understand how their choices contribute to climate outcomes. This reinforces the importance
of sustainability enablement for teams, building a shared baseline of ESG knowledge.

3. SMEs Cannot Be Left Behind

With over 64% of non-oil GDP driven by SMEs, their role in climate strategy is
non-negotiable. Sustainability consulting for SMEs is a critical lever if the UAE is to meet
its net-zero strategy goals by 2050.

4. Targets Are Not Enough—Progress Matters

Dr. Jagannathan’s insight—that we focus more on goals than progress—highlights a need
for carbon footprint reduction plans that are grounded in day-to-day decisions and
integrated into procurement, CAPEX, and reporting.

5. Values and Regulation Must Align

“Going green should come from intrinsic values,” but it must also be backed by systems.
This is where climate risk consulting UAE and policy-aligned ESG reporting become
essential.

At Orion Consulting Group, we help businesses across the UAE build resilience and
competitiveness through carbon accounting services, GHG measurement, and
corporate ESG training.

Let’s co-design your roadmap to sustainable performance.

Let’s build a future-ready sustainability strategy—connect with us today.