Mastering Mandatory Disclosure with a Trusted Sustainability Report Consultant in Dubai and UAE
For business continuity managers, compliance officers, and organizational leaders in the UAE, sustainability reporting is no longer a voluntary exercise. It is a binding legal obligation. Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on the Reduction of Climate Change Effects came into force on 30 May 2025 and applies to all public and private sector entities, including those operating in free zones. The law mandates that businesses measure, report, and actively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Full compliance is required by 30 May 2026, marking the end of a one-year transition period. Simultaneously, the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has mandated annual sustainability reports for all listed companies on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), with reports due within 90 days of the financial year-end. Producing a credible, compliant sustainability report requires specialized expertise.
Why Your Organization Needs a Sustainability Reporting Consultant
A sustainability reporting consultant brings technical mastery of disclosure frameworks, data verification protocols, and stakeholder communication. Without this expertise, organizations risk incomplete disclosures, material misstatements, or greenwashing allegations. In the UAE context, such failures can lead to regulatory fines, loss of investor confidence, and exclusion from government tenders. The UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) has issued Principles for Sustainability-Related Disclosures for financial sector entities, adding another layer of complexity.
A professional sustainability reporting consultant delivers the following:
Framework selection and alignment based on your industry, size, and stakeholder expectations, including GRI, SASB, TCFD, IFRS S1 and S2, and the GCC ESG Metrics Materiality assessment processes that identify the environmental, social, and governance issues most relevant to your UAE operations, including the double materiality concept now adopted by DFM Data collection system design to ensure accuracy, consistency, and audit readiness across multiple emirates and business units Report drafting and assurance preparation, including liaison with external auditors for limited or reasonable assurance
Local Expertise Through a Sustainability Report Consultant in Dubai
Dubai presents unique reporting challenges. The Dubai Financial Market mandates ESG disclosures for listed companies and has introduced significant enhancements in its ESG Reporting Guide, including the adoption of the double materiality concept and a focus on sustainability and climate-related risks and opportunities. Additionally, Dubai's specific climate hazards, regulatory environment, and free zone structures require localized knowledge. A sustainability report consultant in Dubai understands these nuances intimately.
A sustainability report consultant in Dubai typically offers the following:
Integration of Dubai Municipality environmental data, DEWA utility consumption, and Dubai Statistics Center social indicators into your report Alignment with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy targets Guidance on reporting for free zone entities, including DIFC, DMCC, and Dubai South, each with unique governance rules Benchmarking against peer companies listed on DFM to ensure your disclosure meets market expectations and the DFM Sustainability Strategy
National Perspective from a Sustainability Report Consultant in UAE
Beyond Dubai, the wider UAE market requires a coordinated reporting approach. A sustainability report consultant in UAE harmonizes data from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain. This expert understands the nuances of each emirate's environmental data sources, labor regulations, and economic development priorities. The UAE Climate Change Law requires entities to measure emissions regularly, maintain documentation for five years, and submit reports using approved templates from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Key contributions of a sustainability report consultant in UAE include the following:
Consolidation of utility, waste, and emissions data from multiple emirate-specific providers (ADDC, SEWA, FEWA, etc.) Alignment with national frameworks including UAE Net Zero 2050, the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, and the UAE Green Agenda Social metric reporting covering Emiratization rates, occupational health and safety across different jurisdictions, and community investment Governance disclosure that addresses federal laws, free zone regulations, and international commitments such as the UN Global Compact
Conclusion
Sustainability reporting is no longer a marketing exercise. It is a compliance necessity and a strategic tool for resilience. By partnering with a skilled sustainability reporting consultant, a local sustainability reporting consultant in Dubai, and a national sustainability reporting consultant in the UAE, your organization can produce reports that withstand scrutiny, attract investment, and build stakeholder trust. The UAE's regulatory clock is ticking, with full compliance expected by 30 May 2026. Start your reporting journey today with experts who understand the UAE's unique landscape and can guide you from obligation to opportunity.