Abu Dhabi opens nominations for landmark sustainability leadership awards
Entries remain open until September 8 across six award categories
ABU DHABI – The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has opened submissions for the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards, inviting organisations and individuals to showcase achievements in sustainability and environmental leadership.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG), part of EAD, the awards recognise outstanding innovation, commitment and leadership in advancing sustainability across the region. The milestone edition marks a decade of celebrating organisations that have helped shape responsible business practices while reinforcing the link between environmental stewardship and economic competitiveness.
The 2026 awards ceremony will be held on September 29 at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, bringing together leaders from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to celebrate excellence across multiple sustainability disciplines.
Milestone edition
As the awards enter their 10th year, EAD is encouraging organisations of all sizes and sectors to participate in what it describes as a landmark edition of the programme. The initiative has evolved into one of Abu Dhabi's leading platforms for recognising organisations that have embedded sustainability into their long-term strategies and operations.
Over the past decade, participating organisations have progressed from early adopters of sustainable practices to driving broader systemic change, helping raise standards for responsible business across Abu Dhabi and beyond. This year's edition aims to build on that legacy by highlighting projects and initiatives that deliver measurable environmental, social and governance outcomes.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said the 10-year milestone reflects how sustained commitment has translated into measurable progress, stronger ecosystems and a future built on science and environmental stewardship.
She said environmental resilience remains central to Abu Dhabi's long-term prosperity, adding that organisations recognised through the awards demonstrate the leadership, innovation and accountability needed to turn sustainability ambitions into tangible results. She also encouraged organisations shaping the emirate's future to participate in this year's programme and help drive the next phase of transformative growth.
Driving progress
Eng Abdulla Mohammed Al Remeithi, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Policy and Planning Sector at EAD, said the awards have developed from a recognition programme into a catalyst for meaningful change.
He noted that participating organisations continue to strengthen sustainability reporting, deepen stakeholder engagement and adopt more rigorous methods for measuring impact. According to Al Remeithi, the 2026 edition provides organisations at every stage of their sustainability journey with an opportunity to benchmark progress and demonstrate leadership capable of delivering lasting results.
Award categories
The 2026 edition will honour achievements across six established categories. These include Best Sustainability Initiative for transformative, high-impact projects, Best Sustainability Report for excellence in transparency and ESG reporting, Sustainability Manager of the Year, Sustainability Leader of the Year, Best Sustainability Communication Programme, and Best Energy Management Initiative, which will be judged exclusively by the Energy Institute.
Organisations from all sectors are eligible to submit entries highlighting sustainability achievements, innovative projects and leadership initiatives. Beyond recognition, the awards offer participants an opportunity to showcase best practice, strengthen organisational reputation and contribute to Abu Dhabi's wider sustainability ambitions.