Insights from Fanda’s regional Survey of enterprise companies

FANDA conducted a survey among clients and professional networks across the Gulf region to better understand the current state of ESG and sustainability functions within organizations. The research included companies operating in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries, representing organizations of different sizes and sectors.

This publication presents selected findings from the research.

The results provide a snapshot of how companies in the region currently perceive ESG, where they see its strategic value, and which implementation challenges remain the most significant.

Business priorities continue to shape ESG agendas

To better understand the broader context in which ESG functions operate, companies were first asked about their current business priorities.

As expected, strategic growth and competitiveness remain the leading priorities for most organizations surveyed. At the same time, companies are increasingly focused on managing risks and strengthening long-term resilience — areas where ESG insights and sustainability frameworks can play a significant role.

Reputation and stakeholder relationships also remain among the key priorities for businesses across the region.

Key insight:
The findings suggest that ESG in the Gulf is increasingly viewed not only as a compliance topic, but also as a strategic enabler connected to resilience, reputation and long-term business sustainability.

ESG is recognized as important but Integration remains a challenge

One of the key objectives of the survey was to understand how ESG and sustainability are currently viewed within organizations.

The results indicate that while ESG is widely recognized as important, many companies still face challenges embedding it into core business processes and decision-making structures.

Almost half of respondents stated that ESG and sustainability are recognized as important topics within their organizations. However, the research also highlights a significant implementation gap between recognition and operational integration.

Some organizations have already integrated ESG into their corporate strategy, while others continue to manage sustainability initiatives separately or are still in earlier stages of development.

Key insight:
The research demonstrates that ESG maturity across the Gulf is progressing, but many organizations are still transitioning from awareness to full business integration.

ESG Is Increasingly Connected to Trust, National Priorities, and Resilience

Looking ahead, companies were asked in which areas they believe ESG can support their organizations.

The most frequent response was building trust with stakeholders and society. Respondents associated this with strengthening relationships with investors, regulators, employees, governments, and wider communities.

The second most common response focused on alignment with national priorities and contribution to national goals. This reflects an important regional dynamic, where ESG is increasingly connected to broader government agendas related to sustainability, environmental responsibility, economic diversification, and social development.

Managing risks and strengthening resilience also ranked among the leading priorities, aligning closely with broader global ESG trends.

Interestingly, attracting and retaining talent ranked lower among current ESG priorities, although global research continues to show growing expectations from younger generations regarding environmental and social responsibility.

Key insight:
In the Gulf region, ESG is increasingly viewed as part of an organization’s broader license to operate — supporting stakeholder trust, alignment with national agendas, and long-term resilience.

The main challenge: linking ESG to business value

Companies were also asked about the most important challenges they face when implementing ESG and sustainability initiatives.

The most common challenge identified by respondents was linking ESG initiatives to measurable business value and financial performance. Organizations are seeking clearer ways to connect sustainability efforts not only to reporting metrics, but also to strategic and financial outcomes.

Other key challenges include:

integrating ESG into decision-making processes;

strengthening internal understanding of ESG priorities;

securing leadership alignment and top management buy-in.

The findings suggest that organizations increasingly understand the importance of ESG, but many still require practical frameworks, measurable KPIs, and clearer business integration models.

Capabilities are developing but practical expertise is still needed

The survey also explored how companies assess their current ESG-related capabilities.

Around half of respondents described their capabilities as generally adequate, while also acknowledging areas that require further strengthening.

The most demanding areas identified include:

climate and decarbonization;

ESG strategy development;

integration of ESG into business processes;

ESG data, metrics, and reporting.

Key insight:
Organizations across the Gulf are moving beyond basic ESG awareness and increasingly seeking practical expertise, implementation tools, and operational integration support.

Looking Ahead

The findings reflect a regional ESG landscape that is evolving rapidly. While ESG is already strategically recognized by many organizations, the next stage of maturity will depend on how effectively companies integrate sustainability into decision-making, operations, reporting, and long-term business strategy.

Fanda will continue sharing additional insights and detailed findings from the research in future publications.

ESG Today in the Gulf: Capabilities, Governance, and Business Value