Our planet thrives because of people who dare to act. In the UAE, an extraordinary group of leaders is turning ambition into real, measurable impact. From shaping national climate policy to pioneering renewable energy, circular economy solutions, and sustainable transport, these changemakers are proving that sustainability is more than a strategy, it is a responsibility we all share. They inspire communities, guide businesses, and champion innovation, showing that protecting our environment and securing our future is a collective journey. This inaugural editorial-led list celebrates the UAE’s Most Influential Sustainability Leaders, visionaries whose passion, commitment, and leadership are helping build a greener, resilient, and more equitable world for generations to come.
Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, leads UAE’s international partnerships and sustainable development goals, focusing on global climate alliances and humanitarian initiatives. She is pivotal in positioning the UAE as a key player in international sustainable cooperation.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and COP28 President, drives the nation’s green agenda, championing energy transition to boost economic growth while advancing environmental sustainability and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in global climate action.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, drives UAE environmental initiatives, collaborating with government, private sector, startups, and communities to achieve Net Zero 2050, protect ecosystems, boost agriculture and fisheries, develop agri-tech, enhance biodiversity, accelerate climate action, and ensure national food security.
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, widely known as the ‘Green Sheikh,’ champions environmental education, conservation, and renewable energy. Passionate about mentoring young leaders, he inspires global stewardship and fosters a sustainable future through advocacy and awareness initiatives.
Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and IUCN President, has spent decades leading the conversation on sustainability in the UAE, driving environmental protection, species conservation, and climate action initiatives across West Asia and globally, shaping policies and programmes that foster a greener, more resilient future.
Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Permanent Representative of UAE to IRENA, is an award-winning advocate for women’s leadership in sustainability and climate action. She drives the energy transition, promotes renewable energy, and breaks gender barriers, inspiring more women to enter and lead in the energy sector globally.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, with more than three decades of energy sector experience, has led Masdar’s transformation into a global renewable energy leader, expanding its clean energy portfolio beyond 50GW and setting an ambitious target of 100GW by 2030.
Majd Fayyad, Founder of MajdTalks, is a senior strategy expert and award-winning engineer who has won multiple awards for advancing sustainability. He drives decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and green building initiatives, while shaping policies on energy, water, mobility, and circular economy in the UAE.
Mohammed Abdulkareem Alshamsi, Chief Officer – Climate Change & Sustainability, Dewa, leads Dewa’s sustainability and climate initiatives, including carbon reduction, SDG alignment, and the Circular Economy Framework. Acting Executive Director of UAE Water Aid Foundation, he drives global water access and sustainable innovation through award-winning programmes.
Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Group Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer, Adnoc, leads Adnoc’s sustainability and ESG strategy, driving the energy transition and advancing Net Positive initiatives. A recognised thought leader, he serves on multiple global and regional sustainability boards, promoting climate action, circular economy, and responsible corporate governance.
Alia Busamra, Chief Sustainability & Climate Change Officer, Enoc, leads Enoc’s sustainability and climate change initiatives, shaping strategy, governance, and performance targets. With over 20 years of experience, she drives decarbonisation, energy transition, and resource efficiency, establishing best practices and representing the organisation in national and international sustainability forums.
Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director & CEO, Tadweer Group, leads Tadweer Group’s sustainability and circular economy initiatives, transforming waste into a critical resource. Driving waste-to-energy, recycling, and resource recovery, he advances Abu Dhabi’s zero-waste goals while fostering innovation, partnerships, and sustainable infrastructure across the UAE and the region.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO and Vice-Chairman, Beeah Group, leads the group’s sustainability and innovation efforts, advancing zero-waste initiatives, waste-to-energy, and smart, AI-integrated infrastructure. By merging technology and sustainability, he drives circular economy solutions, regional partnerships, and sustainable urban development.
Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, oversees the development of the UAE’s national railway network, prioritising sustainable transport solutions that promote environmental preservation and economic growth. Etihad Rail drives renewable energy adoption, low-carbon freight initiatives, and strategic partnerships, supporting the nation’s Net Zero 2050 goals.
Ayla Bajwa, Senior Vice-President Sustainability, DP World, is a sustainability leader with over 20 years of experience driving impactful change across corporate and multilateral sectors. She leads DP World’s global sustainability strategy, embeds responsible practices across operations, and shapes pragmatic, collaborative, data-driven solutions.
Raji Hattar, Sustainability Advisor, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, is a sustainability leader with over 30 years’ experience shaping ESG strategies for global organisations. He champions renewable energy, fleet electrification, and carbon reduction initiatives while driving policy, innovation, and impactful change through green finance and international collaboration.
Yasir Ahmad, Partner and Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY MENA, leads EY’s regional sustainability practice, advising governments and businesses on ESG, net-zero, circular economy, and responsible investments. With two decades’ experience, he advances sustainability reporting, assurance, and climate adaptation strategies across multiple sectors worldwide.
Eugene Mayne, Founder & CEO, Tristar Group, leads the Middle East’s largest private energy logistics provider with operations in 30+ countries. A UN Global Compact board member, he advocates sustainability, safety, and responsible business, earning multiple global industry honours.
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group, an Emirati environmentalist, founded the Emirates Environmental Group with the aim of protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. Under Habiba’s leadership, the group successfully brought together members of the community to engage in sustainable practices.
Faisal Mohammed ALShimmari, Executive Vice President, Head of ESG & Corporate Strategy, Mashreq Bank, is a sustainability and ESG leader with nearly 30 years’ experience. He drives environmental, social, and governance initiatives, aligning strategies with sustainable growth, climate action, and impactful programmes.
Vijay Bains, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates NBD, is a sustainability and ESG leader with over 20 years’ experience. He drives ESG strategy, sustainable finance, and climate-focused initiatives while advancing monitoring, disclosure, and sustainability practices, leveraging his background as an environmental and climate scientist.
Dr. Ioannis Spanos, Vice President – Sustainability, Expo City Dubai, leads decarbonisation, certifications, and environmental initiatives. With 25+ years’ expertise in energy transition and climate strategies, he drives sustainable solutions for global projects, aligning technical delivery with stakeholder engagement and impact.
Manosij Ganguli, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Aramex, spearheads energy sector decarbonisation, advocating carbon-neutral solutions across entire value chains. He engages policymakers, industry leaders, and financiers to accelerate adoption of hydrogen, CCS, and sustainable fuels, embedding climate solutions into global energy and industrial systems.
Najeeba Hassan Al Jabri, Chief ESG & Sustainability Officer, Emirates Global Aluminium, leads sustainable innovation in aluminium operations, embedding Industry 4.0, AI, and advanced analytics to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. A trailblazer for women in heavy industry, she advances operational excellence and sustainable performance at EGA.
Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises, champions sustainability through global initiatives in climate action, humanitarian financing, and strategic philanthropy. A UN and COP28 advisor, he advances responsible business, social entrepreneurship, and partnerships supporting transparency, innovation, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Josef Schmidhuber, Chief Sustainability Officer, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, has shaped global sustainability dialogue through senior roles at FAO, OECD, and IPCC. His research on food security, nutrition, and climate links trade and innovation with sustainable development, influencing international policy and industry practices.
Yohaan Cama, Corporate ESG and Sustainability Lead, Gems Education, leads sustainability in construction, steering science-based strategies towards Net Zero. With experience on 25+ green developments across Asia and the Middle East, he embeds sustainable practices in design and delivery of built environment projects.
Dominic Nowell-Barnes, Founder of The Giving Movement, disrupted the fashion industry with a 100% sustainable and philanthropic brand that redefined the industry. He started the company to challenge climate change and unethical practices, thus creating a guilt-free shopping experience with proceeds going to nature preservation and humanitarian aid.
Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation for Youth Development, championed the integration of sustainability into the Emirates Foundation, which began launching an annual sustainability report. She also leads strategy development and partnerships to build youth capacity and reduce food loss and waste.
Dimitrios Dimitriou, Group Vice President of ESG & Sustainability, EMSTEEL Group, is recognised for advancing ESG leadership, helping EMSTEEL secure a provisional “AA” MSCI ESG rating, among the steel industry’s highest. A global thought leader, he champions climate action, GHG reduction, and sustainable industrial transformation on international platforms.
Nazly Asadollahpour, VP Sustainability, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, is a sustainability and ESG leader, who drives positive environmental and social impact. She develops and implements strategies, champions sustainable practices across operations, and advances reporting, responsible finance, and cross-industry ESG initiatives.
Jaydeep Anand, Chief Development & Sustainability Officer, FIVE Holdings, champions sustainable hospitality, making FIVE Hotels the world’s first 100% LEED Platinum hotel group. He drives green bonds, renewable energy adoption, and operational excellence, achieving record ESG ratings and measurable carbon, water, and waste reductions.
Ellora-Julie P., Chief Sustainability Officer, Al-Futtaim, is a sustainability leader with over 20 years’ experience driving strategic and ESG transformation globally. She specialises in regulatory strategy, environmental compliance, and stakeholder engagement, delivering impactful programmes that advance sustainable growth, climate action, and cross-industry ESG excellence.
Stephanie Asgill, Head of Sustainability, Dubai Holding, brings over 18 years of sustainability expertise, implementing ESG strategies and carbon management in complex energy projects in the region. She advances governance, safety, and stakeholder partnerships to deliver long-term environmental and social impact.
Florence Bulté, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chalhoub Group, leads global ESG and sustainability strategy, embedding ethical, environmental, and social practices across the business. She drives materiality assessments, cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and philanthropy programmes while championing climate action, human rights, DEI, and responsible business practices worldwide.
Abdelrahman Elsherif, Group Sustainability Manager, Agthia Group, drives Agthia’s sustainability agenda, leading ESG strategies and circular economy initiatives. His award-winning work advances sustainable product innovation and operational excellence across food and beverage industries in the Middle East and Europe.
Fazil Abdul Rahiman, Group Director Sustainability & Climate Change, Taqa, integrates sustainability into business strategy, leading pioneering projects in energy transition, decarbonisation, ESG strategy, and sustainable finance. He partners with governments and corporates to deliver climate resilience, carbon markets innovation, and performance improvement across the region.
Walid Sheta, President, Schneider Electric Middle East and Africa, advocates sustainability as a strategic necessity. He champions energy efficiency, smart cities, and digital solutions, highlighting UAE initiatives and partnerships that cut industrial energy use, reduce emissions, and boost competitiveness.
