Abu Dhabi has issued a USD 2 billion sovereign green sukuk — an Islamic finance-compliant green bond — as the UAE accelerates its position as the Arab world’s leading sustainable finance market, drawing institutional capital from European pension funds, Asian sovereign wealth and ESG-mandated investment managers into UAE clean energy, sustainable infrastructure and climate technology projects.
Total green, social and sustainable bond issuances from UAE-based issuers have exceeded USD 30 billion since the country’s first green bond was sold in 2019, with the pace of issuance accelerating sharply following the UAE’s hosting of COP28 in Dubai in November–December 2023 and the government’s accompanying commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Abu Dhabi: Arab World’s Green Finance Capital
Abu Dhabi’s leadership in sustainable finance is reinforced by several structural advantages: ADNOC’s ambitious clean energy targets — including a USD 23 billion low-carbon investment programme through 2030 — generate a pipeline of greenfield projects eligible for green finance; Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) operates one of the world’s largest renewable energy portfolios; and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange lists more green bonds and sukuk than any other exchange in the Arab world.
The Abu Dhabi Global Market free zone has also positioned itself as the leading international financial centre for sustainable finance structuring in the Middle East, with ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority publishing some of the most comprehensive sustainable finance regulations in the Gulf — attracting ESG-specialist banks and fund managers from Europe and Asia to establish regional bases in the capital.
COP28 Legacy: UAE’s Green Finance Momentum
The UAE’s hosting of COP28 established Dubai as the global nexus of climate finance discussions, producing the first COP agreement to call for a “transition away from fossil fuels” — a diplomatic achievement that simultaneously enhanced the UAE’s credibility as a green finance hub while maintaining its position as a leading oil producer and financial gateway to the Gulf’s hydrocarbon industry.
For businesses operating in or entering the UAE market, the growth of sustainable finance opens new funding channels — particularly for real estate developers, manufacturers and logistics companies with verifiable ESG credentials who can access sustainability-linked loans and green bonds at preferential rates compared to conventional financing.
Also Read: UAE Central Bank: Economy Set for 5.6% Growth as Banking Assets Surpass AED 5.47 Trillion
