Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye) region, has achieved a significant milestone in sustainability by earning the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for 14 of its branches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia during 2024. This accomplishment brings the total number of Emirates NBD’s LEED-certified branches to 27, further solidifying the bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded LEED Platinum and Gold certifications to these branches, marking the highest levels of recognition in sustainable building practices. In the UAE, seven branches, including those at Yas Mall, Al Reem Mall, Al Barsha, Mirdif City Centre, Sharjah City Centre, and Deira City Centre, received LEED Platinum certification. The Al Zahia Mall branch was certified LEED Gold.

In Saudi Arabia, Emirates NBD became the first bank to achieve LEED Platinum certification for its KAFD branch. Additionally, six other branches in the Kingdom, including Jeddah Trio, Al Shefa, Qourtobah, and Anas Bin Malik in Riyadh, as well as Jubail and Qassim Buraida branches, were awarded LEED Gold certification.

Key Sustainability Innovations:

• Optimised energy performance
• Waste management
• Water use reduction
• Use of low-emitting materials
• Thermal comfort

Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD, expressed delight at the achievement, stating, "We are thrilled to achieve LEED Platinum and Gold ratings across fourteen of our branches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, reflecting our commitment to achieving the highest standard of green building performance and reducing operational emissions as part of our broader ESG Strategy."

Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, highlighted the bank's dedication to sustainability, saying, "Our achievement of Platinum and Gold LEED certification for numerous branches demonstrates our commitment to delivering global standards for sustainability in line with the UAE’s Net Zero goals and our COP28 commitments."

This achievement positions Emirates NBD as the leading bank in the MENA region with the highest number of LEED-certified branches. The LEED framework, developed by USGBC, is recognized globally for its comprehensive approach to sustainable building practices, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management.

Emirates NBD first received LEED certification in 2020, making it the first bank in the region to achieve this accolade. As the Principal Banking Partner for COP28 held in Dubai in 2023, Emirates NBD continues to play a key role in supporting the UAE’s sustainability agenda. The Group is a signatory to the UAE Climate-Responsible Companies Pledge, supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Initiative.