MENA’s ESG leaders take centre stage at CARE ESG Awards

Dubai recently hosted the inaugural CARE ESG Awards, organised by Trescon and ESG Mena, recognising the region’s most impactful initiatives in sustainability, climate action, renewable energy, clean energy, and responsible growth. Held as part of CARE MENA 2025, the awards celebrated organisations and individuals turning ambitions into measurable impact.

Real results, real impact

CARE – the Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability Forum – brings together policymakers, investors, business leaders, and innovators to accelerate sustainable development, climate-positive projects, and clean energy adoption across MENA. The ESG Awards, a flagship of the forum, spotlight high-impact initiatives that deliver tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits.

The ceremony gathered leaders from finance, energy, healthcare, education, mobility, technology, and industrial sectors, showcasing projects that advance renewable energy, low-carbon solutions, resource efficiency, responsible business practices, and social value creation. Fifteen award categories recognised both organisations and individuals for their innovation, measurable outcomes, and leadership in driving sustainable change.

What the leaders said

“I am proud to see the CARE ESG Awards recognise the region’s leaders in sustainability, climate action, and responsible growth,” said Naveen Bharadwaj, CEO, Trescon. “The winners’ dedication and measurable results set a benchmark for MENA.”

Sal Jafar, CEO, ESG Mena, added: “The awards show the growing momentum of sustainability and ESG in the region. We congratulate the winners and look forward to scaling initiatives that drive climate action, governance, and responsible growth.”

Spotlight on the winners

• Best ESG Industrial Program Award – Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI)
• Best ESG Program in Education Award – GEMS Education
• Impactful Renewable Energy Project Award – NMDC Group
• ESG Personality of the Year Award – ADNOC Distribution
• Impact Finance Award – Riyad Bank
• Best ESG Food, Water & Agritech Program Award – Taqa Water Solutions
• ESG Governance Award – Dubai Chambers
• Green Health Award – Burjeel Hospitals
• Industrial Recycling Award – Envirol by Alserkal
• ESG Social Contribution Award – ADNOC Distribution
• Tech Solution Advancing ESG: Water Technology Award – Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC)
• Best Clean Energy Campus Award – University of Dubai
• Sustainable Development Leader Award – Dr. Sharanprakash R. Patil

Winners illustrated how MENA is turning sustainability ambitions into real-world results. From low-carbon industrial solutions, renewable energy projects, and green mobility initiatives to tech-driven resource efficiency and ESG-led education, the awards highlighted the region’s progress in delivering measurable environmental, social, and economic impact.

More than recognition

The CARE ESG Awards also fostered dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, inspiring participants to scale impactful projects. With its inaugural edition now concluded, the awards have established themselves as MENA’s stage for sustainability, clean energy, and climate excellence, reinforcing CARE’s mission to drive climate action and responsible growth across the region.