Abu dhabi: The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has been recognised as First Runner-Up in the Large Public Sector Category at the Arabia CSR and Sustainability Awards for 2025. This recognition reflects EAD's commitment to social responsibility, environmental protection, innovation, and leadership in sustainability.
According to Emirates News Agency, the awards, organised by the Arabia CSR Network, are a prestigious platform in the region, celebrating organisations that show tangible impact and leadership in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. EAD's recognition underscores its pioneering role in integrating environmental protection with sustainable economic and social growth, aligning with global and national strategies and frameworks.
EAD earned this accolade for its environmental performance and its governance frameworks based on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. Its award submission detailed various flagship initiatives that promote climate action, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement.
EAD's efforts extend to community empowerment and environmental awareness programmes, such as the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) that instills sustainability values among students, alongside awareness programmes targeting multiple community segments.
The agency also fosters active engagement through environmental volunteer programmes, including beach and reserve clean-up campaigns, natural habitat rehabilitation initiatives, and involving volunteers in wildlife monitoring. These activities are further supported by the digital platform Naha, which enhances volunteer participation by providing educational content and enabling public contributions to environmental protection using innovative tools.
Moreover, EAD builds strong local and regional partnerships to promote inclusivity and encourage community participation. Its youth empowerment programmes, such as Youth for the Environment, and women's empowerment initiatives within the environmental sector through training and interactive programmes, further highlight its comprehensive approach.
These integrated efforts in education, empowerment, volunteering, partnerships, and digital platforms support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a societal culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
This recognition by the Arabia CSR and Sustainability Awards follows a series of achievements, with EAD previously securing third place in 2023 and second place in 2024. This consistent performance reinforces its status as a leading environmental institution in the region, in alignment with internationally recognised standards like the United Nations Global Compact, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).