IJGlobal ESG Coordinator – First Abu Dhabi Bank

Launched as a new category this year, ESG coordinator turned out to be one of the most hotly-contested with a shortlist of 6… and First Abu Dhabi Bank went on to scoop the trophy.

One of the judging panel said that the Middle East bank had to win “in recognition of FAB's excellent efforts in driving sustainable finance forward in the region”.

This decision was supported by a judge who said: “I think it's really important to see this level of drive and achievement from a Middle East player. As long as they're working to international standards, these sorts of firms are key to achieving transition in the Middle East.”

One of the judges added: “FAB can be considered a driver of sustainable finance within the region. Generating this continued and growing momentum is important and worthy of recognition.”

Yet another judge said the bank had to win “in recognition of being a first mover in the region and the biggest green lender… as such they deserve to be a winner”.

The judging comments were rounded off with: “FAB facilitated more than $82.7 billion in sustainable finance and led 29 ESG deals. Their work spans green loans, social loans, and sustainability-linked financing across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

“Projects like the $1.14 billion Amaala off-grid utilities and $575 million Al Henakiyah solar PV show strong regional impact. Their ESG strategy is solid and growing, with clear results, though the innovation and global influence are somewhat narrower in scope.”

As the UAE’s largest bank, FAB offers ESG advisory and structures innovative, bespoke sustainable finance solutions, such as sustainable and green finance frameworks and ESG rating advisory, in line with its corporate sustainability ambitions.

FAB actively works in the market, with 7 mandates for frameworks and advisory, and over the course of the judging period advised on sustainable financing across industries such as transport, financial institutions, real estate, retail, energy, and manufacturing sectors, along with sovereign entities contributing to tangible progress towards sustainability.

During COP28, FAB announced a substantial increase in its sustainable finance target. The new commitment to lend, invest, and facilitate has increased by 80% from $75 billion (AED 275bn) to $135 billion (AED 500bn). FAB’s new sustainable finance target represents 50% of the Central Bank of UAE’s target of $270 billion.

FAB has emerged as a trusted ESG adviser and delivered a strong year in sustainable financing in 2024 having advised on, structured and led more than 50 transactions with more than $25.5 billion between July 2024 and May 2025.

The bank has already facilitated more than $82.7 billion, more than 60% of its 2030 commitment, proving its leadership by increasing the number of deals where the bank acted as the sustainable coordinator (29 deals).

Over the course of the judging period, FAB facilitated more than $25.5 billion in sustainable finance loans through:

• $12.1 billion – sustainability-linked loans
• $3 billion – green and social loans
• $4 billion – sustainable Loans
• $3.3 billion – sustainable trade finance

FAB also concluded 3 framework structuring mandates and several sustainability-linked facility coordination mandates proving FAB’s focus on enabling sustainable finance, and not just in the region but in Africa, Asia and Europe as well.