ESG and Sustainability in Healthcare in the UAE: Paving the Way for a Greener and Smarter Future
Healthcare & Life Sciences Focus
Andrea TithecottPartner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences
Michael EybersAssociate,Corporate Commercial
Climate change is a significant threat to global health, already affecting ecosystems, food supply, and the wellbeing of populations worldwide. The healthcare sector contributes roughly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and holds a critical responsibility in helping to combat global warming. In the United Arab Emirates (‘UAE’), healthcare facilities, particularly hospitals, have high energy demands, and it therefore makes sense that the healthcare sector in the UAE is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability and innovation, driven by the nation's vision to become a global leader in the green economy and the digital health revolution.
As the sector faces increasing challenges such as population growth, chronic diseases, and climate change, the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (‘ESG’) principles and advanced technologies is seen as a pivotal step towards enhancing efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes.
This article explores how the UAE healthcare sector is embracing ESG and sustainability initiatives, focusing on four key areas: energy efficiency and carbon reduction, virtual healthcare services, artificial intelligence (‘AI’) and robotic process automation (‘RPA’), genetics and genomics research, and precision medicine.
The UAE healthcare sector is actively aligning itself with the nation's wider sustainability goals, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 23.5% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers are increasingly adopting energy-efficient practices and technologies to minimize their environmental impact and optimize their resource utilisation. This involves improving building designs and insulation, adopting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and implementing waste reduction and recycling strategies, particularly in handling medical waste. These efforts are essential as healthcare facilities are traditionally energy-intensive, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and air pollution.
Green building standards aim to save AED 10 billion by 2030 and reduce emissions by 30%.
In 2010, the UAE Cabinet approved the Green Building and Sustainable Building standards, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability across the country. The implementation of these standards began with government buildings in early 2011, aiming to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and foster long-term savings. The initiative is expected to save AED 10 billion by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 30%, contributing significantly to the UAE’s broader sustainability goals.Abu Dhabi has played a pioneering role in this initiative with the introduction of the Estidama Pearl Rating System, a five-level framework for sustainable construction. Under this system, all new buildings are required to achieve a minimum one-pearl rating, while government buildings and residential villas must meet the higher two-pearl rating standard, ensuring a greater commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Similarly, Dubai has introduced a comprehensive set of green building regulations consisting of 79 specifications, now mandatory for all new developments. These regulations cover a range of sustainability measures, including energy and water conservation, waste management, and the use of sustainable materials in construction.
The UAE’s healthcare sector has also embraced green building principles. Institutions like the Abu Dhabi Health Services (‘SEHA’) and the Dubai Health Authority (‘DHA’) are implementing energy-efficient technologies in their facilities to reduce environmental impact. Many hospitals have adopted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (‘LEED’) certification standards, a globally recognized benchmark for green building. Notable examples include Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Mediclinic Middle East facilities, which have been designed with energy-efficient systems that reduce energy consumption by up to 40%, setting a strong example for sustainable healthcare infrastructure in the region.
These efforts reflect the UAE’s commitment to carbon reduction and its leadership in adopting innovative approaches to green building, particularly in key sectors like healthcare and government infrastructure.
A key component of the sustainability push is the move away from traditional brick-and-mortar healthcare services. Virtual hospitals, telemedicine, and digital healthcare solutions are gaining momentum, reducing the need for physical infrastructure and transportation, and contributing to a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare model. Virtual healthcare services, in particular, offer energy-efficient solutions by reducing patient travel, minimising the use of physical resources, and promoting remote consultations, diagnostics, and treatment plans. These services not only enhance accessibility and convenience for patients, but also reduce the burden on healthcare facilities and staff, (as was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic). The UAE government has been supportive of virtual healthcare initiatives, launching platforms such as the DHA’s Smart Clinic and the Ministry of Health and Prevention's (‘MOHAP’) Virtual Doctor, which provide online consultations and health information to the public. These efforts are also aligned with the ‘social’ pillar of ESG, which seeks to ensure that all citizens and residents of the UAE have access to quality healthcare, even those that live in remote and underserved areas.
AI and RPA are playing a critical role in enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of healthcare services. AI and RPA enable healthcare providers to automate routine tasks, analyse vast amounts of data, and improve clinical decision-making and outcomes. For example, AI-powered diagnostic tools can identify patterns in medical images, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. RPA can handle repetitive administrative functions - such as patient scheduling, billing, and claims processing - reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. Precision medicine, which tailors treatments to individual patient profiles based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, is expected to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce waste in medical treatments. With fewer trial-and-error prescriptions and reduced hospital readmissions, the environmental impact of healthcare services is expected to decrease. The UAE government has been proactive in fostering an environment conducive to technological innovation, launching initiatives such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and the Dubai Artificial Intelligence in Health Strategy, which aim to leverage AI and RPA to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Another significant area of innovation and sustainability in the UAE healthcare sector is the fast-paced development in genetics and genomics research, supported by advanced AI and data analytics. Genetics and genomics are the study of genes and their functions, and how they influence health and disease. These fields offer tremendous potential for enhancing diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases, especially rare and inherited disorders. The UAE is positioning itself as a hub for cutting-edge research in genetics and genomics, investing in state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, such as the Centre for Genomics and Systems Biology at New York University Abu Dhabi and the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. The UAE is also conducting large-scale population-based genetic studies, such as the UAE Healthy Future Study and the Emirati Genome Program, which aim to map the genetic diversity and health profile of the UAE population, and identify genetic variants associated with common diseases. These studies will provide valuable insights for developing personalized and precision medicine, as well as informing public health policies and interventions.
The UAE healthcare sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the adoption of ESG and sustainability principles and the integration of advanced technologies. By strategically leveraging these initiatives, the UAE can achieve its vision of a world-class, innovative, and sustainable healthcare system that meets the needs of its population and sets a benchmark for excellence globally. The journey towards full transformation requires addressing key challenges, such as data privacy and security, technological interoperability, workforce readiness, and regulatory compliance. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures, continuous training and support for healthcare professionals, and clear and supportive regulatory frameworks are essential for overcoming these challenges and maximising the benefits of ESG and sustainability initiatives.
For further information,please contact Andrea Tithecott and Michael Eybers.
Published in January 2025
