Aldar launches an incentive program to encourage suppliers to adopt sustainable practices
ABU DHABI, 16 JANUARY / WAM / Aldar Group announced today the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in order to launch a comprehensive incentive program for sustainability that supports the objectives of the Ministry’s National Content Program.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the activities of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, by His Excellency Salama Al Awadhi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Development Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Faisal Falaknaz, CEO of Finance and Sustainability at Aldar Group.
The program aims to encourage suppliers to adopt the best sustainable practices by giving them rewards with financial and non-financial benefits and incentives. It evaluates the performance of suppliers in adopting sustainable practices through a classification system based on factors related to this field, including sustainability data, recycling rates, and energy dependence. Renewable, carbon intensive.
The classification takes into account companies’ performance in reducing reliance on single-use plastic, employee health and safety programs, and the extent to which their practices are consistent with the house’s policy of using low-carbon materials.
This program is the first of its kind in the region and supports the UAE’s strategy for climate neutrality 2050 and the carbon reduction road map in the industrial sector that the ministry launched in December 2023 on the sidelines of the COP 28 Conference of the Parties, in addition to the green government procurement pledge.
The house called on all its suppliers to obtain the national content certificate issued by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which qualifies suppliers at the tendering stage, in addition to meeting specific standards related to sustainability and maintaining the health and safety of workers to qualify to participate in the program.
The program will provide additional benefits to suppliers participating in the Real Estate Sector Climate Pledge, which Aldar launched in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to motivate suppliers to adopt carbon emissions reduction goals, and has seen more than 70 members join over the past two years.
Each of these factors contributes to determining the overall score for suppliers, and then based on the rating score, qualified contractors may receive financial rewards and training opportunities, in addition to receiving honorariums, faster payments and sustainability assessment incentives to reward them and enhance their chances in future tenders.
Salama Al-Awadhi stressed that the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (300 Billion Project) focuses among its main axes on enhancing sustainability in the industrial and services sector, in a way that supports the country’s goals for climate neutrality, pointing to their work to stimulate industrial transformation towards sustainable practices through the Make in the Emirates initiative. And the National Content Program.
She added that the National Content Program is witnessing great growth and demand from government agencies, industrial and service companies, the number of which has reached 31 joined entities, and the number of companies obtaining the program certificate has exceeded more than 6,500 companies, and the number of certificates issued in the year 2024 has reached more than 8,000 comparative certificates. With 7,000 certificates in 2023.
For his part, Faisal Falaknaz stressed that the house is keen to implement a comprehensive approach to reducing carbon emissions across the entire value chain, as it works closely with its suppliers to encourage them to integrate sustainability practices into their activities.
He said that the motivation approach is one of the most effective means to bring about the desired change, expressing their aspiration to provide a role model for adopting such programs at the region level, pointing out that the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology will contribute to accelerating the pace of positive transformation and inspiring other institutions to adopt the approach. same.
Aldar’s contribution to the program amounted to 10.5 billion dirhams during the year 2023, as Aldar gives priority to national companies in order to enhance the redirection of spending to the national economy, and the new incentive program will fall within the company’s initiatives to develop a low-carbon supply chain and encourage sustainable construction practices in its new projects.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
