Carbon accounting in the UAE: Why GHG assessment is becoming a business requirement across the Middle East
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Carbon footprinting, commonly known as GHG assessment or carbon accounting has rapidly become a compliance requirement for businesses across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East. As global organisations push for stronger supply chain transparency, UAE suppliers are increasingly being asked to provide verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data to maintain partnerships, complete EcoVadis assessments, access financing, and meet sustainability expectations.
For companies in the United Arab Emirates and across the GCC, producing an accurate, complete, and audit-ready carbon footprint is quickly becoming a strategic necessity.
This guide breaks down what GHG assessment means, why it matters for UAE businesses, and why companies across the region are choosing specialist consultants to support their carbon accounting journey.
What is a GHG assessment and why it matters for UAE companies
A Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Assessment measures an organisation’s total carbon emissions across its operations and supply chain. It follows globally recognised standards such as:
- The GHG Protocol (Corporate & Value Chain Standards)
- ISO 14064
- EcoVadis carbon reporting criteria
- IFRS S2 climate disclosures
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements
GHG assessments quantify emissions across:
- Scope 1: Direct fuel and operational emissions
- Scope 2: Purchased electricity, cooling, and heating
- Scope 3: Supply chain, logistics, purchased goods, business travel, waste, use of sold products, and more
For UAE and GCC companies, carbon accounting provides:
- Transparency on environmental performance
- Better positioning for international tenders
- Improved investor and lender confidence
- Compliance with global supply chain requirements
- Preparedness for future regulation (UAE Climate Action Plan, EU CBAM, IFRS standards)
- Stronger long-term business resilience
Increasingly, UAE suppliers are being asked by multinational clients, procurement teams, and EcoVadis assessors to measure and report their carbon footprint. Those who cannot provide emissions data risk losing contracts or being deprioritised in global supply chains.
Why UAE companies work with consultants for GHG Assessments
Many businesses attempt carbon accounting internally but quickly realise the complexity involved. Working with an experienced consultant brings several advantages:
- Ensures Compliance with Global Standards
An accurate GHG assessment requires strict adherence to internationally accepted methodologies.
A consultant ensures:
- Correct application of the GHG Protocol
- Mapping emissions across all relevant Scopes (1, 2, 3)
- Selecting appropriate emission factors (UAE-specific where possible)
- Alignment with EcoVadis carbon scoring
- Integration with frameworks such as ISO 14064, SBTi, CDP, IFRS S2
- Audit-ready calculations and documentation
This significantly reduces the risk of miscalculations, omissions, or credibility issues.
- Saves Internal Time, Effort & Resource
GHG assessments require extensive data collection across departments such as:
- Operations
- Facilities
- Procurement
- HR & travel
- Finance
- Supply chain
- Waste management
A consultant:
- Designs structured data collection templates
- Coordinates cross-departmental information gathering
- Identifies and resolves data gaps
- Reduces the workload on internal teams
This allows staff to stay focused on core business functions.
- Ensures Data Accuracy & Strong Carbon Metrics
High-quality carbon data is critical for EcoVadis, sustainability ratings, climate disclosures, and client audits.
Consultants support by:
- Validating activity data for accuracy
- Selecting correct emission factors (global, regional, and UAE-specific)
- Calculating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions using GHG-aligned methodologies
- Preparing verification-ready spreadsheets
- Benchmarking results against industry norms
Accurate data builds stronger credibility with regulators, clients, and rating agencies.
What a consultant does during a GHG assessment project
Here is what UAE companies can expect when working with a professional carbon accounting partner:
- GHG Readiness Assessment & Gap Analysis
The process begins by evaluating your current position:
- Review existing data sources (fuel, utilities, travel, procurement, logistics)
- Identify gaps in documentation
- Map your activities against the GHG Protocol
- Develop a structured action plan
This creates clarity before data collection begins.
- Data Collection & Emissions Calculation
Carbon footprinting requires detailed environmental and operational data. Consultants support by:
- Designing templates for energy, fuel, refrigerants, logistics, and purchased goods
- Coordinating internally with functional teams
- Collecting Scope 1, 2, and 3 data
- Conducting emissions calculations
- Validating data completeness
This forms the core of your carbon footprint.
- Supply Chain (Scope 3) Assessment
For many UAE businesses (especially suppliers) Scope 3 emissions represent 70–90% of their footprint.
Consultants manage:
- Supplier engagement and request templates
- Category-level emissions modelling
- Spend-based or activity-based calculations
- Benchmarking and improvement recommendations
This is essential for EcoVadis scoring and client tenders.
- Carbon Footprint Report & Documentation
Once the assessment is complete, the consultant prepares:
- A full carbon footprint report
- Emissions tables (Scope 1, 2, and 3)
- Methodology and boundaries
- Emission factors and calculation notes
- Recommendations for reduction and improvement
- EcoVadis-ready documentation
This ensures your business can confidently submit the report to clients and rating bodies.
- Audit Support, EcoVadis Submission & Next Steps
Before submission, consultants help with:
- Reviewing all calculations
- Preparing supporting evidence
- Uploading GHG documentation for EcoVadis
- Advising on carbon reduction strategies
- Supporting decarbonisation roadmaps
- Ensuring your data is ready for future audits
This results in a high-quality, credible carbon footprint.
Why work with us for GHG Assessment in the UAE & GCC
We operate with a senior-led, hands-on, and results driven model:
- A dedicated expert consultant leads every project
- Direct involvement in data collection, calculations, and reporting
- Experience across UAE and GCC sectors including manufacturing, chemicals, steel, hospitality, logistics, pharma, and energy
- Expertise in carbon accounting, EcoVadis documentation, ESG ratings, and decarbonisation strategies
- Practical solutions tailored to UAE operations and supply chains
This ensures a fast, structured, and credible carbon footprinting process.
Carbon accounting is now essential for UAE businesses
As sustainability expectations rise across global supply chains, carbon footprinting has become a core business requirement for UAE companies. Whether driven by EcoVadis requests, client tenders, regulatory readiness, or ESG strategy, producing an accurate GHG assessment strengthens your company’s position.
Working with an experienced consultant ensures:
- Accurate and reliable emissions data
- Compliance with global GHG standards
- Streamlined project management
- Stronger sustainability strategy
- Improved credibility with customers and partners
If your organisation is preparing a GHG assessment or needs support with EcoVadis carbon requirements, the right guidance can transform carbon accounting from a compliance obligation into a strategic advantage.
Are you ready to conduct your GHG assessment?
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