ADNEC Group grows workforce 55% as emissions and resource intensity decline

ADNEC Group has reported its highest-ever economic contribution to the UAE alongside a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as the Abu Dhabi-based group published its 2025 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report.

The report marks the tenth consecutive year of ESG reporting by ADNEC Group, a Modon company, and highlights progress across economic impact, emissions, clean energy, resource efficiency, workforce development and social impact.

In 2025, ADNEC Group contributed AED 9.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UAE economy and supported more than 70,000 jobs. The group welcomed more than 6.3 million visitors to over 1,149 events across its global venues during the year.

At the same time, the group reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 3%, while carbon intensity per employee fell by 39%. Water intensity per visitor also declined by 47% across the group, while electricity consumed per event at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi fell by 35%.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said the results demonstrated the group's focus on combining business growth with sustainability.

“2025 marked another major step forward in our commitment to responsible growth and long-term value creation,” Al Dhaheri said. “We delivered our highest-ever economic contribution while reducing our absolute emissions.”

ADNEC Group said 100% of the clean energy used at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and ADNEC Centre Al Ain is supplied through its partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC).

The group signed a new clean energy agreement covering ADNEC Centre Al Ain in 2025. The electricity is verified through International Renewable Energy Certificates issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy.

The group is also developing a 5 MWp rooftop solar system at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, which is expected to generate around 8.57 million kWh annually and meet nearly 30% of the venue's electricity demand.

Waste management also improved during the year, with 61% of waste recycled or diverted from landfill, compared with 44% in 2024.

ADNEC Group's workforce grew by 55% to nearly 9,000 employees in 2025. The number of women in senior management positions increased by 31%.

The group also reported zero employee lost-time injuries, zero fatalities and zero major environmental spills during the year.

All company sites and offices are certified to ISO 14001, while all ADNEC Group companies are certified to ISO 27001.

The group also launched its Social Impact Strategy and Toolkit in 2025. The framework is intended to measure social value generated through ADNEC's events, venues, tourism, media and services ecosystem, including employment, SME participation, knowledge transfer, inclusion and community access.

ADNEC Group's updated Decarbonisation Roadmap targets net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, followed by full net zero across all emissions scopes by 2045.

The 2045 target is five years ahead of the UAE's national net-zero target, according to the company.

ADNEC Group said its 2025 sustainability performance was recognised through the UAE Year of Sustainability “Plan to Action” Seal, the Majra UAE Impact Seal Gold Tier for Large Companies and four honours at the Gulf Sustainability Awards 2025. ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi was also recognised by the International Congress and Convention Association as a “Model Venue for Sustainable Business Events.”