Environmental, social and governance (ESG) emerging trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; reflections from senior practitioners

Purpose – Environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks have gained significant traction globally,
driven initially by the environmental imperative of climate change. Yet the social and governance dimensions
are increasingly central to sustainable business strategy. This study examines the interdependence of all three
ESG dimensions, identifying trends and patterns of implementation among senior leaders in the Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) region.
Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with
11 C-suite leaders across diverse industries.
Findings – The ESG pillars produced interconnected sub-themes centred on resource allocation,
implementation barriers and the critical role of committed leadership. The findings underscore the
importance of sustainability communication and stakeholder reporting and demonstrate that ESG strategies
grounded in creating shared value (CSV) tend to produce more resilient and sustainable business models by
orienting value creation towards all stakeholders and the environment.
Research limitations/implications – This study addresses an underrepresented context in the ESG literature,
affirming the significance of stakeholder theory, stewardship-driven leadership and resource-based capabilities
to ESG performance, and positioning CSVas a complete strategic framework for organisations seeking to move
beyond compliance. Executive commitment, measurement capability and regulatory alignment emerge as the
governance conditions most predictive of sustained ESG integration.
Practical implications – The study synthesises real-world insights on leadership practice, measurement,
reporting, regulation and resource deployment into a practical framework that can be applied across different
contexts to build credible business cases for sustainability.
Social implications – Embedding community value creation and stakeholder engagement within ESG strategy
contributes to broader societal outcomes, including workforce development and environmental stewardship.
Originality/value – This study offers a non-Western perspective on ESG implementation, grounded in the
experience of senior leaders operating across the MENA region. The resulting framework offers a new lens on
existing, largely Western ESG models and a transferable reference point for practitioners globally, contributing
geographic and cultural diversity to the growing body of ESG knowledge.