Majid Al Futtaim, the Dubai-based conglomerate best known for its interests in the Middle East’s shopping mall, retail and leisure establishment sectors, is helping Dubai become one of the top 10 sustainable cities in the world by 2020, says the Arab Organisation for Social Responsibility.

The company won the organisation’s Golden Excellence Shield Award.

Ibrahim Al Zubi, head of sustainability at Majid Al Futtaim, said: “The ambition to become one of the world’s most sustainable cities by 2020 must be supported by the private sector working together in partnership with the government to execute initiatives that will help achieve this goal. At Majid Al Futtaim we want to lead by example by applying international best practices across our entire business operations and portfolio of brands. In doing so we hope to transform the economic and social development of Dubai and the wider Middle East region.”

Other areas where the company has made a significant impact across its assets include: saving Dh1.5 million in hotels as a result of environmental investment, achieving LEED Gold certification on a third of its buildings including City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Fujairah and City Centre Beirut and contributing Dh11.7 million towards community investment. 

Al Zubi added: “Practically we want to develop and manage better buildings that are highly environmentally efficient to deliver social and economic benefits to our communities, customers and supply chain. By embedding sustainability in our business we increase the value of our brand, boost long-term profitability, create new business opportunities, and maintain our talented workforce.”

Pierre Moukarzel‎‏, founder and president of the Arab Organisation for Social Responsibility, said: “Majid Al Futtaim’s achievements highlight the significant role that the private sector can play in developing sustainable business solutions. As corporate responsibility awareness grows across the Middle East region this will act as a catalyst for innovation across industries and geographies in support of important national goals.”