9:14 am - February 14, 2026
**Dubai**: Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has introduced its inaugural Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework, marking a global first for Islamic banks. The initiative aims to support climate-positive actions in the UAE, aligning with international sustainability standards and enhancing the bank’s ESG commitments.
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), recognised as the largest Islamic bank in the United Arab Emirates, has recently unveiled its inaugural Sustainability-Linked Finance Facilities Financing Framework. This significant development marks the first instance of such a framework being published by an Islamic bank globally. The initiative is aimed at bolstering climate-positive actions within the country and adheres to the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles and Guidelines (SLLBG) established by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).
The newly launched framework delineates a comprehensive set of definitions regarding eligible Sustainability-Linked Finance (SLF) Facilities, enabling DIB to structure various financial instruments intended for the issuance and refinancing of components aligned with climate change mitigation efforts. To ensure the framework’s credibility and effectiveness, it incorporates specific Key Performance Indicators and Sustainability Performance Targets that comply with guidelines set by the ICMA. Moreover, all SLF Facilities associated with this framework will abide by the Loan Market Association’s (LMA) Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles (SLLP).
Dr. Adnan Chilwan, the Group Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Islamic Bank, emphasised the significance of this milestone in enhancing the bank’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) journey. Speaking to The National, Dr. Chilwan remarked that the new framework bolsters DIB’s commitment to sustainability, building upon their earlier Sustainable Finance Framework introduced in 2022. He noted that this initiative plays a crucial role in the bank’s strategy entitled “Finance a Sustainable Future,” which aims for 15% of its portfolio to be comprised of sustainable finance by the year 2030.
Dr. Chilwan further highlighted that the framework is designed to assist both existing and new clients at national and international levels in their transitions towards sustainable business models, thereby facilitating positive climate impacts. He commended the framework for providing a clear comprehension of environmental and climate-positive commitments throughout these sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, DIB has committed to publishing an allocation and impact report concerning their Sustainability-Linked Finance instruments at least once annually. The SLF Facilities featured in this report will undergo assessment through a Second Party Opinion (SPO) and receive limited assurances from an independent entity. ISS-Corporate (ISS) has already issued an SPO confirming the framework’s alignment with the ICMA’s SLLBG. Standard Chartered Bank played a pivotal role in the development of the framework, serving as the sole service provider.
Moreover, alongside this recent achievement, DIB has also renewed its Asset-Based Sustainable Finance Framework for 2024, which has similarly obtained a Second Party Opinion from ISS.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.publicnow.com/view/4E3D79B40CDC63A806BEFE57921111F0C7E0EEEF?1740390465 – This press release details the launch of Dubai Islamic Bank’s inaugural Sustainability-Linked Finance Facilities Financing Framework, affirming that it is the first framework of its kind published by an Islamic bank globally.
- https://www.dib.ae/about-us/news/2025/02/23/dubai-islamic-bank-publishes-its-first-sustainability-linked-finance-facilities-financing-framework – This article elaborates on the framework’s objectives and highlights how it adheres to the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles by the ICMA, thus supporting the claims of DIB’s commitment to sustainability.
- https://www.dib.ae/docs/default-source/pdf/sustainability/dib-sustainability-linked-finance-facilities-financing-framework-2025.pdf?sfvrsn=fdb96481_3 – The document provides a detailed description of the Sustainability-Linked Finance Facilities framework, including its definitions, methodologies, and compliance with international guidelines, supporting the claims made about its structure and function.
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/banking/dubai-islamic-bank-launches-first-sustainability-linked-finance-facilities-financing-framework-1.1598025 – This article discusses Dr. Adnan Chilwan’s statements regarding the framework’s significance in DIB’s ESG journey and its goal of achieving 15% of the bank’s portfolio in sustainable finance by 2030, corroborating claims from the article.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/markets/sukuk/dubai-islamic-bank-launches-sustainability-linked-finance-facility-framework-pi9je3mv – This news piece affirms DIB’s commitment to sustainability and the framework’s role in facilitating the transition of clients towards sustainable business models, echoing claims made in the original article.
- https://www.issgovernance.com/iss-corporate-solutions-issues-second-party-opinion-global-sustainability-linked-finance-frameworks/ – This report discusses the Second Party Opinion (SPO) issued by ISS-Corporate for DIB’s framework, which supports the claim regarding the framework’s alignment with the guidelines of the ICMA.
- https://www.businessoutreach.in/dubai-islamic-bank-sustainability-finance-framework/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent developments and timelines (e.g., Dubai Islamic Bank’s framework in 2024), indicating current relevance. However, without specific publication dates in the content, some uncertainty remains.
Quotes check
Score:
4
Notes:
While Dr. Adnan Chilwan is quoted, no specific online source or earliest reference to these exact quotes could be found. This suggests they might be original but lack external verification.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative references well-known entities like Dubai Islamic Bank and the International Capital Market Association, enhancing credibility. However, the origin of the text is from Business Outreach, a less mainstream source.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims align with current trends in sustainable finance and banking practices, making them plausible. The narrative also cites international guidelines and large institutions, supporting its credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
Overall, the narrative appears to be fresh and aligned with contemporary financial trends. Although the quotes lack verification and the source is not as well-established as major news outlets, the information seems plausible due to its alignment with recent developments in sustainability finance. Further verification could strengthen confidence.
