Dubai: Emirates NBD has secured a green term loan for Galadari Sports’ new Al Quoz complex targeting Sa’fat Gold certification, marking a major step in sustainable recreational infrastructure aligned with UAE’s net-zero goals and corporate green financing trends.
Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the MENAT region, has secured a new Green Term Loan Facility with Galadari Sports, part of the prominent Dubai-based conglomerate Galadari Brothers. This financing will support the construction of a cutting-edge sports complex in Dubai’s Al Quoz neighbourhood, designed to meet the stringent requirements of Dubai Municipality’s Sa’fat Gold certification for green buildings. The project represents one of the few privately funded developments aiming for this high environmental standard, positioning it as a flagship initiative in sustainable recreational infrastructure. The complex will feature amenities including swimming pools, gyms, squash, and padel courts, with power and utilities sourced through sustainable technologies such as solar panels and water recycling systems.
The facility aligns with Emirates NBD’s Sustainable Finance Framework and complies with the official Loan Market Association (LMA) Green Loan Principles. This ensures that the building processes and materials used will follow strict environmental protocols, complemented by regular monitoring and annual impact assessments to verify ongoing compliance. The deal underscores Emirates NBD’s strategic commitment to fostering the UAE’s transition to a green, low-carbon economy, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the UAE’s Vision 2030 and Net Zero 2050 agendas. According to Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, this transaction exemplifies how sustainability-linked financing is instrumental in advancing the UAE’s net-zero ambitions by enabling collaborations that combine responsible investment with long-term economic and environmental value.
Galadari Brothers Co-Chairman and Group CEO Mohammed Galadari echoed this commitment, highlighting how the project reflects their long-term vision of sustainable development and energy-efficient infrastructure. He emphasised that their partnership with Emirates NBD signifies a key milestone, reinforcing their dedication to future-focused, eco-friendly growth within the wellness and recreation sector, with sustainability as a core strategic pillar.
This new green term loan facility by Emirates NBD complements other sustainability initiatives by Galadari Brothers, including a collaboration with Mashreq Bank to fund green retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades at their flagship hotel property in Sri Lanka. This parallel initiative underlines the group’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and reduced emissions, setting new standards for eco-conscious business practices within their diverse portfolio.
Emirates NBD’s role in advancing sustainable finance extends beyond this project, as evidenced by their recent arrangement of a sustainability-linked short-term loan for the UAE-based Chalhoub Group. This deal, the first of its kind for Chalhoub, links loan pricing to the company’s performance against key sustainability indicators, embedding environmental responsibility within financial incentives. This variety of deals highlights the growing integration of sustainability within corporate financing frameworks across the region, indicating a shifting landscape towards greener urban development and business operations.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://focus.hidubai.com/new-green-term-loan-secured-for-galadari-sports-facility-in-dubai/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://focus.hidubai.com/new-green-term-loan-secured-for-galadari-sports-facility-in-dubai/ – Emirates NBD has successfully completed a Green Term Loan Facility with Galadari Sports, part of Galadari Brothers, to fund the construction of a new sports complex in Dubai. The facility will adhere to Dubai Municipality’s Sa’fat Gold certification for green buildings and align with Emirates NBD’s Sustainable Finance Framework. Located in Al Quoz, the complex will feature swimming pools, gyms, squash and padel courts, powered by sustainable systems including solar panels and water recycling. This project supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 agenda and sets new standards in sustainability for recreational buildings.
- https://www.mashreq.com/en/uae/news/2023/november/mashreq-galadari-brothers/ – Mashreq Bank has partnered with Galadari Brothers Co. LLC to provide a green loan facility aimed at reducing emissions and promoting decarbonisation initiatives. The loan will support green retrofits and energy efficiency technologies in Galadari Brothers’ flagship hotel property in Sri Lanka. This collaboration reflects both organisations’ commitment to environmental sustainability and sets a new standard for eco-conscious business practices.
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/environment/galadari-brothers-collaborates-with-mashreq-for-sustainable-environment – Galadari Brothers Co. LLC has collaborated with Mashreq Bank to secure a green loan facility, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability. The loan will fund green retrofits and energy efficiency technologies in Galadari Brothers’ flagship hotel property in Sri Lanka. This partnership underscores both organisations’ commitment to reducing energy consumption and emissions, addressing climate change, and setting new standards for eco-conscious business practices.
- https://www.insidemena.com/ae-en/galadari-brothers-partners-with-mashreq/ – Galadari Brothers Co. LLC has partnered with Mashreq Bank to promote a green loan facility, marking a notable step towards environmental sustainability. The loan will support green retrofits and energy efficiency technologies in Galadari Brothers’ hotel properties in Sri Lanka. This collaboration reflects both organisations’ commitment to reducing energy consumption and emissions, addressing climate change, and setting new standards for eco-conscious business practices.
- https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2023/December/12-12/Emirates-NBD – Emirates NBD has successfully arranged a strategic bilateral loan for UAE-based Chalhoub Group, the Middle East’s largest luxury goods retailer and distributor. The short-term loan facility marks the first sustainability-linked loan for Chalhoub Group and aligns with its Net Zero action plan, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and the UAE’s Vision 2040. The loan’s pricing structure is linked to Chalhoub Group’s performance against key Sustainable Performance Indicators, encouraging the company to adopt more responsible and sustainable operational practices.
- https://www.emiratesnbd.com/en/media-center/emirates-nbd-arranges-sustainability-linked-short-term-loan-with-chalhoub-group – Emirates NBD has arranged a strategic bilateral loan for UAE-based Chalhoub Group, the Middle East’s largest luxury goods retailer and distributor. The short-term loan facility marks the first sustainability-linked loan for Chalhoub Group and aligns with its Net Zero action plan, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and the UAE’s Vision 2040. The loan’s pricing structure is linked to Chalhoub Group’s performance against key Sustainable Performance Indicators, encouraging the company to adopt more responsible and sustainable operational practices.
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:
10
Notes:
The narrative is dated June 20, 2025, and appears to be original, with no prior publications found. The article includes updated data and references to recent events, suggesting a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Ahmed Al Qassim and Mohammed Galadari are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found. This suggests original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from focus.hidubai.com, a platform that aggregates content from various sources. While it provides timely information, its credibility depends on the original sources of the aggregated content. The report cites Burson Global as the news source, but no direct link to the original press release is provided. This lack of transparency raises questions about the reliability of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Emirates NBD’s commitment to sustainable finance and the construction of a green-certified sports complex align with the bank’s known initiatives. However, the absence of direct links to official press releases or reputable news outlets makes it challenging to fully verify the details. The language and tone are consistent with corporate communications, but the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets warrants caution.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative appears fresh and includes unique quotes, the reliance on an aggregated source without direct links to original press releases or reputable news outlets raises concerns about the reliability and verifiability of the information. The plausibility of the claims is supported by known initiatives of Emirates NBD, but the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets warrants further scrutiny.
