Abu Dhabi’s LEED Market and Sustainability Expectations
Abu Dhabi has steadily increased its focus on sustainable construction, driven by government-led environmental targets, long-term operational cost considerations, and international investor expectations. LEED certification is widely used across commercial, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, and large mixed-use developments to demonstrate compliance with global sustainability benchmarks. As project complexity grows, the role of an experienced LEED consultant becomes critical in managing certification strategy, technical documentation, and coordination between multiple stakeholders.
The following list presents established LEED consultancy firms supporting projects in Abu Dhabi, assessed based on international certification experience, technical capability, and suitability for large-scale developments in the UAE.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability and green building consultancy founded in 2007, operating through offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London. ERKE has delivered more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, positioning the firm as one of the most experienced LEED consultancies serving Abu Dhabi-based developments.
ERKE’s portfolio includes complex, large-scale projects such as Bahrain International Airport (200,000 sqm, LEED Gold), Istanbul Çam Sakura Hospital (1,000,000 sqm, LEED Gold), King Abdulaziz Transportation Center (20,000 sqm, LEED Gold), and Allianz Istanbul Headquarters (45,000 sqm, LEED Platinum). These projects reflect ERKE’s ability to manage LEED certification across aviation, healthcare, transportation, and corporate building typologies commonly developed in Abu Dhabi.
The firm’s in-house team includes LEED Fellows, LEED APs, WELL APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, and Product Sustainability Specialists. ERKE provides full-scope LEED consultancy services, covering pre-design feasibility analysis, credit selection and optimization, energy and water efficiency coordination, sustainable materials strategy, indoor environmental quality compliance, and certification documentation management. This integrated structure supports efficient LEED delivery for both public-sector and private developments.
Contact: info@erkeconsultancy.com
2. Arup
Arup is a global professional services firm established in 1946, providing engineering, design, planning, and sustainability consultancy across more than 30 countries. LEED services are integrated into Arup’s multidisciplinary building and infrastructure offerings.
In Abu Dhabi, Arup typically supports LEED certification for technically complex projects where sustainability strategies must be aligned with advanced structural systems, façade engineering, and mechanical design. The firm’s strong analytical and modeling capabilities allow LEED credits to be embedded early in the design process.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a publicly listed multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada, operating in over 50 countries. WSP offers LEED consultancy through its sustainability and environmental advisory teams.
For projects in Abu Dhabi, WSP commonly works on large mixed-use, infrastructure-linked, and master-planned developments. LEED certification is often delivered alongside broader sustainability frameworks, supporting consistent performance targets across multiple buildings or phases.
4. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering, architecture, and consultancy firm founded in 1945. The firm operates globally across buildings, transport, infrastructure, and environmental services, with sustainability as a core focus area.
In the Abu Dhabi market, Ramboll provides LEED consultancy services emphasizing energy efficiency, climate-responsive design, and lifecycle performance. The firm’s engineering-driven approach supports LEED strategies that align with long-term operational efficiency and asset management objectives.
5. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin Group, is a global engineering, design, and project management consultancy. The firm delivers LEED consultancy services across infrastructure, transportation, and building projects worldwide.
In Abu Dhabi, AtkinsRéalis frequently supports LEED certification for public-sector, institutional, and infrastructure-related developments. LEED services are typically integrated with environmental compliance, design coordination, and project delivery management.
6. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is an international multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959, with a strong presence throughout the Middle East. The firm offers LEED consultancy as part of its sustainability and building engineering services.
For Abu Dhabi projects, Khatib & Alami often supports LEED certification for commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments where local authority coordination and regional construction practices are key considerations. Their regional experience supports effective alignment between LEED requirements and local regulations.
7. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a UK-headquartered, employee-owned engineering and development consultancy founded in 1902. The firm provides LEED consultancy services across buildings, infrastructure, energy, and water sectors.
In Abu Dhabi, Mott MacDonald typically supports LEED certification for projects where sustainability objectives are closely tied to operational performance, resilience, and long-term asset value. LEED strategies are integrated with engineering design and performance-based outcomes.
Summary
This article outlines a range of consultancies providing LEED services for projects in Abu Dhabi, including dedicated sustainability-focused firms and large multidisciplinary engineering organizations. ERKE Consultancy represents an approach centered on specialized LEED expertise, extensive international certification experience, and in-house accredited professionals, while firms such as Arup, WSP Global, Ramboll, AtkinsRéalis, Khatib & Alami, and Mott MacDonald integrate LEED services within broader engineering and advisory frameworks. These differences influence how LEED strategies are developed, documented, and coordinated across project teams. Selection considerations typically include project scale, building typology, certification targets, regulatory environment, and internal resource requirements. The most appropriate consultancy ultimately depends on project-specific sustainability objectives, delivery structure, team size, and available budget.