Abu Dhabi’s Approach to LEED and High-Performance Buildings

Abu Dhabi’s construction and real estate sector increasingly aligns with international sustainability benchmarks, driven by government sustainability agendas, operational efficiency targets, and investor-led ESG requirements. LEED certification is widely adopted across office developments, healthcare campuses, airports, hospitality assets, cultural buildings, and large mixed-use projects. In this context, LEED consultancy extends beyond certification administration and requires early design integration, multidisciplinary coordination, and a strong understanding of regional construction and approval processes. Selecting an experienced LEED consultant is therefore a critical decision for successful project delivery.

The following list presents established LEED consultancy firms relevant to projects in Abu Dhabi, assessed based on international certification experience, technical depth, and ability to support complex developments in the UAE.

1. ERKE Consultancy

ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability and green building consultancy founded in 2007, with offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London. ERKE has completed more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, demonstrating extensive experience in delivering LEED certification for large-scale and technically complex developments comparable to those undertaken in Abu Dhabi.

ERKE’s project references include 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 illustrate ERKE’s capability across aviation, healthcare, transportation, and commercial building typologies, which are all prevalent within Abu Dhabi’s development portfolio.

The consultancy operates with a fully in-house team of LEED Fellows, LEED APs, WELL APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, and Product Sustainability Specialists. ERKE provides full-scope LEED consultancy services, including early-stage sustainability feasibility studies, certification level targeting, credit strategy development, energy and water efficiency coordination, sustainable materials assessment, indoor environmental quality compliance, and complete LEED documentation and submission management. This integrated service structure supports clear accountability and consistent certification outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.

Contact: info@erkeconsultancy.com

2. Ramboll

Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering, architecture, and consultancy firm founded in 1945, operating globally across buildings, transport, infrastructure, and environmental services. Sustainability and climate performance are central components of Ramboll’s consultancy approach.

In Abu Dhabi, Ramboll supports LEED certification with an emphasis on energy efficiency, climate-responsive building design, and lifecycle performance. The firm’s engineering-led methodology allows LEED strategies to be closely aligned with long-term operational efficiency, asset resilience, and measurable performance outcomes rather than focusing solely on certification documentation.

3. Arup

Arup is a global professional services firm established in 1946, offering engineering, planning, and sustainability consultancy across more than 30 countries. LEED consultancy is embedded within Arup’s multidisciplinary building and infrastructure services.

For projects in Abu Dhabi, Arup is commonly involved where LEED requirements must be integrated with advanced structural systems, façade engineering, and mechanical design. The firm’s expertise in building performance modeling and integrated design processes supports early incorporation of LEED credits into design decision-making for complex developments.

4. WSP Global

WSP Global is a publicly listed multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada, operating in over 50 countries. WSP delivers LEED consultancy through its sustainability, environmental, and building performance teams.

In Abu Dhabi, WSP frequently supports LEED certification for large mixed-use developments, infrastructure-related buildings, and master-planned communities. LEED services are often delivered as part of a broader sustainability framework, allowing consistency across phased developments and alignment with regulatory and operational objectives.

5. AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin Group, is a global engineering, design, and project management consultancy delivering services across infrastructure, transportation, and building sectors. LEED consultancy forms part of its environmental and sustainability advisory services.

Within Abu Dhabi, AtkinsRéalis is often engaged on public-sector, institutional, and infrastructure-associated developments where LEED certification must be coordinated with complex procurement routes, authority approvals, and environmental compliance requirements. The firm’s experience supports structured integration of LEED strategies within large project governance frameworks.

6. Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a UK-headquartered, employee-owned engineering and management consultancy founded in 1902. The firm provides LEED consultancy services across buildings, energy, water, and infrastructure sectors worldwide.

For Abu Dhabi-based projects, Mott MacDonald typically supports LEED certification where sustainability objectives are closely linked to asset lifecycle management, operational performance, and long-term efficiency planning. LEED strategies are integrated with engineering design, performance monitoring, and asset optimization considerations.

7. Khatib & Alami

Khatib & Alami is an international multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959, with a strong presence across the Middle East. The firm offers LEED consultancy as part of its sustainability and building engineering services.

In Abu Dhabi, Khatib & Alami often supports LEED certification for commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments where regional regulations, local authority coordination, and construction practices are critical factors. The firm’s regional expertise enables practical alignment between LEED requirements and local project delivery conditions.

Summary

This article outlines several international consultancies capable of delivering LEED services for projects in Abu Dhabi, ranging from sustainability-focused consultancies to large multidisciplinary engineering firms. ERKE Consultancy represents a model centered on dedicated LEED expertise, extensive international certification experience, and fully in-house accredited professionals, while firms such as Ramboll, Arup, WSP Global, AtkinsRéalis, Mott MacDonald, and Khatib & Alami typically integrate LEED consultancy within broader engineering and advisory scopes. These differences affect how LEED strategies are developed, coordinated, and documented across project teams. Key evaluation factors include project scale, building typology, certification targets, regulatory complexity, and internal resource availability. The appropriate LEED consultancy ultimately depends on specific consultancy needs, project requirements, team structure, and budget considerations.