Investors
Investors and index providers
Fund managers and ESG ratings agencies already score Saudi listed companies, whether or not they report. A clear report puts your own numbers in front of them.
Saudi Arabia
Sustainability and ESG in Saudi Arabia
ESG disclosure is still voluntary for most Saudi companies, but investors, lenders and customers are already asking for it. We help Saudi companies report credibly now, so they are ready when the rules become mandatory.
VoluntarySaudi Exchange ESG Disclosure Guidelines for listed companies
Requireddisclosure for Saudi riyal green, social and sustainability-linked debt since May 2025
2060Saudi Arabia's net-zero target
The rules today
Where Saudi ESG regulation stands
There is no general sustainability reporting mandate in Saudi Arabia yet. Regulators have signalled that one is coming, and that it is likely to follow the ISSB standards (IFRS S1 and S2). Companies that report voluntarily now will find the move to mandatory reporting far easier.
| Rule or guidance | What it means |
|---|---|
| Saudi Exchange ESG Disclosure Guidelines (2021) | Voluntary guidance for listed companies on environmental, social and governance disclosure |
| CMA Guidelines for green, social, sustainable and sustainability-linked debt (May 2025) | Issuers of these Saudi riyal instruments must disclose any departure from the guidelines in their framework or offering documents |
| ISSB (IFRS S1 and S2) | The expected direction for future mandatory reporting; no adoption date has been set |
| National ESG guidelines | Unified national guidance is being developed |
| Greenhouse gas reporting | No general mandatory rule for companies yet, but customers, lenders and EU buyers increasingly ask for emissions data |
Last checked October 2026. Rules are changing quickly; we confirm the current position with every client.
Why act before a mandate
Finance
Banks and green finance
Green and sustainability-linked loans, bonds and sukuk need credible targets, KPIs and emissions data before a lender or arranger will price them.
Customers
Customers and supply chains
Large buyers in the Kingdom and exporters' customers in Europe now ask suppliers for emissions data and ESG policies as part of tenders and contracts.
Readiness
Ready for the mandate
The first report is the hardest: setting up data, owners and controls. Doing it now means a future mandatory report is an update, not a scramble.
How we help Saudi companies
Start here
ESG Readiness Evaluation
A short, fixed-fee review of where you stand against the Saudi Exchange guidelines, ISSB and the questions your investors, lenders and customers are asking, with a costed plan.
About the evaluation →Reporting
Sustainability and ESG reporting
A GRI-aligned sustainability report that also covers the Saudi Exchange metrics, with an ISSB climate index so you are ready for the next step.
About reporting →Carbon
Carbon accounting and decarbonisation
A greenhouse gas inventory to the GHG Protocol, covering Scope 1, 2 and the Scope 3 categories that matter, and a practical reduction plan.
About carbon accounting →Strategy
Sustainability strategy
Targets, KPIs and a costed roadmap that support your growth plans and stand up in a green or sustainability-linked financing.
About strategy →Certifications
Certifications and ratings
Support to achieve ISO 14001 and EPDs, and to improve your MSCI, Sustainalytics and CDP ratings.
About certifications →People
Staff engagement workshops
Three-hour workshops on climate, circular economy or biodiversity, run on site for your teams in the Kingdom.
About workshops →Working with us
Senior-led, across the Kingdom
We work with Saudi companies from our base in the UAE, with on-site workshops, interviews and data sessions in the Kingdom whenever they help. A senior consultant leads every engagement, and fees are fixed before we start.
We are currently supporting a company listed on the Saudi Exchange with its sustainability work, and have helped more than 150 companies across the GCC since 2019.
Common questions
Is ESG reporting mandatory in Saudi Arabia?
Not yet for most companies. The Saudi Exchange ESG Disclosure Guidelines are voluntary. Issuers of Saudi riyal green, social, sustainable and sustainability-linked debt must disclose any departure from the CMA's guidelines. Regulators have signalled that mandatory reporting aligned with ISSB is the likely next step, but no date has been set.
Which framework should a Saudi company use?
Most Saudi companies start with the GRI Standards, which cover the widest range of topics, and map the report to the Saudi Exchange metrics. Adding an ISSB (IFRS S2) climate index prepares you for where regulation is heading.
Do Saudi companies have to report their greenhouse gas emissions?
There is no general mandatory rule for companies yet. In practice, investors, lenders, large customers and EU buyers increasingly ask for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and sometimes Scope 3, so an inventory to the GHG Protocol is usually the first piece of work.
How long does a first sustainability report take?
Typically three to four months, from materiality to a finished report. Most of that time goes into collecting data for the first time, which is much quicker in later years.
Where should we start?
With our ESG Readiness Evaluation: a short, fixed-fee review of where you stand and what to do first, with a costed plan you can take to your board.
Talk to us
Tell us where you are on sustainability and we will suggest the right first step.
info@livingbusiness.com
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