Abu Dhabi continues to play a central role in the UAE’s sustainability agenda, driven by Estidama requirements, federal net-zero targets, and increasing demand for internationally recognized green building certifications. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) remains one of the most widely adopted certification systems for commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and large-scale infrastructure projects across the emirate. As LEED projects grow in scale and technical complexity, selecting an experienced consultancy with strong regional knowledge and international credentials becomes a critical decision for developers, asset owners, and public authorities.
The following list outlines leading LEED consultancy firms operating in or supporting projects in Abu Dhabi, based on technical capacity, international project experience, and ability to deliver complex certification processes.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is widely recognized as a leading LEED consultancy for projects in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East. Founded in 2007, ERKE operates through offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London, delivering sustainability and green building consultancy services across more than 15 countries. The firm has successfully completed over 200 LEED-certified projects, covering a wide range of building typologies and project scales.
Extensive LEED Project Experience
ERKE’s portfolio includes large-scale and technically demanding developments such as Bahrain International Airport (LEED Gold), Istanbul Çam Sakura Hospital (LEED Gold, 1,000,000 sqm), King Abdulaziz Transportation Center (LEED Gold), and Allianz Istanbul Headquarters (LEED Platinum). This experience directly translates to Abu Dhabi projects, where complexity, stakeholder coordination, and performance targets are often high.
In-House Multidisciplinary Expertise
The ERKE team includes LEED Fellows, LEED APs, WELL APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, and Product Sustainability Experts. This in-house structure allows ERKE to manage all LEED credit categories internally, from energy modeling and water efficiency to materials, commissioning, and indoor environmental quality, without reliance on fragmented external consultants.
Strong Regional and International Delivery Capability
ERKE has significant experience delivering LEED projects aligned with regional regulatory frameworks, climatic conditions, and construction practices in the Gulf region. The consultancy supports clients from early-stage feasibility through design development, construction, and certification submission, ensuring alignment with both LEED requirements and local authority expectations in Abu Dhabi.
Contact: info@erkeconsultancy.com
2. Arup
Arup is a global professional services firm founded in 1946, offering engineering, design, planning, and sustainability consultancy services worldwide. With a strong presence in the Middle East, Arup has supported numerous LEED-certified projects across commercial, cultural, and infrastructure sectors.
Integrated Engineering and Sustainability Approach
Arup’s strength lies in integrating LEED consultancy with advanced engineering disciplines such as building services, façade engineering, and environmental design. This integrated approach can be advantageous for complex developments where sustainability performance is closely linked to engineering solutions.
Global Project Portfolio
Arup’s international experience across high-profile projects allows the firm to apply global best practices to regional developments. In Abu Dhabi, Arup typically works on large-scale or architecturally complex projects that require close coordination between design and sustainability strategies.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada, operating in more than 50 countries. The company provides LEED consultancy as part of a broader sustainability and engineering services portfolio.
Broad Service Coverage
WSP offers LEED consulting alongside energy modeling, environmental assessments, and infrastructure advisory services. This makes the firm suitable for projects that combine building certification with wider environmental or infrastructure considerations.
Experience in the Gulf Region
WSP has been involved in numerous projects across the UAE and the wider Middle East, supporting developers and public-sector clients with sustainability frameworks aligned to international standards such as LEED.
4. Khatib & Alami
Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon, Khatib & Alami is an international multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy with a strong regional footprint.
Regional Market Knowledge
Khatib & Alami’s long-standing presence in the Middle East provides solid familiarity with regional regulations, construction practices, and authority approval processes. The firm supports LEED certification as part of its wider environmental and engineering consultancy services.
Multidisciplinary Delivery
LEED consultancy is typically integrated with broader engineering scopes, allowing coordination between sustainability goals and technical design requirements.
5. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering, architecture, and consultancy company operating globally across buildings, infrastructure, transport, and environmental services.
Sustainability-Focused Engineering
Ramboll places strong emphasis on sustainability-driven design and environmental performance. Its LEED consultancy services are often embedded within wider building and infrastructure engineering projects.
International Standards Alignment
With experience across multiple international markets, Ramboll supports LEED projects that require alignment with global sustainability benchmarks and reporting frameworks.
6. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin Group, is a Canadian-based engineering and construction consultancy delivering large-scale infrastructure, energy, and building projects worldwide.
Large and Complex Project Capability
The firm is well-suited to major developments where LEED certification is one component of a broader program management or engineering scope. In Abu Dhabi, AtkinsRéalis frequently supports government-led and infrastructure-related projects.
Integrated Project Delivery
LEED consultancy is typically delivered alongside design, engineering, and project management services, offering a consolidated delivery model for large clients.
7. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a UK-headquartered, employee-owned engineering, management, and development consultancy founded in 1902.
Strong Technical Depth
The firm provides LEED consultancy within a broader framework of engineering and sustainability services. Its technical expertise supports projects requiring detailed performance analysis and long-term operational considerations.
Global and Regional Experience
Mott MacDonald’s international project portfolio and regional presence enable the firm to apply global sustainability practices to Abu Dhabi developments.
Summary
This article outlined leading LEED consultancy firms supporting projects in Abu Dhabi, ranging from specialized sustainability consultancies to large multidisciplinary engineering firms. ERKE Consultancy represents firms with a strong focus on dedicated LEED expertise, extensive international certification experience, and in-house sustainability specialists, while companies such as Arup, WSP, Ramboll, and AtkinsRéalis integrate LEED services within broader engineering and project delivery frameworks. These consultancies serve different project profiles, including large infrastructure developments, complex commercial buildings, and public-sector facilities. Selection typically depends on factors such as project scale, certification complexity, internal sustainability goals, and required level of integrated engineering support. Ultimately, the appropriate consultancy choice depends on specific project requirements, team structure, timelines, and available budget.
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