GMG committed to making a difference for the planet and people

UAE-based diversified business GMG launched its sustainability report sharing insights on its environmental impact, diversity, equity & inclusion efforts and health and safety policies, among others.

The company’s sustainability strategic framework is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UAE’s Green Agenda-2030, which aims to reduce the country’s emissions to less than 100 kWh by the end of the decade.

GMG’s ESG efforts at a glance:

• Achieved 89% green energy usage in its logistics operations between 2022 and 2023 – avoiding over 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
• Made substantial strides in gender equity, achieving near pay parity at executive and senior levels with a 47:53 female-to-male pay ratio.
• Forged partnerships with 1,143 UAE farms to support local agriculture and, through its Dubai Can partnership, helped save over 294,000 plastic bottles.

Commenting on its ESG commitments, Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG, said, “Guided by our vision, we believe that a robust ESG framework is essential for driving business evolution, mitigating risks and creating a positive and responsible impact on both people and the environment. This inaugural Sustainability Report reflects our commitment to transparency and our ambition to lead by example in corporate sustainability.”

The report provides a detailed overview of the company’s efforts across three key pillars: Planet Forward, Inspire People, and Own Change.

Planet forward

Under the ‘Planet Forward’ pillar, GMG achieved a 13% reduction in fuel usage by its logistics fleet through efficiency route mapping, with 7.5% of its energy mix now coming from clean energy sources. The company also saved over 1 million plastic bottles by installing water filters in its Dubai offices. Additionally, GMG’s logistics operations utilised 89% green energy through rooftop solar installation at its Dubai warehouse.

GMG also demonstrated its contribution to Dubai’s target of recycling 100% of the emirate’s wastewater by 2030. The company successfully treated and repurposed over 685,000 gallons of wastewater, representing 20.8% of its total water consumption. Through awareness and activations, the company also reduced paper usage by over 85,000 papers or 428 kgs. In addition, GMG replaced 35,000 sqm of plastic tape – equivalent to about 83 basketball courts – with paper tape, contributing significantly to its long-term goal of zero-waste-to-landfill.

People centric

In its ‘Inspire People’ pillar, GMG made substantial strides in gender equity, achieving near pay parity at executive and senior levels with a 47:53 female-to-male pay ratio. The company extended maternity leave to 90 days for all female employees and provided health and safety training to over 12,000 employees and contractors.

GMG also organised 86 well-being initiatives for its employees and trained 800 frontline staff through its WoW initiative to enhance customer experience. The company’s workforce now represents over 80 nationalities, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company has conducted over 600 health and safety inspections across its logistics and retail operations, underlining its focus on maintaining safe working environments. GMG is also aligned with ISO 45000 standards and is actively pursuing additional certification to bolster occupational health and safety.

Responsible sourcing

The ‘Own Change’ pillar saw GMG forge partnerships with 1,143 UAE farms to support local agriculture. The company started working on its responsible sourcing policy, forming a task force that included all the private label teams and indirect procurement.

It also ensured that 100% of its private label Basic Collection teams were trained in responsible sourcing and implemented a third-party grievance hotline for employees and suppliers, reinforcing its commitment to ethical business practices. Additionally, the collection line uses High IQ Lasting Color eco and Lasting Black eco, which reduces the environmental footprint by lasting longer and using less water and energy during production.

The company’s commitment to community engagement was exemplified by its participation in the Dubai Fitness Challenge and its partnership with Dubai Can. Over 226,000 participants joined the Dubai Run, while over 294,000 plastic bottles were saved through the Dubai Can partnership.

“This first edition of our Sustainability Report is in reference to the GRI Standards, focusing on identifying and reporting on the most critical aspects that reflect our significant impact on sustainability. It provides a transparent, balanced and detailed overview of our sustainability initiatives and outcomes,” concluded Razan Akrouk, Chief People Officer, GMG.