Ronnie Middleton
Al Hilal Group, a leading media, publishing, and technology enterprise in the GCC, has announced the rollout of its comprehensive Group Sustainability Policy, marking a major step toward embedding environmental and social responsibility into its core operations.
The policy, which applies across all subsidiaries and divisions in the region, reflects Al Hilal’s commitment to long-term business resilience through reduced environmental impact, ethical governance, and inclusive workplace practices.
At the heart of this initiative is the Group’s “R3” philosophy — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — which will guide operational decisions and employee engagement across its regional footprint.
"Sustainability is not just a trend, it’s a strategic imperative," said Ronnie Middleton, Managing Director of Al Hilal Group.
"It builds trust, drives cost efficiencies, ensures regulatory readiness, and positions us as a forward-looking organisation," he stated.
TACKLING CARBON FOOTPRINT ACROSS GCC OPERATIONS
As part of its sustainability roadmap, Al Hilal Group has initiated a baseline carbon footprint assessment across its media, publishing, and technology divisions.
Early estimates suggest that energy use and material consumption - particularly in printing and IT infrastructure - are key contributors to the group’s environmental impact.
The group aims to reduce its carbon footprint through:
- Energy-saving practices in offices and production facilities.
- Digitisation of workflows to reduce paper and packaging waste.
- Eco-friendly procurement and vendor screening.
- Waste minimisation including electronic and paper waste across departments.
These efforts align with global ESG frameworks such as GRI 302: Energy and support the UN’s SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
GROUP CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
To lead this transformation, Al Hilal Group has appointed Deepak Magar as the Group Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).
With deep expertise in carbon workflow automation, ESG data integration, and sustainability communication, Magar plays a pivotal role in embedding sustainability into the group’s culture and operations.
His mandate includes:
- Overseeing the Sustainability Taskforce and policy implementation.
- Leading carbon and wellbeing assessments across divisions.
- Aligning operations with GRI and SDG frameworks.
- Publishing the Group’s first ESG performance report.
"This isn’t just a policy, it’s a mindset shift," said Magar.
"We’re building systems that make sustainability measurable, actionable, and scalable. It’s about empowering every team member - from editorial to IT - to make choices that benefit both the business and the planet," he added.
With three years structured roadmap the group has clearly defined the journey for sustainable business organisation.
SUSTAINABILITY AS A SERVICE
The IT arm of the group ‘Hilal Technology’ offers end to end sustainablity solutions for all businesses verticals. These include:
- Track and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Automate ESG reporting and compliance workflows.
- Integrate sustainable procurement and operations.
- Educate teams through interactive sustainability dashboards.
Al Hilal Group is a diversified business operating across media, publishing, and technology sectors in the GCC. With a legacy of innovation and integrity, the group is committed to shaping a sustainable future for its stakeholders and communities. — OGN / TradeArabia News Service