PwC · Strategy · Hard · 30-40 min

ESG-Linked Refinancing for a UAE Logistics Group

Last updated 2026-07-29

What is this case about?

A family-run UAE logistics group — AED 9B revenue, 14,000 employees, $1.2B of debt maturing in 14 months. The lending syndicate is pushing a sustainability-linked loan with three KPIs: scope 1+2 absolute emissions reduction, female workforce share, and a safety metric. The board does not know which targets are achievable, what they cost, and what happens if they miss. You are advising the CFO on the negotiating position.

Where strong candidates start

• Reframe the question — this is not an ESG project, it is a refinancing negotiation where ESG KPIs are the lever
• Baseline each candidate KPI rigorously — what is current, what is the realistic 3-year trajectory, what is the cost

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