The urgency of advancing sustainability has never been more evident. Recent scholarly work, global policy developments and unfolding societal challenges collectively underscore the need for transformative action across economic, social and environmental systems. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report (2021) provides unequivocal evidence that climate change is accelerating faster than previously anticipated, calling for immediate and coordinated mitigation and adaptation efforts. Parallel to this, research on responsible management education emphasizes the critical role of business schools and organizations in shaping future leaders capable of embedding sustainability principles into decision-making and practice (Moon and Orlitzky, 2011).Recent global and regional events further reinforce the relevance of this agenda. International climate forums such as COP30 have intensified dialog around climate finance, energy transition and private-sector accountability. At the same time, regional crises – including the 2024 Gulf floods – have exposed structural vulnerabilities in infrastructure, governance and risk preparedness across parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). These developments highlight both progress and persistent gaps in translating sustainability commitments into tangible outcomes.The societal implications of climate change are equally profound. Climate-related risks pose significant threats to economic stability and long-term growth, particularly in emerging and developing economies (World Bank, 2021). Moreover, climate change exacerbates existing social inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable and marginalized communities (Martinez-Alier, 2002). Addressing these interconnected challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges academia, policy and practice.Against this backdrop, this Special Issue of Management El-Bassiouny et al., 2022), the issue provides a platform for innovative, context-sensitive and impact-oriented studies that contribute to sustainable development at organizational, sectoral and societal levels.The Special Issue addresses a wide range of interconnected themes, including sustainable business models (Daou et al., 2020, 2024), organizational practices (Talbot et al., 2021), renewable energy transitions, carbon emissions measurement and reporting, green finance, entrepreneurship and climate governance. A distinctive feature of this issue is its close alignment with the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS), which is a regional alliance led by the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University that brings together leading AACSB-accredited business schools across the MENA. Through its network of deans, faculty and partner institutions, MEBAS advances sustainability education, research and student engagement while fostering environmental stewardship, faculty capacity building and cross-institutional collaboration that bridges academia, industry, policymakers and civil society. By engaging directly with the priorities and initiatives of MEBAS (https://mebas.earth/en), this Special Issue contributes to the alliance's mission of promoting environmental stewardship, capacity building and collaborative action among business schools and stakeholders.The contributions align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The originality of this Special Issue lies in its holistic and interdisciplinary approach, integrating perspectives from academics, practitioners, policymakers and institutions. In line with calls for purposeful research with tangible societal impact (Elbanna and Child, 2023; Grandori and Morley, 2022), the issue critically examines barriers to sustainability while encouraging evidence-based pathways for overcoming them.The 13 articles accepted in this Special Issue collectively advance sustainability scholarship through a rich mix of empirical, conceptual and methodological contributions. To enhance coherence and editorial clarity, the papers are organized into four interrelated thematic clusters, each addressing key sustainability challenges relevant to the MENA region and closely aligned with the United Nations SDGs.The first theme focuses on sustainable consumption and the role of branding, communication and consumer behavior in driving sustainability transitions. Soltani and Ben Lazreg (2026) examine green purchase intentions in the Tunisian context, providing empirical evidence that highlights the critical roles of trust and social influence in shaping sustainable consumption decisions. Complementing this consumer-centered perspective, Jain et al. (2026) offer a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic analysis that maps the evolution, intellectual structure and research gaps within the green advertising literature, thereby advancing understanding of how sustainability messages are communicated to consumers. Extending this stream conceptually, Ismail (2026) proposes a Digital–Sustainable Brand Love Model, demonstrating how digital innovation and sustainability practices jointly foster emotional brand attachment in physical retail environments. Collectively, these studies contribute to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by emphasizing credible communication, ethical branding and active consumer engagement as key drivers of sustainable market behavior.The second theme addresses sustainability at the organizational and operational levels, highlighting how firms embed environmental responsibility within internal systems, processes and human capital. At the operational core, Abbas et al. (2026) investigate the relationships between green manufacturing practices, lean culture and organizational environmental performance in Omani manufacturing organizations. Using survey data analyzed through structural equation modeling, their study provides context-specific evidence from an emerging economy, demonstrating how firms can enhance environmental performance by integrating sustainability into production systems and organizational culture.Extending the operational focus to sectoral strategy, Opoku (2026) explores how firms in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector in the UAE align their business strategies with the SDGs. Through a mixed-method approach, the study offers a practical framework illustrating how sustainability can be operationalized and embedded within core strategic and project-level decision-making.From a digital transformation and resilience perspective, Gouiferda and Iddik (2026) examine how digitalization and environmental sustainability jointly influence the resilience of Moroccan companies. The findings underscore that digital supply chains strengthen organizational resilience, particularly when complemented by sustainability practices, highlighting the strategic value of aligning digital transformation with environmental objectives.Finally, focusing on human capital as a driver of sustainability, Dey (2026) analyzes the role of green human resource management practices in Saudi Arabian enterprises. The study demonstrates that green HRM enhances organizational environmental performance both directly and indirectly by shaping employees' intentions to adopt renewable resources, emphasizing the importance of embedding sustainability within HR systems to translate organizational policies into tangible outcomes.Taken together, these contributions advance understanding of how sustainability can be institutionalized across organizational operations, sectoral strategies, digital infrastructures and human capital systems. This theme contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 by offering actionable insights for embedding sustainability across firms and industries in the MENA region.The third theme examines sustainability from macro and organizational perspectives, with a particular emphasis on financial systems, energy transition and climate readiness. At the institutional governance level, Kaur and Rani (2026) investigate the determinants of carbon neutrality pledges among central banks in the MENA region using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach. The findings reveal that carbon neutrality commitments emerge through multiple configurational pathways, with political and institutional conditions playing a central role, thereby highlighting financial authorities as key actors in climate governance.Complementing this institutional perspective, Ramadan (2026) explores how green investment and policy innovation shape sustainable energy transitions in Egypt and Jordan. The study demonstrates how differing national financial architectures influence renewable energy deployment, underscoring the importance of aligning green finance mechanisms with country-specific institutional and economic contexts.Extending the analysis through advanced methodological approaches, Ul Mustafa et al. (2026) examine the impact of renewable energy investment on climate readiness across 14 MENA countries over the period 2002–2020. By combining machine learning techniques with traditional econometric models, the study provides robust evidence of a positive relationship between renewable energy investment and climate readiness. The findings offer timely, data-driven insights for policymakers in a region undergoing economic diversification away from fossil fuels.Collectively, these studies provide strong empirical and institutional evidence that renewable energy investment, green finance and financial governance are critical enablers of climate resilience. Accordingly, this theme contributes directly to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13, while reinforcing the role of financial and policy innovation in advancing sustainable development pathways across the MENA region.The fourth theme conceptualizes sustainability as a systemic and multi-level transformation driven by entrepreneurship, innovation and enabling institutional frameworks. At the entrepreneurial and crisis-response level, Daou and Abdallah (2026) examine sustainable entrepreneurship in times of crisis through a multi-level analytical framework. Drawing on qualitative evidence from the MENA region, their study identifies situational, action-formation and transformational mechanisms operating across individual, organizational and institutional contexts, demonstrating how entrepreneurs can generate sustainability-oriented solutions under conditions of uncertainty and disruption.Complementing this perspective, Alsafran et al. (2026) investigate the role of gamification, digital transformation and open innovation within business ecosystems. Their empirical findings show that gamification indirectly enhances corporate sustainability by strengthening digital capabilities and fostering open innovation, thereby enabling collaborative ecosystems that support sustainability-oriented value creation.At the institutional and accounting level, Hattab and Mardini (2026) propose a MENA-specific environmental sustainability accounting framework designed to address the region's unique environmental, regulatory and policy contexts. Through a conceptual and qualitative approach supported by case-based discussion, the study introduces an adaptive framework that enables organizations to more effectively measure, report and manage environmental impacts. By positioning sustainability accounting as a strategic and enabling tool rather than a compliance exercise, this work fills a critical gap in the region's sustainability infrastructure.Taken together, these contributions demonstrate how entrepreneurship, digital innovation and accounting frameworks can collectively drive systemic change and support sustainability transitions across organizational and institutional levels. This theme aligns strongly with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reinforcing the role of innovative governance and entrepreneurial action in advancing long-term sustainable development in the MENA region.Overall, the articles in this Special Issue present a comprehensive picture of sustainability in the MENA region, highlighting both the challenges that remain and the opportunities for meaningful progress. A clear message across the contributions is that advancing sustainability requires a shift in how organizations and policymakers think and act. This involves moving beyond fragmented efforts toward more integrated and long-term approaches. The studies show that sustainability outcomes are strengthened when technological innovation, supportive policy and financial frameworks and organizational culture work together. By bringing together diverse methods and perspectives, this Special Issue deepens understanding of sustainability challenges in the Arab world and offers practical insights to support inclusive, resilient and forward-looking development pathways.We sincerely thank the MSAR Editorial Team for their guidance and support, without which this Special Issue would not have been possible. We also gratefully acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback and the authors for their thoughtful and patient engagement throughout the review process.
Kamel et al. (Tue,) studied this question.