DCT Abu Dhabi Collaborates With Ne'ma To Combat Food Waste In Tourism And Hospitality Sectors

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has partnered with ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, to encourage responsible consumption in tourism and hospitality. This collaboration aims to significantly reduce food waste, aligning with the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which targets a 50% reduction in food loss and waste by 2030.

Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasised the importance of sustainable development as Abu Dhabi grows as a global destination. He stated, "As Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a leading global destination, it is essential that we advance our commitment to sustainable development, establishing our emirate as a responsible hub for tourism and events. The partnership with ne'ma sets out a roadmap for meaningful action to reduce food loss and waste while creating awareness among travellers and stakeholders about responsible consumption."

DCT Abu Dhabi will promote sustainable practices among restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses. These include portion control, menu optimisation, and innovative use of surplus food. Additionally, educational campaigns will be developed to inform tourists and residents about the environmental impact of food waste and the significance of responsible consumption.

Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the ne’ma National Steering Committee, highlighted the MoU's role in promoting sustainability within UAE’s hospitality sector. She said, "The MoU with DCT Abu Dhabi marks an important step toward promoting sustainable practices within the UAE’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Through this collaboration, ne’ma will work with hotels, restaurants and tourism establishments to adopt key food waste reduction initiatives such as portion control, menu optimisation, and the innovative use of surplus food. ne’ma will also spearhead educational campaigns that engage both residents and tourists, emphasising the environmental impact of food waste and the importance of mindful, responsible consumption."

DCT Abu Dhabi plans to redistribute surplus food through partnerships with charities or for composting. They aim to gather data on food waste trends within tourism to identify areas needing improvement. Broader sustainability efforts include reducing single-use plastics, supporting local producers, and cutting transportation emissions.

The partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi and ne’ma was evident at their first Retrofit Summit. Efforts were made to cut carbon emissions by reducing food waste during the event. This initiative successfully diverted 89 kgs of food waste from landfills while producing 17.8 kgs of compost for local farmers.

The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) also worked with ne’ma during the ICCA Congress. They implemented elements from ne’ma’s Zero Food to Landfill framework to ensure sustainable operations at the event. This collaboration helped raise awareness among delegates about reducing food waste.

This agreement between DCT Abu Dhabi and ne’ma represents a significant move towards sustainability in tourism. By implementing these strategies across various sectors, they aim to create lasting change in how resources are consumed responsibly.

With inputs from WAM