DCT Abu Dhabi partners with Ne’ma to combat food waste in tourism, hospitality

UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has partnered with the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative (Ne’ma) to promote responsible consumption in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

An agreement has been signed by Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, and Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the ne’ma National Steering Committee.

This partnership centers on the UAE’s national food loss and waste initiative, a key aspect of the country’s efforts to ensure food security and combat climate change.

The collaboration aims to drive significant change within the travel and hospitality sectors, supporting the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which targets a 50% reduction in food loss and waste in the UAE by 2030.

Al Geziry stated that as Abu Dhabi evolves into a leading global destination, it is crucial to advance its commitment to sustainable development, positioning the emirate as a responsible hub for tourism and events.

He emphasized that the partnership with ne’ma outlines a clear plan for reducing food waste and fostering awareness among tourists and stakeholders about responsible consumption.

Under the agreement, DCT Abu Dhabi will encourage local restaurants, hotels, and tourism establishments to implement sustainable practices, such as portion control, menu optimization, and the creative use of surplus food.

Additionally, it will launch educational campaigns aimed at both residents and tourists, highlighting the environmental impact of food waste and the importance of mindful consumption.

Al Nuwais remarked that the MoU with DCT Abu Dhabi represents a significant step toward fostering sustainability within the UAE’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

The collaboration will see ne’ma working with various establishments to implement key initiatives such as portion control, menu optimization, and innovative food surplus solutions.

The organization will also lead educational campaigns to raise awareness about food waste and encourage responsible consumption among the public.

DCT Abu Dhabi will also facilitate the redistribution of surplus food to charitable organizations or for composting in partnership with stakeholders.

It will collect data on food waste within the tourism sector to identify trends and inform future strategies, while also promoting broader sustainability initiatives like reducing single-use plastics, supporting local food producers, and minimizing transportation-related emissions.

The partnership also led to the successful diversion of 89 kg of food waste from the inaugural Retrofit Summit, with 17.8 kg of compost generated to support local farming efforts.

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