UAE Announces Ambitious Plan to Halve Food Waste by 2030
The United Arab Emirates has revealed an ambitious nationwide plan to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030. Mariam Al Mheiri, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, unveiled the Ne’ma Food Loss and Waste Reduction Roadmap, emphasizing the country’s commitment to eliminating food waste.
The comprehensive strategy aims to change public attitudes towards food loss and implement more sustainable practices across both the public and private sectors. Over 200 interviews were conducted with major industry players, such as the Jumeirah Group, Hilton Group, Rotana Group, and Expo City, all of whom have signed agreements with the Ne’ma initiative to prioritize food loss and waste reduction.
The announcement was made during the fourth National Dialogue on Food Security, under the theme “Call for Change: Reducing Food Loss and Waste in the UAE.” Al Mheiri expressed the UAE’s dedication to addressing climate change and highlighted that food and agriculture systems play a crucial role, with food loss and waste being a top priority.
Khuloud Al Nuwais, who leads Ne’ma, indicated that fines may be imposed on households that generate high levels of food waste. Established in March 2022, Ne’ma aims to coordinate efforts across government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and society to reduce food loss and waste throughout the supply chain.
As the UAE prepares to host Cop28, Al Mheiri emphasized the nation’s strong commitment to addressing the impact of climate change. The importance of addressing food loss and waste is a strategic imperative for the world, Al Mheiri added, citing that one third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally.
At Cop28, the UAE plans to limit food wastage and the carbon impact of the food served, while urging other countries to ratify the Emirates Declaration on Resilient Food Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, and Climate Action. This latest initiative is seen as incredibly important in addressing the impact of food loss on shared goals of food security and sustainable consumption.
Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, stressed the significance of responsible consumption in creating a more sustainable future and called for a collective effort to minimize waste and maximize efficiency in food systems.
The UAE’s commitment to reducing food waste reflects its dedication to environmental sustainability and responsible consumption, positioning the country as a leader in the global fight against food waste.
Updated: November 20, 2023, 8:27 AM
UAE outlines strategy to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030
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