According to the State of Food Waste report in West Asia during Ramadan, 30–50% of food prepared in Saudi Arabia goes to waste, alongside 25% in Qatar and 40% in the United Arab Emirates, revealing an urgent call to action to tackle food waste in the region.
We are pleased to announce that UNEP West Asia, with the support of GO4SDGs, is launching the second edition of its Sustainable Ramadan campaign, involving 32 Hilton hotels across the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, and Malaysia. Building on the success of last year’s campaign, which achieved a 61% reduction in food waste across three Hilton hotels in Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, this year’s campaign aims to amplify its reach and impact.
The Sustainable Ramadan campaign is under the Recipe of Change initiative which aims to empower food industry stakeholders with practical strategies to combat food waste. This includes measures such as food waste measurement, tracking consumption patterns, and implementing behavioral nudges that encourage sustainable consumption practices.
This year, the campaign is focusing on increasing stakeholder participation, raising consumer awareness about food waste, and emphasizing the environmental, food security, and climate change implications of food waste in a region heavily dependent on imported food.
Chef Leyla Fathallah, UNEP’s food waste advocate in West Asia will be featured in the campaign, leveraging her platform and reach to educate the public on practical steps that can be taken to reduce food waste during Ramadan as well as sharing zero waste recipes.
With the theme "Half the Food Waste, Double the Blessings," the 2024 Sustainable Ramadan campaign places a strong emphasis on consumer education to promote mindful consumption habits.
By engaging stakeholders, raising awareness, and showcasing practical solutions, the Sustainable Ramadan campaign strives to make a significant impact in reducing food waste and promoting sustainable lifestyles during the holy month.
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For enquiries and more information on the Sustainable Ramadan campaign, contact: [email protected]