Emirates Foundation's New Deals Could Change How Dubai Tackles Food Waste

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-10-13

What if the leftovers from your last big event could feed someone instead of filling a landfill? That's the kind of shift the Emirates Foundation is betting on. In Abu Dhabi, they've just signed agreements with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Ethara to push forward ne'ma's food loss and waste reduction efforts. It's not just another press release—it's a real step toward fixing a problem that affects us all. I know, food waste doesn't sound like the sexiest topic. But stick with me, because what's happening in the UAE could offer lessons for cities everywhere, including right here in the US. ### Why This Partnership Matters The core of the deal is simple: share knowledge, develop better policies, and track progress. The EAD partnership focuses on knowledge exchange and policy development to support the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051. That's a long-term plan to make sure the country can feed itself sustainably. Ethara, on the other hand, is all about events—think concerts, conferences, and festivals. They'll be measuring food waste, rescuing surplus food, and making sure food is managed responsibly at big gatherings. Here's the thing: events are notorious for wasting food. You've seen it—trays of untouched sandwiches, half-eaten buffets. Now imagine if all that could be redirected to people who need it. That's what this agreement aims to do. ### How It Works in Practice - **Measurement:** You can't fix what you don't measure. Ethara will track how much food is wasted at events. - **Rescue:** Surplus food that's still safe to eat gets donated to charities or food banks. - **Responsible management:** That means composting what can't be eaten and reducing waste at the source. It's a three-pronged approach that could be replicated in any city. And while the announcement is fresh (October 12, 2026), the groundwork has been laid for a while. ### What This Means for the US Okay, so this is happening in the UAE. Why should you care? Because food waste is a global problem. In the US, we waste about 30-40% of our food supply. That's billions of pounds of food—and billions of dollars—thrown away every year. Cities like New York and San Francisco have started their own programs, but there's always room for more. The Emirates Foundation's model shows how public-private partnerships can work. By bringing together a government agency (EAD) and an events company (Ethara), they're covering both policy and practice. That's smart. > "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." – Robert Swan That quote hits home, doesn't it? Change starts with action, not just good intentions. ### The Bigger Picture This isn't just about food. It's about resource efficiency, climate impact, and social responsibility. When we waste food, we also waste the water, land, and energy that went into producing it. And with food prices rising, rescuing surplus food helps families stretch their budgets. So next time you're at a big event, look around. Maybe you'll see a food rescue station. And maybe, just maybe, you'll think of this little agreement in Abu Dhabi that's quietly making a difference. What do you think? Could something like this work in your city?