The UAE’s national initiative to tackle food waste, ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, has launched the country’s first-ever National Baseline Study to measure actual food loss and waste across the entire food value chain. The 18-month research project, involving 3,000 participants, marks a critical step in the UAE’s efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3.
The study, which kicked off after months of stakeholder engagement and planning since September 2024, is now officially underway. It aims to capture data from households, businesses, and government institutions across all seven Emirates, with the findings set to be revealed in the first half of 2026.
This comprehensive research effort will provide the foundation for establishing national indices on food loss and waste and inform targeted intervention strategies. The data will help shape policies and programs designed to reduce food waste and support long-term food security and sustainability.
The study represents a collaborative national endeavor involving key partners such as the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), and Aldar. Additional support is being provided by local municipalities, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), and local statistics centers throughout the UAE.
A major milestone is scheduled for September 2025, when a two-week field survey will be conducted to gather first-hand data on food waste, particularly at the household level, reports WAM. This phase of the study will involve participants from every Emirate, collecting crucial insights on where and why food waste occurs.
Once compiled, the data will be systematically analyzed to form a baseline from which national progress can be measured. This information will be instrumental in designing evidence-based solutions tailored to reduce food waste effectively across different sectors.
Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma Committee, emphasized the need for collaboration:
“Tackling food loss and waste requires national collaboration, and alignment to create a unified approach and methodology for measuring actual food waste across the supply chain. Through the UAE’s first National Baseline Study, ne’ma is engaging public, private sector, and community members in building an accurate, data-driven picture of where and how food is lost or wasted. This will enable the UAE to track progress against reduction targets.”
She added:
“The evidence-based solutions will empower households and businesses to adopt best practices, support systemic solutions across the value chain, and drive the shift toward a more sustainable, circular economy. The Baseline Study supports the UAE in building capacity so that we can achieve the target of halving food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. We are thrilled to see the strong engagement and participation of the private and public sectors in the study.”
Dr. Essam Sharaf Al Hashmi, Director of the Office of Special Studies at ADAFSA, highlighted the significance of the study in raising public awareness:
“In line with its pivotal role in promoting food sustainability, ADAFSA is leading dedicated efforts to highlight the challenges of food loss and waste. In collaboration with ne’ma, we are uniting households, the private sector, and government entities to achieve a shared goal—protecting vital resources and ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future for all. This initiative reflects our strong commitment to raising awareness and engaging all stakeholders in addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by food loss and waste.”
Manal Obaid Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team at the UAE Food Bank, representing Dubai Municipality, reiterated the importance of local leadership:
“Local leadership is essential to achieving national sustainability goals. Dubai Municipality is committed to driving change at the community level, and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study provides the knowledge and tools needed to turn ambition into measurable action across all seven Emirates. This effort aligns with the municipality’s efforts to enhance waste management, reduce landfill use, and build smarter, more sustainable cities that support the UAE’s 2030 goals.”
Abdulwahid Jumaa Freish, Executive Director of Communication and Awareness at Tadweer Group, praised the initiative’s unifying impact:
“Tadweer Group is proud to support ne’ma and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, which unites stakeholders across the food value chain to better understand the scale and impact of food loss and waste. This pioneering initiative complements our commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources and driving circular economy solutions. By leveraging the insights from this study, we can strengthen our strategies to divert organic waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and unlock new opportunities for reuse, recovery, and resource efficiency across the nation.”
Salwa Al Maflahi, Group Executive Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach at Aldar Properties, stressed the importance of data in driving change:
“Aldar recognises the importance of data to support meaningful action and change. Since 2023, we have been working closely with Tadweer and ne’ma to build infrastructure and solutions to tackle all forms of waste, including food waste, with a shared ambition to divert 90 percent of waste from landfills. Food waste is a complex challenge that requires long-term behavioural change, something Aldar and ne’ma are committed to addressing. By contributing to the UAE’s Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, we are helping to generate critical insights that will empower communities across the UAE to take data-informed action and support the country in reaching its 2030 food loss and waste reduction targets.”
Upon completion, the final report will be shared both nationally and internationally, contributing to the global movement toward food loss and waste reduction. The initiative positions the UAE as a regional leader in advancing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting sustainable food systems at home and around the world.
