A Climate-Conscious Future Navigating Sustainable Practices in Tourism, Hospitality, and Events

The 7th Edition of the Climate Talk Series, hosted by the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai united professionals from tourism, hospitality and events industries. This pivotal event featured keynote addresses and expert discussions, focusing on sustainable practices in tourism, hospitality, and events. The presence of notable figures, such as HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, added to the event’s significance, highlighting Dubai’s commitment to climate-conscious innovation.

Opening the event, Dr. Jacinta Dsilva showcased the SEE Institute’s sustainable design, featuring low-carbon materials and energy-efficient PV panels generating 300% of the building’s energy needs. Mr. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar of DWTC highlighted Dubai’s alignment with the UN SDGs, citing initiatives such as solar panels, organizational recycling, and food donations, thus positioning DWTC as a leader in sustainable events. His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi emphasized integrating cultural preservation into sustainable tourism, advocating for community-driven experiences that ensure long-term benefits.

Some valuable insights were discussed by Taleed Al Khatib such as the Carbon Calculator and 19 Sustainability Requirements for hotels, promoting data-driven approaches to reduce carbon footprints. The Climate Talk Series also featured a masterclass on Blue Economy and its impact by Eng. Ahmed Nabil who introduced regenerative tourism strategies, encouraging coral nurseries and eco-lodging for marine conservation. Further, Ras Al Khaimah’s Responsible Tourism program was presented by Zoe Zuo and Mercy Kiprotich, highlighting sustainability certifications and carbon offset initiatives. Derar Almanaseer, of the ADNEC group, spoke about how large-scale organizations require mandates across policies and how integrating CSR into the structure of the organization has made it a core value. He gave examples of sustainability initiatives such as Terratiles made from exhibition stand waste, as well as WasteMaster to manage food waste at airports.

Mr. Guy Bigwood joined the event online to discuss sustainability as the ‘center stage’ of an event, citing Coldplay’s concert tours as an excellent example. A Fireside Chat with Nouran Mahmoud, the Tourism Policy Lead at the DCT, Abu Dhabi, discussed actionable tourism frameworks and the need for robust guidelines to support small businesses. The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Nadine Zidani, featuring Dr. Mohamed Irfan Shaikh, Nouran Mahmoud, Sheena Khan, and Ali Abdulqader, who explored industry-specific initiatives for a sustainable future. The seventh edition of Climate Talk Series reinforced collaboration, innovation, and community engagement as essential to advancing sustainability in tourism, hospitality and events industry.