Sustainability initiatives for Congress

The Venue

We are proud to host the IUCN Congress 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), a venue recognised for its leadership in sustainable event management and innovation within the MICE industry.

Our decision to partner with ADNEC is grounded in a shared commitment to sustainability. ADNEC’s operations are aligned with international best practices, including the ISO 20121:2012 certificate for sustainable event management. This aligns with the IUCN Congress 2025’s own ambition to achieve ISO 20121:2024 certification, embedding sustainability into every stage of the event lifecycle. 

Demonstrating a tangible, ongoing effort to host more environmentally responsible events, ADNEC has implemented a range of measures to reduce its footprint:

• energy-efficient LED lighting
• advanced recycling systems
• biodegradable packaging 

ADNEC, is proudly powered by clean energy from EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company). As the first and largest event venue in the region to transition to clean power, the venue sources electricity from zero-carbon nuclear, solar, and wind energy under Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificate (CEC) Scheme. Certified through the International REC Standard (I-REC) and endorsed by the Department of Energy, these certificates verify that the energy used during the Congress comes from sustainable sources. This partnership aligns with ADNEC Group’s net zero goal by 2045 and supports the venue’s commitment to halving its absolute emissions by 2030.

Our collaboration with ADNEC not only helps IUCN meet the environmental ambitions of the Congress but also strengthens the local business events ecosystem through meaningful engagement with UAE-based suppliers. For more information on ADNEC’s sustainability initiatives, visit here.

 The Carpet

We're proud to have sourced Rewind Carpet as the sustainable flooring provider for the IUCN Congress 2025, aligning with our commitment to delivering an event that leads by example in environmental responsibility.

Rewind's innovative approach transforms event flooring from a disposable product into a circular solution. Their 100% recyclable, latex-free carpets are designed to minimise environmental impact at every stage - eliminating single-use plastics and PVC while using zero water in production. This sustainable design directly supports the Congress's goals of measuring and reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring 60% of event waste is recycled.

As a Cradle to Cradle Silver certified product, Rewind demonstrates how sustainable innovation can deliver both performance and planet-positive outcomes. Their achievements speak volumes - having already saved 1.9 million litres of water and reduced 2,256 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through their circular approach.

Rewind Carpet used at the Congress will be collected post-event and recycled into new materials at a dedicated facility in Dubai, supporting our waste reduction targets and closing the loop on event materials. 

 The Food

Food plays a vital role in shaping a sustainable and inclusive experience at the IUCN Congress 2025. Reflecting the unique environment of the UAE and our shared responsibility to protect nature, the catering approach is designed to minimise environmental impact while offering a high-quality, diverse, and enjoyable experience.

Working with our catering partner, Capital Catering, we are committed to providing balanced menus that accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and cultural preferences. Striving for 70% of the food served will be vegetarian or vegan, supporting healthier lifestyles and lower-impact choices, while still offering a wide spectrum of options.

As part of our broader sustainability strategy, we are partnering with ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, to reduce surplus and ensure any surplus food is donated where possible. In addition, our collaboration with Reloop helps ensure that unavoidable food waste is collected, diverted from landfills, and transformed into compost.

Together, these efforts aim to deliver a thoughtful, climate-conscious culinary experience, while supporting a circular food system and encouraging participants to continue embracing sustainable food practices during their time in the UAE. 

 ne’ma 

ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, supports a more sustainable and socially responsible future. Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ne’ma aims to halve food loss and waste by 2030. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to practical, measurable action - turning intent into impact.

To ensure surplus food is put to good use, we are working with the Red Crescent Emirates to collect and redistribute meals to communities in need, helping to advance food security while reducing environmental impact. At the same time, we will be monitoring food waste as a key performance indicator throughout the Congress, reinforcing our transparency and accountability.

 The Water

At the IUCN Congress 2025, we are committed to supporting the responsible use of water, especially in light of the arid climate of the UAE and the increasing global urgency to conserve this vital resource. Throughout the event venue, participants will find clearly marked water refill stations to ensure easy access to clean drinking water.

We are also proud to feature innovative air-to-water technology. This system extracts humidity from the air, purifies it through a heat-exchange and filtration process, and stores it safely for consumption.

This practical solution demonstrates how technology and thoughtful partnerships can support our sustainability goals in meaningful ways. Join us in making simple yet impactful choices to conserve water and reduce waste during your time at the Congress.