By Pallavi Sangtani

Sustainability and technology are two critical components that are shaping the F&B industry in the UAE. As the demand for environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices increases, the F&B sector is responding by integrating sustainable practices into their operations, including the use of technology to enhance their efforts.

The UAE's F&B sector is vast, with over 15,000 restaurants and food outlets catering to a diverse yet limited population. However, the sector has long been associated with high energy consumption, excessive waste, and unsustainable practices. To address these issues, many businesses are implementing innovative technologies that promote sustainable practices and minimise their environmental impact.

As UAE gears up to play host to COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai to bring the world together in pursuit of bold, practical, and ambitious solutions to the most pressing global challenge of our era; tourism and hospitality will both play a crucial role in creating a sense of urgency for restaurant operators to support national commitments and work on actionable sustainability strategies.

One of the primary ways technology is being leveraged in the F&B industry in the UAE is through the use of smart energy management systems. These systems allow businesses to monitor and control their energy consumption in real-time, providing insights into how energy is being used and where potential energy savings can be made. This also includes the use of solar power, available in abundance in the country. The UAE's F&B sector is also using technology to reduce food waste, which is a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Many businesses are implementing food waste management systems that track and analyze the amount of food waste generated, providing insights into where waste is being produced and how to reduce it.

Technology has also enabled the development of new food production methods that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Dubai's farms have experienced a massive surge in growth in the last decade, leading chefs to promote the city's natural bounty of ingredients in innovative ways. For example, vertical farming, which involves growing crops in stacked layers, uses less water, and can produce more food in a smaller space than traditional farming methods. Some restaurants in the UAE have even started to grow their own produce on-site, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting food from farms to restaurants.

Fish farming has also become popular in Dubai, and a Jebel Ali-based Fish Farm aims to reduce the amount of fish imported into the UAE from 92% to 10% or less, while promoting food security and exporting to the wider Middle East. They use the latest technology to breed fish such as salmon, yellowtail kingfish, and seabass in Dubai.

Additionally, the use of technology has also led to the introduction of sustainable packaging in the UAE's F&B industry. Many businesses are now using eco-friendly packaging materials that are biodegradable or made from recycled materials, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. #IAmNotPlastic straws can now be found across many major restaurants and bars in the country, showcasing a transition towards this change.

As UAE stands on the cusp of a dining transformation, sustainability and technology are increasingly becoming crucial components of the F&B industry in the country.