Private-sector-led climate action dialogue underscored decarbonization, innovation, and renewable energy policy efforts required to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, setting the stage for UAE’s hosting of COP28.
Dubai, UAE– On the sidelines of this year’s crucial United Nations Convention Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP28), Unilever, a global leader in consumer goods, with leading brands such as Dove, Sunsilk, Clear, Omo, Lifebuoy, Magnum, Knorr and many others today hosted a timely dialogue on climate action under the theme “Catalyzing Collaborative Climate Action to Achieve Net Zero” at Unilever’s World Economic Forum-certified 4IR Dubai Personal Care factory located within Dubai Industrial City, part of TECOM Group PJSC.
Key thought leaders from vital climate sectors, including government, industry, academia, and non-profits convened to exchange knowledge and strategies on ways to dramatically decarbonize supply and value chains to slash global emissions to achieve Net Zero by 2050, achieve the goals of Paris Agreement, and keep 1.5C within reach.
The event opened with a keynote speech by H.E. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). H.E. Omar stated: “The commitment to achieving net zero is not just a mandate for the future but an urgent imperative for the present. At MoIAT, one of our key objectives is to drive sustainable industrial development through innovation and digitalization. We are committed to steering industrial transformation and shaping policies that contribute to a more diverse, resilient, low-carbon economy. It is a journey that will be fueled by transformative technologies, underpinned by sustainable best practices and robust standards.”
H.E. Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary of Industry Accelerators Sector, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology (MoIAT) also graced the occasion.
The opening remarks were delivered by Mohamed Sharaf, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Investment Attraction at Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), a subsidiary of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
The fireside chat that followed, featured HE Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) moderated by Tanzeed Alam of Earth Matters Consulting, and focused on the UAE’s strategic approach to tripling its renewable energy capacity and its net-zero by 2050 ambitions.
Speaking during the fireside chat, HE Dr Nawal Al-Hosany said that: “Embracing renewable energy is crucial for building a sustainable future. In line with this, the UAE has set ambitious environmental goals, aiming to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 70%, enhance energy efficiency by 40%, and source 44% of its energy from renewables by 2050. It’s our collective journey towards an eco-conscious world, where every step counts. The decisions and actions we commit to today will determine the legacy we pass on to future generations.”
Following the opening exchanges, a panel discussion, moderated by Priya Sarma, Head of Sustainability at Unilever, Middle East and Corporate Affairs B&W and HC Categories ME & Turkey, explored the plans and policies needed to catalyze collective climate action. The panel featured Jamila Elmir, Senior Advisor, UN High-Level Climate Champions Team, Dominic Waughay, Executive VP and Leadership Team World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and Marina Antonopoulou, Senior Director, Emirates Nature WWF.
Adding to the discussion Dominic urged businesses to adopt comprehensive sustainability strategies that encompass their entire value chain and stressed digital transformation to drive efficiencies. Jamila El Mir shed light on the business implications of the post-COP agenda and provided insights into the imperative for companies to stay competitive in a changing climate-conscious world. Marina emphasized the vital role of the private sector in nature conservation, highlighting how these efforts not only align with sustainability goals but also foster long-term business resilience.
On behalf of Dubai Industrial City, Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at TECOM Group, delivered closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of innovative technologies and sustainable practices in the industrial sector. Abu Alshawareb said: “As the world comes together at COP28 in Dubai to enable positive climate action, the manufacturing sector must continue pursuing a transformation aligned with a net-zero future. With an ecosystem comprising more than 800 local, regional, and international leaders, Dubai Industrial City is supporting this transition by encouraging cross-sector partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving. We remain committed to working with partners like Unilever to ensure the manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in shaping a resilient and sustainable world.”
Concluding the event, Ahmed Kadous, Head of Supply Chain PC ME and Turkey highlighted Unilever’s regional Sustainability agenda and their achievements, particularly in forging successful partnerships across their value chain to champion climate action.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Kadous, said: “At Unilever, we have committed to reducing emissions from our operations by 100% by 2030 (against a 2015 baseline), achieving net zero emissions across our value chain by 2039, reinforcing our dedication to a future defined by net-zero emissions. Our Dubai Personal Care factory, recognized by the World Economic Forum as the first ‘Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse’ in the UAE and the broader MENA region, serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to harnessing technology to not only drive operational efficiency but also secure a more sustainable footprint. In 2023 therefore we are taking the lead in driving logistics and warehousing transformation aligned to our decarbonization processes with the rigorous standards of Scope 3 emissions.”
The evening ended with a guided tour of Unilever’s flagship DPC factory located at Dubai Industrial City.
Since 2014, Unilever’s Dubai Personal Care factory has been a beacon of sustainability, consistently striving to minimize its environmental impact. The factory has achieved a remarkable zero-waste-to-landfill status, with 82% of GCC packaging now recyclable. Additionally, since 2019, the factory has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint, achieving an impressive 90% reduction in CO2 emissions and a noteworthy 34% decrease in energy consumption. In a bold commitment to renewable energy, the factory actively sources 100% renewable electricity, with 20% derived from its on-site 1MW solar park and the remaining 80% obtained from renewable electrical energy certified through the purchase of IRECs. These commendable efforts have been duly recognized through prestigious awards, including the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification and the Dubai Green Industrial Award.
The factory’s dedication to sustainability aligns with Unilever’s global ambition to reduce its logistics carbon emissions. As the UAE hosts COP28, this event at Unilever’s Dubai Personal Care factory stands as a testament to the company’s dedication to fostering critical dialogue on collaborative climate action and shaping a sustainable, net-zero future.
About the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology:
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) was established in July 2020 to boost the industrial sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP and drive sustainable industrial development. The ministry was formed by combining the Office of the Minister of State for Advanced Technology, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), and the industrial department of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
MoIAT is responsible for formulating policies, laws, and programs that attract foreign direct investment, enhance national added value, support entrepreneurship, create jobs, attract talents, upskill national cadres, promote exports and raise the competitiveness of products manufactured in the UAE. To achieve these objectives, MoIAT has created an advanced national quality infrastructure system.
MoIAT leverages its expertise, capabilities, and resources to strengthen the national industrial ecosystem by facilitating the establishment of industrial zones, promoting the adoption of advanced technologies and the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions and enabling the growth of priority sectors as well as industries of the future. The ministry’s work contributes to national efforts to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy and achieve industrial self-sufficiency.
The ministry is a key driver of the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and is playing an important role in the country’s COP28 agenda.
ABOUT UNILEVER:
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of €60.1 billion in 2022.
Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose-led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business.
The Unilever Compass, our global sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth while aiming to:
– improve the health of the planet;
– improve people’s health, confidence and wellbeing;
– and contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.
Our sustainability efforts have yielded impressive results, including a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions through a 1MW solar park on-site, covering 20% of the site’s energy requirement remaining 80% is green electrical energy certified through the purchase of IRECs. Through absolute energy efficiency improvements, we’ve achieved 34% of energy consumption reduction. Our 700KW solar thermal plant, one of the biggest in the region, produces hot water up to 90C and covers up to 20% of the site’s thermal energy requirements. Moreover, in five years, we’ve reduced water consumption by 28% with 100% of the factory effluence treated, recycled and used in cooling towers and irrigation facilities. This commitment is further reflected in the company’s unwavering pursuit of a circular economy, evidenced by 100% of its water effluence treated, recycled and used in cooling towers and irrigation facilities. The factory additionally sends zero non-hazardous waste to landfill. It has also committed itself to the use of sustainable ingredients and the implementation of recyclable, reusable, and compostable packaging solutions.
