Highlighting our sustainable initiatives at COP28

11 Dec 2023

As the exclusive Green Retail Partner of WGEO (World Green Economy Organization) at COP28, our Sustainability team took part in workshops and networked with other leaders and experts from around the world, especially during the Global Sustainability Forum at COP28. 

They discussed the significance of sustainability investments for businesses like ours, and how sustainability is not only great for the environment but also for communities and business. The team explored ways of making small, everyday changes to be more eco-friendly and to reduce our carbon footprint. 

Some of the most interesting sessions for the team were New. Different, and Better | How Emerging Tech in the Climate Era Will Unlock the Products of the Future workshop by IDEO, and the Climate Cooperative Workshop: The CSO Evolution at Bloomberg Green, that focused on how sustainability roles like Seneca’s are evolving and the importance of understanding different areas like technology and finance. 

“What I learned at COP28 and these additional events is incredibly relevant to us. We're not just selling products, we're part of a bigger picture, working towards a better environment. I'm excited to bring these ideas into our work and see how we can make a difference together.” shared Seneca Cottom, Head of Sustainability. 

Alshaya was also the proud retail sponsor of three panel discussions in the Blue Zone that focused on solutions that impact the retail industry. Topics included Green Gold: Recycling Suppliers Transforming Retail Waste into Profit that covered the progress of recycling suppliers towards sustainable practices, followed by retail resilience towards environmental conservation, and shift from single-use carrier bags to reusable options. 

As a token of our appreciation, we also presented certificates to our speakers and moderators of the panel discussion from the ‘Speak Up for Nature’ initiative which enables organisations to engage in conserving spaces across the UAE. 

It’s great to see our team taking part in global events such as these, and we look forward to what’s to come.