ADNEC Group, a Modon company, continues to raise the bar for sustainable business and leisure tourism in Abu Dhabi, embedding sustainability across event planning and delivery to reduceits environmental impact. Most recently, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi hostedthe IUCN World Conservation Congress from the 9th to the 15th of October, the first timethe congresswas held in the Middle East. The Congress’ adherence to stringent, world-class sustainability standards, supported by ADNEC Centre’s sustainability-focused facilities and operations, led to the achievement of ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management following an independent third-party audit.
ISO 20121 is an internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable event management, requiring organisers and venues to integrate sustainability into every aspect of planning and operations. ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, already ISO 20121 certified, maintains venue-wide systems that embed environmental responsibility, social equity and cohesion, and operational excellence across all event activities.For the IUCN Congress, ADNEC Group and IUCN partnered with Ne’ma, the UAE’s national food waste initiative, to implement the UAE Zero Food Waste Events Guide. This redistributedrescued surplus food and the composted unavoidable leftover food, ensuring that no food waste wassent to landfills. Food and beverage offerings also prioritised sustainability and inclusivity,catering to a wide range of dietary preferences with healthy,low-impact, vegetarian and vegan choices.
Building on food catering and food waste sustainability efforts, clean energy also played a central role throughout the event and continues to bea cornerstone of sustainable event delivery at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Through a strategic partnership with Emirates Water and Electricity Company, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi is proudly the first and largest event venue in the Middle East fully powered by clean energy, significantly reducing environmental impact for event organisers.
Complementing the venue’s clean energy agreement are various demand management and efficiency technologies that have transformed the venue’s facilities to become best in class, on a global standard. The venue’s advanced AI‑driven Building Management System enhances performance by optimising HVAC and lighting in real time, reducing annual electricity consumption by approximately 20%. Water stewardshipalso plays a key role withinADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi through various initiatives such as thedeployment of water‑saving technology at fixtures and faucets, clearly marked refill stations, and innovative air‑to‑water technology that reduces bottled water use whilstimprovingdelegate access to water facilities.Each Congress delegatereceived areusable water bottle to utilise the air to water dispensers that were located throughout the venue.
With the ISO 20121 certification achieved for both the venue and organiser, the IUCN World Conservation Congress reinforced its commitment sustainability in the events sector and contributedto the UAE’s broadersustainability ambitions.