Latest news with #MunaAlNahdi
Tourism Breaking News
24-07-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights celebrates a decade of sustainability excellence
Post Views: 49 Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments has enhanced its sustainable credentials by achieving platinum certification from the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC). The hotel is now one of only three hotels throughout the UAE that has achieved platinum certification and is in the top 5% globally, within the Green Globe programme, which is specifically designed for the travel and tourism industry. During an independent audit and assessment carried out by Green Globe's preferred partner in the Middle East, Dubai-headquartered sustainability consultancy Farnek, the property had complied with or exceeded more than 380 rigorous sustainability indicators. Farnek's dedicated team also supported hotel management with its Hotel Optimizer, a comprehensive and data-driven energy performance monitoring software tool. Through efficient measuring, tracking, monitoring, and benchmarking of energy and water consumption, as well as waste management, the hotel was able to calculate its carbon footprint during 2024 and then make an accurate comparison with its 2014 performance. • Total Energy Consumption reduced by 18.02% • Water Consumption trimmed by 4.1% • Total Utility Costs cut by 12.61% • CO2 emissions from utilities lowered by 6.53 % • CO2 emissions per guest reduced by 30.46% • Total waste generation slashed by 72.48% • Waste rebates increased by 48.08% • Waste diversion rate improved by 178.2% To achieve this outstanding performance, the hotel carried out multiple retrofits, such as chiller optimisation, frequency controls for fresh air handling units, and LED light installation. The hotel also managed to reduce water consumption by fitting 300 tap aerators and diverting its waste from landfills through innovative reduction and recycling initiatives. The hotel also offset 100% of the carbon emissions generated from business travel made by its management team. Levent Tasbas, General Manager at Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights, said: 'We are proud of our sustainability achievements over the past decade and we have now achieved platinum certification, one of only three hotels in the UAE to do so, which demonstrates our commitment to our long-term sustainability strategy.' The Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Barsha Heights, close to Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. The four-star hotel consists of 1,015 suites and apartments over 41 floors and offers guests a variety of food and beverage options, a fitness centre and spa, outdoor swimming pool and meeting spaces for 100 delegates. Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek, said: 'The management team at the Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights had a clear vision and long-term strategy to adopt sustainable practices, to not only reduce its impact on the environment, but to reduce its operational costs as well. 'By following its strategic path over the last ten years, the hotel has consistently improved its performance levels year after year, which has culminated in these exceptional results. In essence, this is a win-win situation, for the environment and the hotel's bottom line.' Having signed its original partnership agreement with Green Globe in 2009, Farnek has certified well over 100 hotels and leisure facilities in 38 cities across the MENA region. This has enabled members to save in excess of 180 million kWh of energy, worth over $20 million, and more than two million cubic metres of water, valued at approximately $5 million.
Mid East Info
09-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Farnek recognises its most sustainable supplier - Middle East Business News and Information
UAE-based smart and green total FM company awards Fine Hygienic Holding for its commitment to sustainability during Farnek's annual green supplier awards Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 2025: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek , has acknowledged Fine Hygienic Holding as its top supplier in 2024, for its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility and ethical governance. Fine which supplies hygiene solutions to Farnek, was recognised by Farnek management for its net-zero strategy, ISO Certifications for Quality, Environment & Safety, good sustainability governance, annual carbon footprint and sustainability reporting, CSR policy and initiatives, strong worker welfare policy and for achieving the EcoVadis Silver Medal. Farnek had made the EcoVadis rating system a mandatory criterion, integrating it into the overall supplier evaluation score. EcoVadis, the global standard for resilient, sustainable supply chains, helps organisations manage ESG risk and compliance and improve the sustainability performance of their value chains. Their scorecards, benchmarks, tools and insights guide an improvement journey for environmental, social and ethical practices for over 150,000 businesses across 220 industries and 180 countries. 'If Farnek is going to achieve its own net zero ambitions, then it is critical that we reduce our Scope 3 emissions, those generated through our procurement process. It is estimated that suppliers can contribute up to 65% of any organisation's carbon footprint, so we must encourage, recognise and reward our suppliers through programmes such as our green awards, which is now in its fourth year,' said Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek. Launched in 2022, Farnek's initiative integrates environmental and social considerations into its procurement process, to bring about a more positive environmental impact, by appreciating and prioritising its suppliers demonstrating a similar commitment and ESG values. To achieve this, Farnek began by introducing green principles within its supply chain process, supporting its customers' eco-consciousness, to create long term valued partnerships, which drive supply chain sustainability. Initially, Farnek provided training so that suppliers could understand the award criteria which also helped to increase participation by 20% this year. Suppliers were then evaluated throughout a eight-stage process, which started with questionnaires being sent to key partners. Once these were completed and returned with supporting documentation, companies were scored, weighting their responses for each standard. By adopting a progressive rating system, Fine was the clear winner, scoring 95 out of a possible 100. 'All of the suppliers that submitted entries for the awards will receive feedback to help them improve their sustainability efforts. This is an integral part of our ongoing supplier engagement and supports our strategy to enhance our sustainable supply chain,' added Al Nahdi. Photo caption: (L-R) Markus Oberlin, Group CEO, Farnek, Seifeddine Beldi, Country Manager & Head of Key Accounts, Fine Hygienic Holding, Muna Al Nahdi, Director of Sustainability & Consultancy, Farnek, Mira Hachem, Director of Procurement, Farnek & Zaid Zeitoun, Business Development Manager, EcoVadis. About Farnek: Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 10,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.
Mid East Info
25-03-2025
- General
- Mid East Info
Farnek composts over 290 tonnes of staff food waste in four years - Middle East Business News and Information
Food waste during Ramadan highlights AED 4 billion year-round issue in UAE Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek , has composted over 290 tonnes of staff food waste over the past four years, at an average of 200kg per day, at its state-of-the-art staff accommodation centre, Farnek Village, in Dubai. 'Food waste is always a topic of conversation during Ramadan and for good reason, but it is issue year-round. It is estimated that in the UAE 38% of prepared food is thrown out annually. Unfortunately, that percentage increases by 25% during Ramadan compared to other months,' said Muna Al Nahdi, Director – Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek. Official figures indicate that food waste during Ramadan has increased from 2.7kg to 4.5kg per person per day, primarily due to excessive amounts of food prepared for Iftar and Suhour. The cost of this excess food is estimated at four billion dirhams a year, ranking the UAE as the fourth highest in the world per capita for discarded food. However, the increase in food waste making its way to landfill can be countered and Farnek's composter initiative is a prime example of how organisations can reduce their food waste, lower their carbon emissions and support the UAE's drive towards a net zero future. Farnek invested in a food composter with a capacity of 125 kilos which was commissioned to celebrate World Environmental Day in 2021. The machine processes all types of organic waste such as curry, roti, rice, bread, eggshells, chicken, mutton, fish, fish bones, chicken bones, fruit, fruit, vegetables, peelings and other kitchen waste. 'Food waste from the staff dining hall is emptied into the composting machine, which uses special microorganisms to break down and decompose the organic waste. The entire process reduces the original volume of waste by up to 90%, generating approximately between 12-25kg of nutrient-rich fertilizer,' commented Al Nahdi. Food waste in landfill emits methane gas during the decomposition process, which according to experts is 25 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide (CO2). So, composting our food waste is an effective way of reducing our carbon emissions and harmful gases, as well as eliminating food disposal costs. 'Whilst serving meals to the 5,000 staff we have based at Farnek Village, we are also saving up to 400 kilos of carbon and around 200 kilos of food waste every day,' said Nahdi. Farnek has also advised other organisations about how to manage their food waste, including hotels, commercial offices and mega sports events, concerts and entrainment destinations with large food and beverage vendors. Farnek is currently supporting du to divert more than 50kg of food waste per day from its Dubai HQ and also diverted 7.6 tons of organic waste over four days from Zayed Sports City during the Coldplay concert earlier this year. Looking at the broader issue of waste management, Farnek through its sister company HITEK has also brought WASTEK to market – an AI-driven digital solution that can conduct waste audits, develop recycling programmes, assures regulatory compliance and monitors waste diversion performance, through data collection. About Farnek: Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment.
Zawya
25-03-2025
- General
- Zawya
Farnek composts over 290 tonnes of staff food waste in four years
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, has composted over 290 tonnes of staff food waste over the past four years, at an average of 200kg per day, at its state-of-the-art staff accommodation centre, Farnek Village, in Dubai. 'Food waste is always a topic of conversation during Ramadan and for good reason, but it is issue year-round. It is estimated that in the UAE 38% of prepared food is thrown out annually. Unfortunately, that percentage increases by 25% during Ramadan compared to other months,' said Muna Al Nahdi, Director - Sustainability & Consultancy at Farnek. Official figures indicate that food waste during Ramadan has increased from 2.7kg to 4.5kg per person per day, primarily due to excessive amounts of food prepared for Iftar and Suhour. The cost of this excess food is estimated at four billion dirhams a year, ranking the UAE as the fourth highest in the world per capita for discarded food. However, the increase in food waste making its way to landfill can be countered and Farnek's composter initiative is a prime example of how organisations can reduce their food waste, lower their carbon emissions and support the UAE's drive towards a net zero future. Farnek invested in a food composter with a capacity of 125 kilos which was commissioned to celebrate World Environmental Day in 2021. The machine processes all types of organic waste such as curry, roti, rice, bread, eggshells, chicken, mutton, fish, fish bones, chicken bones, fruit, fruit, vegetables, peelings and other kitchen waste. 'Food waste from the staff dining hall is emptied into the composting machine, which uses special microorganisms to break down and decompose the organic waste. The entire process reduces the original volume of waste by up to 90%, generating approximately between 12-25kg of nutrient-rich fertilizer,' commented Al Nahdi. Food waste in landfill emits methane gas during the decomposition process, which according to experts is 25 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide (CO2). So, composting our food waste is an effective way of reducing our carbon emissions and harmful gases, as well as eliminating food disposal costs. 'Whilst serving meals to the 5,000 staff we have based at Farnek Village, we are also saving up to 400 kilos of carbon and around 200 kilos of food waste every day,' said Nahdi. Farnek has also advised other organisations about how to manage their food waste, including hotels, commercial offices and mega sports events, concerts and entrainment destinations with large food and beverage vendors. Farnek is currently supporting du to divert more than 50kg of food waste per day from its Dubai HQ and also diverted 7.6 tons of organic waste over four days from Zayed Sports City during the Coldplay concert earlier this year. Looking at the broader issue of waste management, Farnek through its sister company HITEK has also brought WASTEK to market – an AI-driven digital solution that can conduct waste audits, develop recycling programmes, assures regulatory compliance and monitors waste diversion performance, through data collection. -Ends- For more information, log on to About Farnek: Farnek is the leading provider of sustainable and technology-driven Facilities Management in the United Arab Emirates. Established in the UAE since 1980, Farnek Services LLC is a Swiss-owned independent total facilities management company. With a skilled workforce of more than 9,000 employees, Farnek delivers professional Facilities Management and security services across several sectors; Aviation, Hospitality, Banking, Retail, Shopping Malls, Telecom, Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, Government, Education, Leisure and Entertainment. For media information, please contact: STEVEN JONES Managing Director E-mail: Indigo Icon Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers PO Box 502701 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: A member of the ECCO Communications Network
