.jpg)
On the International Day of Zero Waste, the global stage was set for a fundamental shift in the tourism industry. This landmark roundtable was moderated by Adriano Sakaras (Global Coordinator, UNEP) and featured high-level addresses from Shigun Lu Lu (Executive Director, UN Tourism) and Sheila Aggarwal-Khan (Director, Industry and Economy Division, UNEP).
This session marked the global scaling of the Recipe of Change initiative—a joint venture between UN Tourism and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). They were joined by ministerial leaders including Mehmet Nuri Ersoy (Turkey), Widiyanti Putri Wardana (Indonesia), and Aziz Abdukhakimov (Uzbekistan), all of whom are integrating food waste reduction into their national climate agendas.
What is the "Recipe of Change"?
The "Recipe of Change" is a strategic framework designed to move the tourism sector from "good intentions to measurable plans". It serves as the official delivery mechanism for the Tourism of Food for Good initiative and the Global Roadmap for Food Waste Reduction in Tourism.
The framework is built on three core pillars:
- Measurement: Utilizing data to identify waste patterns.
- Operational Excellence: Redesigning menus, procurement, and kitchen workflows.
- Behavioral Change: Engaging both staff and guests to influence sustainable consumption.
High Impact: Measurable Results in Hospitality
The business case for zero waste is undeniable. For every $1 USD invested in reducing kitchen food waste, the average hotel saves $7 USD.
The Role of Technology: Scaling Impact with Hilton
AI technology is at the forefront of this transformation, proving that data is the key ingredient for operational change. Nikki Walsh, Senior Director of Food and Drink Marketing at Hilton, showcased the remarkable results of the "Green Ramadan" and "Green Breakfast" campaigns.
Launched as a pilot project in West Asia, these initiatives utilized Winnow’s AI-driven computer vision to help chefs pinpoint exactly where food waste occurred in the kitchen. The impact was immediate and significant:
- Rapid Results: In just its first month, the "Green Ramadan" pilot achieved a 62% reduction in food waste across participating hotels.
- Scale and Reach: What began as a project in three hotels has now scaled to 45 hotels across 14 countries, influencing the behaviors of over 342,000 guests.
- Proven Strategy: By combining measurement with guest engagement and operational shifts—such as smaller portion sizes and zero-waste cooking techniques—Hilton has demonstrated a scalable roadmap for the entire hospitality sector.
Industry Leaders Stepping Up
Fourteen global "Launch Partners" representing over $25 billion in annual revenue have committed to the initiative, including:
- Accor and Hilton (represented by Nikki Walsh, who detailed the Green Ramadan campaign).
- Radisson Hotel Group (represented by Inge Huijbrechts, focusing on net-zero targets).
- Club Med, Six Senses, Iberostar, and TUI Group.
Case Study: Constance Hotels & Resorts
Alvaro de la Riva of Constance Hotels & Resorts highlighted their impressive operational success: a 45% reduction in food waste, saving 195,000 kg of food and preventing nearly half a million kg of CO₂ emissions.
Read more about Constance Hotels & Resorts’ success story: Constance Hotels: Leading the Way in Sustainability Across the Indian Ocean
CEO Insights: Ben Lephilibert on Financial Precision
Ben Lephilibert, CEO of LightBlue Consulting, emphasized that the industry often underestimates the "true cost of food waste". He argued that a comprehensive approach across all dining outlets is essential, as measurement creates the alignment needed at the leadership level to optimize margins.
A Unified Vision for 2030
As the industry prepares for COP 31 in Antalya, Turkey, the focus has shifted entirely to implementation. The "Recipe of Change" provides the community, tools, and accountability needed to halve food waste by 2030.
Turning sustainability goals into tangible results requires the right tools. Explore how LightBlue’s FIT Food Waste Monitoring Tech empowers your team with real-time data to drive measurable waste reduction.
Become an official part of the UN-led transformation. By joining the initiative, you gain access to a global community and a standardized framework for reporting. Sign the Commitment & Download the Toolkit on the Recipe of Change Website
