Supporting UNEP West Asia Office in Sustainable Lifestyles Initiatives

At the Sustainable Life Centre, we are dedicated to fostering sustainable living and environmental stewardship. Our recent collaboration with UNEP West Asia has been instrumental in promoting sustainable lifestyles throughout the region. Together, we have launched several key initiatives aimed at integrating sustainable practices into everyday life, particularly in the realms of fashion and food consumption.

Two women browsing through a selection of clothes in a boutique or small clothing store, one examining a brown garment and the other looking at a white item. Sustainable Lifestyles

Key Achievements

Organizing the West Asia Sustainable Fashion Academy (WASFA) Design Challenge

One of our standout achievements was facilitating the WASFA Design Challenge. This initiative brought together young, talented designers to create sustainable evening garments using locally sourced deadstock materials. By encouraging the use of these otherwise wasted resources, the challenge not only promoted sustainable fashion practices but also showcased innovative solutions to reduce fashion waste. The creativity and dedication of these young designers underscored the potential of sustainable fashion to make a significant impact in the industry.

Facilitating the Haya Magazine Partnership

Our partnership with Mediaquest enabled us to integrate UNEP’s Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook into the December edition of Haya Magazine. This collaboration highlighted circular fashion looks developed by regional designers mentored through WASFA, emphasizing the importance of sustainability in cultural and lifestyle narratives. By featuring these designs, we aimed to inspire a broader audience to embrace sustainable fashion and consider the environmental impact of their wardrobe choices.

Promoting the Recipe of Change Campaign

Addressing food waste is a critical aspect of sustainable living. Through the Recipe of Change campaign, we worked closely with UNEP ROWA to tackle food waste challenges in West Asia. By partnering with influential chefs and stakeholders from the hospitality and educational sectors, we raised awareness about sustainable food consumption practices. This campaign, aligned with SDG12.3, sought to promote behaviors that reduce food waste and encourage mindful consumption, making a tangible difference in how food is perceived and utilized in the region.

Concept Note and Coordination of COP28 Event "Food Is Never Waste"

Our support in conceptualizing and coordinating the COP28 event themed “Food Is Never Waste” was pivotal in spotlighting food waste reduction as a critical climate action. This event emphasized sustainable practices and global sustainability objectives championed by UNEP, providing a platform for stakeholders to discuss and advocate for effective food waste reduction strategies. The event highlighted the crucial link between food waste and climate change, advocating for systemic changes in food management.

Outcome

Our collaboration with UNEP West Asia has significantly enhanced the promotion of sustainable lifestyles and practices across the region. Through our initiatives, we have:

  • Increased awareness and adoption of sustainable fashion principles among emerging designers and industry stakeholders.
  • Raised awareness about effective strategies to reduce food waste, promoting sustainable consumption behaviors in alignment with global sustainability targets.

The Impact

The impact of our work has been profound, strengthening the collaboration between the Sustainable Life Centre and UNEP. Together, we are driving progress towards sustainable development goals, particularly in fashion sustainability and food waste reduction. Our initiatives have empowered local communities and stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices, fostering environmental resilience and socio-economic well-being in West Asia. This partnership positions the Sustainable Life Centre as a proactive leader in encouraging and advancing sustainable development through impactful initiatives.

Sustainable Life Center