Dubai’s leading sustainability voices joined BE WTR for an informative roundtable on World Earth Day | News
To mark World Earth Day, BE WTR hosted a Sustainability Roundtable at W Hotel Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, welcoming some of the UAE’s most influential voices in hospitality, sustainability, media and local community initiatives. With ESG practices being a hot topic at the moment, the event put the spotlight on homegrown brands and changemakers who are actively shaping a more responsible, circular and environmentally conscious future in the region.
The roundtable discussion, held on April 22, internationally recognized as World Earth Day, highlighted how local luxury brands in the UAE, especially in the hospitality industry, are already implementing meaningful sustainability practices. It explored how these efforts can be translated into more consumer-oriented decisions, encouraging individuals to make more informed and responsible choices in their daily consumption. The importance of stronger government support and policy frameworks to accelerate progress towards net zero was discussed, alongside the need for clearer communication between brands and consumers. The conversation also addressed the key challenges facing sustainability-driven businesses, including balancing financial viability with environmental responsibility and effectively communicating their impact to an increasingly aware public.
BE WTR’s roundtable is designed to celebrate and amplify local brands that prioritize sustainability through organic sourcing, waste reduction and community empowerment. The session, hosted at the W Hotel Mina Seyahi, created an open platform for discussion, collaboration and knowledge sharing, reinforcing the importance of continuous dialogue in driving long-term behavior change and industry-wide transformation.
The roundtable was moderated by Rachel Redfern, editor-in-chief of The Carbon Current, and featured a diverse panel of experts, including Mike Hecker, founder and CEO of BE WTR; Amit Nayak, Vice President at HAMA MEA; Amanda Grögor, environmental lawyer; Omar Shihab, Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of BOCA and Jennifer Sault, Founder and Managing Director of Thrift for Good. Together they offered unique perspectives on marine conservation, sustainable fashion, hospitality operations, ESG reporting and circular business models.
The UAE’s evolving definition of ‘homegrown sustainability’ was explored, with a strong emphasis on localization and resilience. Speakers highlighted how sourcing products locally reduces environmental impact while strengthening supply chains and supporting national development. The importance of transparency also emerged as a key theme, with clear ESG reporting and open communication identified as key to building trust and driving informed consumer choices.
Panelists also addressed the commercial realities of sustainability, noting that long-term success depends on the balance between environmental responsibility and financial viability. Discussions focused on the growing role of technology in measuring waste and improving efficiency, as well as the increasing influence of social media in combating greenwashing and raising awareness. With such diverse discussion topics as circular practices in the hospitality industry, such as reducing food waste and reusing materials, to broader policy recommendations including incentives and regulations, the discussion highlighted how sustainability is an ongoing journey that requires collaboration, data and accountability.
Mike Hecker, Founder and CEO of BE WTR, commented: “We strongly believe in strengthening local water systems by producing premium water where it is consumed. Using advanced filtration and bottling technology, we can create high-quality water from local sources while significantly reducing the environmental impact associated with its import. As climate change continues to impact water sources worldwide, consumers are becoming increasingly aware and demanding safer, more sustainable options. That’s why building resilient, local ecosystems are the key to the future of responsible consumption.”
He also explained how “BE WTR is built on a circular model, with our bottles being reused up to 300 times, making it a much more sustainable alternative to single-use formats. In the UAE, we are proud to offer a locally sourced, high-quality and ultra-filtered water solution that combines quality, transparency and responsibility in every bottle we serve.”
Amit Nayak, Vice President at HAMA MEA, added: “The real challenge is not the lack of solutions, but building the right mindset, education and alignment across the industry. Sustainability cannot be treated as a side initiative; it must be embedded in daily business operations, decision-making and investment thinking, while also making commercial sense. When every stakeholder understands their role, sustainability becomes part of the culture, not something that is done every now and then, but simply the way we create long-term value in hospitality. “
Omar Shihab, Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of BOCA, said: “Sustainability requires a change in mindset across the value chain, starting with a clearer understanding of where products come from, how they are grown and how they are used at every stage. In the hospitality industry, guests still prioritize quality and experience, so the responsibility lies with restaurants to ensure sustainability enhances the contents of the plate, rather than compromising. That means embracing local sourcing, the way ingredients are used need to improve and think more circularly.”
He continued: “At the same time, you can’t change what you can’t measure, so data plays a critical role in identifying inefficiencies and driving meaningful progress. It’s an ongoing journey, but through greater ownership, community collaboration and small, thoughtful nudges that raise awareness, the industry can start to change behavior in a more impactful and sustainable way.”
Amanda Grögor, environmental advocate, said: “With the recent mangrove planting and coral restoration projects, alongside stronger ESG commitments across all sectors, we are seeing real momentum in the UAE, which is incredibly encouraging. Social media is also playing a powerful role in driving transparency and challenging greenwashing, creating a new level of awareness that is already impacting the way people think and consume. Looking ahead, the responsibility must fall as much on producers as on consumers, and Through clearer communication, stronger policies and more circular approaches such as second-hand consumption, we can start to change behavior in more meaningful ways.”
“One of the most impactful steps we can explore is the introduction of a plastic tax for fashion brands, which would help change both industry behavior and consumer mindsets. By making the environmental costs of production more visible, it encourages brands to take greater responsibility for their materials and production processes, while also encouraging consumers to think more consciously about keeping items longer, repairing them or choosing second-hand,” concludes Amanda.
Jennifer Sault, Founder and CEO of Thrift for Good, commented: “We need to position sustainability as the first and most desirable choice, and show that it can be at the premium end of the market without compromise. At Thrift for Good, our focus is on ensuring that clothing never ends up in the landfill, proving that small, everyday decisions can contribute to much larger, more effective systems. As exciting innovations continue to emerge, there is a real opportunity to reshape consumer behavior and create a more create a circular, impactful future.”
Following the discussion, guests had the opportunity to experience BE WTR’s operations first-hand through a tour of the bottling plant. The visit provided a behind-the-scenes look at the brand’s circular model in action, showing how locally filtered water is bottled in reusable glass designed for up to 300 uses. This reinforces the brand’s commitment to reducing waste and eliminating the need for single-use plastics.
As the UAE continues to position itself at the forefront of sustainability and innovation, BE WTR’s World Earth Day roundtable celebrated the achievements of homegrown brands, while paving the way for continued dialogue, action and impact in the years to come.
