GCCEC has adhered to UN Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles for its sustainability initiatives.

The strategy has been developed in consultation with GG Enviro environmental consultant Larissa Rose. It outlines what sustainability goals the venue has achieved so far, and the initiatives it will implement from 2024 to 2028.

Terry Murphy, GCCEC’s executive manager, property operations, says the sustainability strategy reflects the organisation’s dedication to being a leader in driving a more environmentally conscious events industry.

“We have taken our commitment to responsible operations a step further with the development and implementation of a five-year plan that sees us educate, act and deliver across multiple areas, from internal processes to offering support to clients and visitors to GCCEC,” he says.

GCCEC has also developed an emissions calculator that provides insight and actionable data to stakeholders.

The event emissions calculation tool – developed by Australian company NetNada – provides an emissions estimate based on GCCEC-specific space and energy usage.

The methodology used is only applicable to Australian-based events and the calculation aligns with Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards.

“Our duty of care is to ensure we are not only being accountable to the operations of GCCEC, but empowering our clients to strengthen their knowledge and understanding on the energy, waste and water emissions generated by their events,” says Rose, GCCEC’s sustainability advisor.

“The calculator provides a way to access data and compile it in a way to educate and empower greater understanding.”

GCCEC’s event emissions calculator for clients has been released in conjunction with the venue’s five-year sustainability strategy.

“Sustainability is an important responsibility for everyone, and our calculator is a tool that can offer invaluable information to educate our clients and assist with building greater awareness about the emissions generated by events, and finding solutions to reducing these levels,” says Murphy.

Since opening in 2004, GCCEC has implemented many sustainable initiatives such as responsible waste management, optimised energy usage, reduced water usage and the achievement of Master certification (15 Years) by EarthCheck, the world’s leading business advisory group specialising in sustainability and destination management for the travel and tourism industry.

“As businesses strive towards net-zero ambitions and cater to increasing demand for environmentally conscious options, the hospitality and event sectors emerge as key players,” says Afonso Firmo, co-founder and director, NetNada.

“There’s a significant opportunity for companies to put their ambitious strategies into action and attract eco-minded customers by partnering with sustainable venues that provide low emissions and sustainable experiences.”

To read GCCEC’s Sustainability Strategy, click here.

For more information, visit: gccec.com.au or contact GCCEC’s sustainability advisor, Larissa Rose, at sustainability@gccec.com.au.