CIM: What are the biggest challenges on the road to a sustainable future from an event venue’s perspective?

Geoff Donaghy: ICC Sydney drives social and economic benefits through business events, although as a major venue, it can generate a significant carbon footprint. As a founding signatory to the Joint Meetings Industry Council Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, we’ve designed a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Plan to address critical environmental targets.

What are the key components of the CSR program?

Our CSR program embodies three pillars: Protect the Environment, Invest in People, and Strengthen our Communities. We’ve aligned our CSR Strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Do you see an increased demand for sustainable events?

We are increasingly supporting event organisers to deliver sustainable events – since opening, our industry leading Legacy Program has been engaged through more than 340 socially and environmentally impactful initiatives at events. We collaborate with clients to reduce event waste, carbon footprint, and utilise water, energy and food resources sustainably.

What support do you offer planners who want to hold a sustainable event at ICC Sydney?

We’re proud to offer event planners a suite of sustainable event guides and checklists. Through our Feeding Your Performance culinary philosophy we source local and sustainable food. We’ve created an award-winning waste reduction program, received a Silver EarthCheck certification, and won the international UFI Sustainable Development Award.

What sustainability projects are coming up next?

7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted every year in Australia. To help combat this, our team has donated more than 98,000 meals to people in need. We collaborate with local and state government to lead the business events industry in food waste reduction, and continuously invest in technology to understand where we can improve.

Thank you, Mr. Donaghy! Johanna Palmu