A convention centre in Australia has become the first in the
world to hit a coveted environmental benchmark - thanks, in part, to its 'waste obsessed' managers.
Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC), in South Australia, has achieved
EarthCheck’s Master status – a 15-year commitment to best practice in business
and environmental sustainability.
Martin Radcliffe, general manager – Adelaide Convention Centre, said: “We’re obsessed with energy and water conservation, responsible sourcing and minimising waste to landfill, and work closely with our clients on sustainable event management, including minimal impact exhibitions, to help reduce their event footprint for a better tomorrow.
“The convention and event organisers we work with are highly motivated by supporting the environment and local communities, and it’s critical that we continue to go about our business sustainably. As part of our commitment to this area, we recently employed a dedicated ESG Manager to oversee the delivery and implementation of our sustainability strategy, and I’m enthused were this work can take us in the coming years."
EarthCheck is the world’s leading business advisory group
specialising in sustainability and destination management for the travel and
tourism industry.
Adelaide Convention Centre has actively participated in the
global EarthCheck programme since 2007, consistently performing at above best
practice in several key areas of social and environmental actions.
In its most recent EarthCheck audit, the centre demonstrated
its ongoing sustainability leadership by being identified as the leader in the
Australian business events industry when it comes to not only minimising waste
to landfill, but also potable water consumption, energy consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions.
The venue’s 2022/2023 EarthCheck audit highlights included:
• ACC achieved a greater than 99% diversion from landfill rate, the highest recorded rate of any convention
centre in Australia
• Its average Scope 1 and 2 GHG
emissions are 72% lower than the Australian convention centre average, and more
significantly, 60% lower than the next best recorded competitor within the
Australian region
• The venue’s average potable water
consumption was measured at 73% lower than the Australian convention centre
regional average, and 47% lower than all other recorded convention centres in
Australia.
Eliminating waste to landfill
As part of ACC’s commitment to
ongoing innovation in this space, the venue recently installed Adelaide’s first
WasteMaster – an innovative on-site food and organic waste recycling system,
which converts food waste to high value uses, including energy production,
fertiliser and compost. Since the WasteMaster’s May 2023 installation, it has
processed more than 43 tonnes of organic waste and produced more than 15 tonnes
of nutrient rich fertilizer.
ACC also operates a comprehensive
food redistribution program, which has seen the venue donate more than 200,000
unused meals to support local community organisations OzHarvest, Foodbank and
Faithworks.
Reducing energy consumption
Since 2018, ACC’s energy consumption
has reduced more than 40 per cent, thanks a variety of different activities,
including a staged transition to LED lighting. Currently 70 per cent of
lighting fixtures across the venue are LED, with a target to achieve 100 per
cent LED lighting by 2027.
Commitment to supporting local
ACC’s sustainability efforts extend
to supporting local producers, with 97 per cent of produce sourced from South
Australian suppliers. This commitment to supporting local not only ensures visiting delegates enjoy a ‘taste of South
Australia’ and supports local business but ensures that goods and services
procured by the venue have reduced mileage and transport GHG emissions. The venue has also demonstrated it is socially sustainable
through development of partnerships with local First Nations producers to
plant, grow and supply native ingredients specifically for the venue’s Honest
Goodness menu.
Stewart Moore, CEO and founder of EarthChecK, added: “Achieving
EarthCheck certification is no easy feat as it requires total and ongoing
dedication from the entire team. The passion and commitment demonstrated by the
ACC team is not only evident in our interactions with
them, but in the improvement of their results, year on year. Since joining the
global EarthCheck program, Adelaide Convention Centre has consistently
performed at above best practice in several key areas and are leading by
example.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
