Sustainability
Our sustainability targets
Eliminate unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics and divert 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2025.
Be 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity by 2028.
Reduce our net carbon emissions to zero by 2030.
Improve biodiversity, habitats and ecosystem health in Victoria.
Key achievements 2016 - 2020
In 2020 we appointed a full-time sustainability manager to lead the design and implementation of new green initiatives.
In FY 2020/21 we recovered more than 17 tonnes food waste through meal donations to OzHarvest and onsite organic waste processing.
Between 2015 and 2019 we reduced our carbon emissions by 22 per cent per m2.
We’ve installed 36 permanent ‘food cubes’, growing herbs, citrus & flowers to supply our menus.
Our Exhibition expansion and Convention Centre have Green Star ratings of 5 and 6-stars, respectively.
We installed an Energy Management System (EMS) in the Exhibition Centre that has resulted in a 30per cent reduction in energy use since 2016.
In 2019 we harvested over 3,100 kilolitres of rainwater and consumed 445 litres of water per m2 – an industry best.
In 2018-19 we diverted 62 per cent of all waste from landfill using 17 waste streams.
Case studies
Our Siddeley St carpark is being transformed into a 2,000m2 rooftop farm. Melbourne Skyfarm will feature sustainable dining, education and event spaces and provide around five tonnes of produce each year, much of which will be donated to local food charities.
Wherever possible we source produce from local suppliers. We also offer a 100-mile Market Garden menu option, using main ingredients sourced exclusively from farms and markets within 100 miles of MCEC. Our coffee supplier The Sustainable Coffee Company is a Melbourne based roaster and the first Australian coffee company to be 100 per cent carbon offset from tree to cup.
As partners in the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project, we developed a wind farm in regional Victoria which has offset 15 per cent of our electricity consumption. We’re also a member of the Business Renewables Centre Australia who help facilitate Australia’s shift towards large-scale wind and solar energy.
Planning a Sustainable Event
Awards and Accolades
The first convention centre in the world to be awarded a 6-star green star environmental rating.
Best Corporate Citizen at 2018 Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) Awards for Excellence.
2018 Premier’s Sustainability Award – government category for Melbourne Renewable Energy Project.
Has been assessed as meeting gold certification (seven years) requirements of the EarthCheck company standard