From GreenPower to a cellar of carbon-neutral wines, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has deployed the best of its industry-leading green initiatives at this week’s 6th Australia-New Zealand Climate Change and Business Conference.
The three-day event brings together more than 600 business leaders from across Australia and New Zealand to confront the challenges of climate change.
Speakers include scientists and environmental specialists from around the world, as well as political leaders including Australia’s Climate Change Minister Senator Penny Wong, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action Senator Simon Birmingham, Greens Senator Christine Milne and New Zealand Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith.
As a sponsor of the conference, the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is supplying GreenPower to the event, ensuring electricity is generated from renewable carbon-neutral sources.
Under its award-winning EcoWise program, the Centre is also offering a series of other environmental initiatives including energy efficient lighting, waste separation and recycling systems and water-saving measures.
To showcase its sustainable food policies, the Centre’s Executive Chef Uwe Habermehl designed a special menu for the Conference gala dinner in which all produce is either organic, carbon-neutral or locally sourced.
“There are enormous opportunities for businesses that commit to reducing their carbon footprint and supplying high-quality sustainable produce, so these are the businesses we want to showcase and support,” Mr Habermehl said.
“By sourcing local products we reduce the emissions associated with them. For example, the sake we use is excellent but it’s not Japanese, it comes from a Sydney producer who makes it with Australian rice.”
“Our truffles are from Oberon beyond the Blue Mountains,” Mr Habermehl said. “Global warming poses a threat to truffles grown in France, but Australian producers are succeeding in finding locations that offer alternative sources.”
Other produce selected for the dinner included Australian balsamic vinegar, mushrooms from the Southern Highlands, free range chicken, locally produced chocolates, goats’ curd from a specialist NSW dairy and carbon-neutral wines made by Taylors Wines.
The Australia-New Zealand Climate Change and Business Conference, August 10-12, is a carboNZero certified conference, operating with an emission reduction plan, an independent carbon audit and a certified carbon offset.
The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre was one of the first two convention centres in the world to receive the international Green Globe benchmark accreditation for its environmental programs and the first Australian venue to achieve a silver Green Globe benchmark.
