Sydney consistently ranks highly in the Global Destination Sustainability Index.
We achieve this through a range of actions, like our Sustainability Policy and driving role in the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Destination Partnership. We also provide information and resources to help you host sustainable business events in Sydney.
Margaret Campbell performing a Smoking Ceremony. Credit: Destination NSW
Our Sustainability Policy
We want Sydney to be a sustainable destination for business events. We are a purpose-led organisation and our Sustainability Policy outlines our vision to build a sustainable future and commitments to reduce emissions, work with partners, consider sustainability in purchasing processes, build our organisation’s capability, and implement our social impact framework, so we can measure our contributions.
We are Climate Active
We are a certified member of the Climate Active Network. To achieve this certification, we have reduced and offset our emissions to be net zero, developed an Emissions Reduction Strategy and committed to lower our emissions by 30% by 2030.
We have also purchased:
- 81% of offsets from the Australian Raak Nguunge-Pormpuraaw Savanna Burning project which provides employment opportunities for traditional First Nations owners as well as increased biodiversity through the implementation of cultural burning, continued cultural practice, cultural knowledge exchange, and revitalization of land and people.
- 19% of offsets from ACME Solar Photovoltaic Project in India, which supports the implementation and installation of grid connected renewable solar energy power plants in several regions across India contributing to energy security and the country’s transition away from fossil fuel fired power plants.
Top 10 in the Global Destination Sustainability Index
In 2016, Sydney was one of the first cities in the world – and the first in Australia – to join the annual Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), which benchmarks, improves and recognises destinations’ sustainability performance. In 2024, we ranked top 10 worldwide, and we continue to work with our partners the City of Sydney and Destination NSW to implement and improve sustainability strategies and report on our performance.
Sustainable Destination Partnership
We are a founding Associate Member of the Sustainable Destination Partnership, developed by the City of Sydney. The Partnership includes leading hotels, event centres, cultural institutions and tourism bodies that work together to build Sydney's reputation as a leading sustainable destination and improve environmental performance, by minimising single-use items and food waste, adopting renewable energy sources, improving water efficiency and increasing sustainability across the supply chain.
The International Convention Centre (ICC)
Networked for sustainability
Our network plays a vital role to ensure that events delivered in Sydney support environmental sustainability. This includes our Major Partner International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), which is part of a recognised Green Precinct. It has been awarded for its green infrastructure, which includes efficient energy, water and waste facilities; and its sustainability strategies, which include initiatives to reduce landfill, food waste, and the use of consumables.
Host a sustainable business event in Sydney
We know that sustainability is important to many event owners who choose to host their conference, corporate meeting or incentive event in Sydney, so we do everything we can to make it easy for you. We:
- connect you to our network of sustainability partners, including venues, hotels and PCOs
- provide guidelines for hosting a sustainable event in Sydney
- share and include information on environmental sustainability in bid proposals
- include quick view information on sustainability policies in our free supplier search, to help you identify and connect with suitable service providers.