World first for Adelaide Convention Centre

Adelaide, South Australia’s reputation as a sustainable events destination has been further bolstered with Adelaide Convention Centre announced as the world’s first convention centre to achieve EarthCheck’s coveted Master certification.

This milestone achievement – a 15-year commitment to best practice in business and environmental sustainability – has reaffirmed the Centre’s global leadership at a time when sustainability has emerged as a major consideration for event organisers. 

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 program 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: 

• Adelaide Convention Centre achieved a greater than 99% diversion from landfill rate, the highest recorded rate of any convention centre in Australia;
• Adelaide Convention Centre’s average Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions are 72% lower tan the Australian convention centre average, and more significantly, 60% lower than the next best recorded competitor within the Australian region; and, 
• Adelaide Convention Centre’s avergae 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 Adelaide Convention Centre’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 fertiliser. 

Adelaide Convention Centre 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, Adelaide Convention Centre’s energy consumption has reduced more than 40%, thanks to a variety of different activities, including a staged transition to LED lighting. Currently 70% of lighting fixtures across the venuw are LED, with a target to achieve 100% LED lighting by 2027. 

Commitment to supporting local

Adelaide Convention Centre’s sustainability efforts extend to supporting local producers, with 97% 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. Adelaide Convention Centre 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. 

Sarah Goldfinch, General Manager – Adelaide Convention Centre comments, “At Adelaide Convention Centre, sustainability is embedded in everything we do, from our food and design to our practices and our people. Our EarthCheck Master certification reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainability. 

“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. We’re committed to working closely with our clients on sustainable management to help reduce their event footprint for a better tomorrow”. 

To learn more about Adelaide Convention Centre’s sustainability initiatives or to plan your next sustainable event, visit adelaidecc.com.au/sustainability