BCEC reinforces its global environmental leadership

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s leading role in sustainable management for the meetings and events industry has been recognised with it having achieved EarthCheck Platinum Certification.

As a result, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) joins an elite group of worldwide venues which operate at the highest international environmental standards.

The coveted recognition is the culmination of 10 consecutive years of rigorously audited best practice in sustainability, recognising the Centre’s strong leadership and innovation in several key areas of social and environmental actions.

BCEC has consistently performed as a leader in several key areas of social and environmental actions. From sustainable construction to energy and water conservation, responsible procurement, food distribution and participation in community initiatives, the sustainability message is reinforced and integrated through all aspects of the BCEC’s business and culture.

Advising that achieving EarthCheck Platinum Certification places BCEC within a unique network of convention centres in the world that can demonstrate and quantify corporate social responsibility and sustainability, EarthCheck Chief Executive and founder, Stewart Moore stated “the BCEC Team has inspired a number of initiatives in the community and consistently demonstrated commitment to adopting responsible environmental practices and promoting the need for more sustainable operations.”

BCEC General Manager, Bob O’Keeffe AM explained that the Centre has been at the forefront of sustainability, having been an inaugural member of Australia’s Greenhouse Challenge in 2001 and the first Australian convention centre to develop its very own Carbon Calculator for measuring remissions.

O’Keeffe went on to say “sustainability is essential to the future of our industry and the global community. Platinum Certification is a pivotal milestone in ensuring the Centre’s future success and sustainability. I thank the BCEC team for their ongoing commitment and their contribution to this achievement.”

O’Keeffe said the Centre’s activities continue to support the Queensland Government’s transition to a resilient low carbon economy and thanked the Centre’s owners, South Bank Corporation for helping to facilitate the Centre’s environmental accomplishments, including the installation of a solar system for BCEC on Grey Street.

BCEC Sustainability Initiatives
A priority for BCEC is reducing centre-wide energy demand with the highlight initiative, the installation of 764 solar panels, reducing the energy requirements of the Grey Street building by 40%.

The installation of new LED lighting within the Centre’s Exhibition Halls with daylight harvesting and control of lighting levels via an app, has resulted in a 50% reduction in energy demand for the Exhibition Centre

Replacing car park lighting with an LED sensor control system, allows the lighting to be triggered from a pre-determined rest level to raise the lighting level well ahead of the direction of pedestrians or cars using the facility. This has reduced power to 15% of prior levels.

The Centre’s organic dehydrator has reduced food waste volume by 85%, converting it to a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser which is distributed on Brisbane city parklands including the Centre’s location in the South Bank Parklands.

Images: The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (top), it's rooftop solar installation (middle) and its EarthCheck recognition (below).