Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has announced that they were proud to host the 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards last week and to sponsor the Net Zero Leadership Award category. In the second year of their partnership, MCEC and the Banksia Foundation are working together to promote a more sustainable future. MCEC hosted the Banksia Awards presentation for the second time, and the Banksia Awards align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and recognise leaders in sustainability, biodiversity, climate change and First Nations.
MCEC has embarked on an ambitious sustainability strategy to eliminate unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics, divert 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2025 and become 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity by 2028. And in 2016, MCEC implemented several energy efficiency initiatives, including upgrading the Energy Management System in the Exhibition Centre, which reduced energy consumption by up to 30 per cent. MCEC sources approximately 15 per cent of the entire venue’s energy usage from a wind farm in regional Victoria.
MCEC has also taken significant steps to reduce food waste, donating over 16,280 meals to OzHarvest in 2022, championing local produce on the MCEC menus and sourcing sustainable coffee. In 2019, MCEC installed an organic dehydration system, turning food waste into rich dirt, which is then used to generate power. The dehydrator reduces organic waste by up to 80 per cent and prevents food waste from being sent to landfill.
Natalie O’Brien AM, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Chief Executive said MCEC took sustainability seriously and was proud to sponsor the Banksia Net Zero Leadership Award for a second time.
“It was fantastic to see so many people attending the awards ceremony last week to celebrate leaders, changemakers and innovators in sustainability from across Australia. MCEC is privileged to be part of the incredible network of award sponsors and to recognise those leading the way to amore sustainable future.”
The Net Zero Leadership Award, sponsored by MCEC, was awarded to the leading Australian non-bank corporate lender and alternative asset manager, Metrics. The company engages in responsible investment, supporting organisations that place environmental, social and governance issues at the forefront of their operations and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reduce inequality and strengthen the economy and the community’s wellbeing. As well as investing in ESG-conscious organisations, Metrics has taken steps to reduce its operational emissions, committing to reach net-zero value chain emissions by 2050.
“As a leading corporate investment institution, Metrics has a unique opportunity to place environmental sustainability at the forefront of the Australian economy and is well-deserving of this award,” Natalie O’Brien added.
