Sustainability Policy
This policy describes Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s approach and commitment to sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment and provide benefit to the community.
Our policy
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is located in South Wharf, Victoria and comprises the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, opened in February 1996, the Melbourne Convention Centre, opened in June 2009 and the MCEC expansion opened in July 2018.
These three fully integrated facilities trade as Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The total size of the Convention and Exhibition Centre is 90,000 square metres. The venue consists of 63 meeting rooms, outdoor courtyard spaces, a Plenary that can be divided into three self-contained acoustically separate theatres. The Goldfields Theatre a 9,000 square metre multi-purpose event space with a retractable 1,000-seat theatre and 40,000 square metres of pillarless exhibition space.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) is enacted by the establishing legislation to oversee the management of MCEC.
Our policy
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is located in South Wharf, Victoria and comprises the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, opened in February 1996, the Melbourne Convention Centre, opened in June 2009 and the MCEC expansion opened in July 2018.
These three fully integrated facilities trade as Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The total size of the Convention and Exhibition Centre is 90,000 square metres. The venue consists of 63 meeting rooms, outdoor courtyard spaces, a Plenary that can be divided into three self-contained acoustically separate theatres. The Goldfields Theatre a 9,000 square metre multi-purpose event space with a retractable 1,000-seat theatre and 40,000 square metres of pillarless exhibition space.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) is enacted by the establishing legislation to oversee the management of MCEC.
All MCET members, MCEC management, MCEC employees (including contractors and casual staff).
MCEC’s purpose is to connect people locally and globally to share, collaborate, learn and inspire. Our vision is to lead extraordinary environmental change and amplify our social impact, by forging partnerships and inspiring our people, to leave a positive legacy.
MCEC is committed to continual improvement in environmental and social sustainability through meeting government and legislative requirements, and customer and employee expectations to reduce our impact on the environment.
This commitment has been formalised through the implementation of the MCEC Sustainability Strategy 2021-26. The five-year Sustainability Strategy is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is underpinned by three principles: a low carbon, circular economy, the waste hierarchy principles and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
MCEC’s Operation Environment Green Team, made up of staff and key stakeholders, is responsible for driving positive environmental outcomes across the venue and integrating the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability into every facet of MCEC strategy and operations.
Our approach aligns to our nine key priorities areas and associated commitments, as detailed within the MCEC Sustainability Strategy 2021–26:
Climate Change - Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and take action to minimise our effect on climate change.
Waste And Resource Recovery - Embed circular economy principles across all aspects of the business to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and help Melbourne's transition to a zero waste city.
Energy - Continually improve energy efficiency, reduce our energy consumption and transition to renewable energy.
Water - Conserve precious water by limiting our consumption of potable water, using it efficiently and harvesting rainwater for reuse.
Nature - Contribute to improving and protecting biodiversity and our ecosystem through initiatives that connect our employees, visitors and community with the natural environment.
Infrastructure & Transport - Design and operate all new and existing infrastructure and building upgrades with environmentally sustainable considerations at the forefront. Ensure our employees, customers and visitors are encouraged and able to make active and sustainable transport choices.
Sustainable Procurement - Harness our purchasing power as a force for good by prioritising local, ethical and sustainable suppliers. Embed socially responsible and circular economy principles into our purchasing decisions to drive positive social, environmental and economic impacts for the wider community.
Education, Awareness & Engagement - Inspire our people and our community to champion sustainability by creating awareness and leading by example and consistently communicate our sustainability objectives and our achievements.
Equality, Recognition & Reconciliation - Acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, celebrate cultural diversity, raise public awareness and improve MCEC’s cultural capacity and maintain an environment that is free from discrimination and where employees, customers and visitors are treated fairly and with respect.
MCEC
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
MCET
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust
CO2-e
Carbon dioxide emissions
SDG
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
External
Earth Check Company standard v4.1
Sector Benchmarking Indicators for Companies v5.1
Dec 2020 Victorian Environmental Protection Authority
Internal
MCET Sustainability Strategy 2021-26
MCET Sustainable Procurement Policy 2021-23
Division name - Operational Services
Department - Sustainability
Sponsor - Chief Operating Officer
Responsible Officer - Sustainability Manager
Review Frequency - Annual
Policy ID - MCET-725537380-4601
Approved Date - 06/09/2022
Version – 1.1