Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre Sponsors National Sustainability Award

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) hosted the 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards last week sponsoring the Net Zero Leadership Award category.

Now in the second year of their partnership, MCEC and the Banksia Foundation work together to promote a more sustainable future, with MCEC hosting the Banksia Awards presentation for the second time. 

The Banksia Awards align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and recognise leaders in sustainability, biodiversity, climate change and First Nations, areas which MCEC is passionate about.

MCEC has embarked on an ambitious sustainability strategy to eliminate unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics, divert 90% of waste from landfill by 2025 and become 100% powered by renewable electricity by 2028.

In 2016, MCEC implemented a number of energy efficiency initiatives, including upgrading the Energy Management System in the Exhibition Centre, which resulted in a reduction of 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 our 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 takes 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 in attendance at 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 that are leading the way to amore sustainable future.”

The Net Zero Leadership Award, sponsored by MCEC was awarded to leading Australian non-bank corporate lender and alternative asset manager, Metrics.

Metrics engages in responsible investment, supporting organisations that place environmental, social and governance issues at the forefront of their operations and working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reduce inequality and strengthen the economy and the wellbeing of the community.

As well as investing in ESG conscious organisations, Metrics has taken steps to reduce their own 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,” Ms O’Brien added.