EICC Publishes First Fully Integrated Impact Report, Setting New Benchmark for Venues

The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) has released its third annual Impact Report, marking a significant milestone as the first edition to combine environmental, societal and economic performance into a single, fully integrated assessment.

The report reflects the venue’s long-standing commitment to responsible business and positions EICC at the forefront of a broader industry shift — one that recognises events not only as economic drivers, but as platforms for positive environmental and social change.

Strong Economic Contribution and Measurable Environmental Progress

In 2025, EICC hosted 175 events, generating 173,000 delegate days and contributing £76 million to the local economy. Since opening in 1995, the venue has delivered more than £1 billion in economic impact to Edinburgh through jobs, investment and wider commercial opportunities linked to its events programme.

Alongside this growth, the report highlights significant progress in emissions reduction. Total emissions for 2025 stood at 996.5 tonnes of CO₂e — an average of 5.7 tonnes per event. This compares favourably with the current industry average of 7.61 tonnes per event, meaning EICC events generate around 25% fewer emissions than the benchmark identified by isla’s Temperature Check.

This performance contributes to a 62.8% reduction in emissions since 2013, achieved through sustained investment in energy efficiency, waste management, procurement and catering practices — all while the venue has effectively doubled its annual event volume.

Embedding Impact Across Communities and Knowledge Networks

Beyond environmental performance, the report outlines a series of initiatives designed to extend the value of events into the wider community.

Launched in March 2025, the EICC Impact Network enables organisers to connect their events with local stakeholders, including schools, universities, charities and businesses. Aligned with the five pillars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the network already includes more than 30 collaborators, with further expansion planned for 2026.

The Exchange Initiative, EICC’s academic advisory group, strengthens links between the city’s research community and the business events sector. By facilitating knowledge exchange, it allows conferences to contribute more directly to innovation and opportunity across Edinburgh. In October 2025, the first three Fellowship recipients attended the SIU Congress with fully funded participation, with a further 80 fellowships currently in development.

In parallel, EICC has also advanced inclusivity within event design. In February 2025, the venue partnered with Welcome Brain and ABPCO to launch the Neurodiversity in Events checklist — a practical tool to help planners embed inclusive practices from the outset. The framework was successfully trialled by NatWest during its Internal Audit Academy event in May 2025.

Driving Public Engagement and Reducing Waste

The venue continues to leverage its platform to engage broader audiences through its EICC Live programme, delivering six free-to-attend events in 2025. These sessions addressed key societal topics, from the circular economy and technology access to future-focused innovation, ensuring accessibility while fostering public dialogue.

Operationally, the report highlights strong progress in waste reduction. Food waste decreased by 33% compared with 2024, supported by enhanced separation and measurement systems that enable more effective purchasing, portion control and menu design. Food preparation waste also declined by 7.5%, driven by a root-to-tip approach in the kitchen, alongside carbon-labelled menus and a focus on locally sourced ingredients.

Leadership Perspective

Amanda Wrathall, Chief Executive Officer of the EICC, said: “At EICC, sustainability has shaped how we operate since opening in 1995 and continues to guide our approach today. What began as a focus on reducing our direct environmental impact has evolved into a broader commitment to supporting communities while protecting the natural world.

“This report reflects the progress we have made and the work still ahead. As Edinburgh’s largest purpose built conference centre, we recognise our responsibility to lead by example. As a city owned venue we remain committed to measuring, managing and reducing event-related emissions, while working in partnership with organisers and stakeholders to create meaningful, lasting value through every event we host.”

EICC’s latest Impact Report can be accessed here
 

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