Leading hotels, event centres, museums and tourism bodies have joined forces with the City of Sydney to make Sydney a more globally recognised and sustainable destination for business and holidays.
More than 30 local and international organisations from the accommodation and entertainment sectors have signed up to the City’s new Sustainable Destination Partnership.
The program will identify ways for businesses to become greener through environmental ratings, increased use of renewable energy, reduced water use and improved waste management and recycling.
The program was inspired by the success of the City’s Better Buildings Partnership. This collaboration of major property owners has recorded an impressive 52 per cent emissions reduction across the program partners’ combined $105 billion property portfolio since 2006.
The sustainable destination partnership program will bring together the largest hotels in the city who represent half of the hotel rooms in the City area, the leading national backpacker hostels provider, government-owned cultural institutions and international entertainment and event brands.
Speaking at the official Sydney Opera House launch last night, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the program is the next step in engaging with industry to meet the City’s ambitious carbon reduction targets.
“Climate change is the biggest issue we are facing here at the City, so it is critical that we work with our industry partners to improve their environmental performance,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The accommodation and entertainment sector generates 47 per cent of all commercial waste in our city, with only half of this recycled – and as Australia’s largest accommodation market it is up to Sydney to be a national leader when it comes to creating sustainable destinations.
“With the industry continuing to expand and visitors contributing $16.7 billion to the local economy, we have a real opportunity to achieve substantial environmental outcomes through this initiative.
“By working collaboratively with the key players in this sector, we can reduce carbon pollution, boost the use of renewable energy and put Sydney on the map as a sustainable destination for leisure and business travellers.”
Sydney is home to 20,000 hotel rooms, 5,500 serviced apartments and more than 7,000 backpacker hostel beds.
In 2015/16 the accommodation and entertainment sector was responsible for 21 per cent of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions and 14 per cent of drinking water consumption.
The program participants will work together on a range of projects that will see an increase in the use of energy from renewable sources, less waste diverted to landfill and a reduction in the use of drinking water.
The country’s peak accommodation industry body, Tourism Accommodation Australia, is backing the City’s program.
“As a 24/7 industry, the accommodation sector has a significant environmental impact through energy and water consumption. We recognise a focus on environmental sustainability is vital for us all,” said Carol Giuseppi, CEO of Tourism Accommodation.
“We congratulate the City on this initiative to increase our awareness of waste and energy issues and set real goals for the industry that will help us achieve economic as well as environmental savings.”
Support for Sydney’s Sustainable Destination Partnership Program
“The Sustainable Destinations Partnership aligns with YHA’s Sustainability Action Plan, which is achieved on a macro and micro level at the four youth hostels YHA operates in the City of Sydney. Our initiatives range from solar panels and water harvesting at the Sydney Harbour YHA to grass-roots activities such a “green wall” of plants and herbs for guests’ use at Railway Square YHA.”
Julian Ledger, CEO, YHA Australia
“The Hilton Sydney is delighted to be partnered with the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Destination Program as it aligns with the hotel’s core values and our Travel With Purpose program. A sustainable future should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind and we feel privileged that we are able to contribute to making a positive environmental impact within our community.”
Ronald Van Weezel, GM, Hilton Sydney
“Fox Studios Australia are thrilled to be a founding member of the Partnership. We are very much looking forward to working with other venues and facilities in the sector to achieve the Sustainable Sydney 2030 targets.”
John Hughes, Head of Commercial & Operations, Fox Studios Australia
“The Langham Sydney is proud to support The City of Sydney in its engagement towards making our community more sustainable and aware about our green initiatives.”
Gaylord Lamy, GM, Langham Hotel
“The Grace Hotel is delighted to have joined the City of Sydney in the Sustainable Destination Partnership. With an ever increasing global focus on environmental awareness, The Grace Hotel is very conscious of this and ensures our presence in market also is underpinned by our commitment to sustainability and commitment to meeting green initiatives. We look forward to working with the City of Sydney and other partners to achieve the highest rating in this area.”
Andrew Allen, Hotel Manager, The Grace Hotel
“Corporate social responsibility is a core pillar of ICC Sydney’s operations and we are proud to be partnering with the City of Sydney and Sydney venues in the Sustainable Destination Partnership. Promoting Sydney as a sustainable events city provides us with yet another competitive advantage when talking to clients locally and globally.”
Geoff Donaghy, CEO, ICC
Organisations that will take part in the sustainable destination program include:
- Accor
- Amora Hotel
- Art Gallery of NSW
- Australian Museum
- Australian National Maritime Museum
- City of Sydney
- Fox Studios Productions
- Grace Hotel
- Hilton
- Holiday Inn
- Hyatt Regency
- IHG Intercontinental Sydney
- International Convention Centre
- The Langham Hotel
- Merlin Sydney Wildlife World
- Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Park Royal
- Schwartz Family Company
- Shangri-la
- Star Entertainment Group
- State Library
- Sydney Living Museums
- Sydney Opera House
- Veriu
- YHA
Organisations supporting the program as associate members include:
- Business Events Sydney
- Earth Check
- GBCA
- Griffith Institute
- Good Compass
- My Green Butler
- NSW Office of Environment & Heritage
- Ozharvest
- PCA
- Supply Chain School
- Tourism Accommodation Australia
- Tourism Transport Forum
For media inquiries or images, contact Belinda Wallis. Phone mobile 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Julia Lenton. Phone 0410 748 039 or email jlenton@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
- Hilton Sydney 2.07 MB
- ICC Sydney 2.16 MB