MEETINGS 2023 has renewed its commitment to reducing the event’s greenhouse gas footprint and is working towards Toitū net carbon zero certification as a Certified Event Operation for its first event in Wellington.
“As the business events industry’s peak body, it is our role to lead the way in sustainability practices and make them core to everything we do,” said Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive Lisa Hopkins.
“Working with Toitū to achieve this certification means all emissions associated with the planning and operations of MEETINGS 2023 will be measured, audited in alignment with strict world-leading criteria, and then offset via quality assessed carbon credits.
“Not only will this show our exhibitors and buyers we are committed to reducing environmental impact, but also it will give us the platform to work towards continual reduction of carbon emissions for MEETINGS year-on-year.”
MEETINGS 2023 venue Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre holds a 5-Star Green Design certification from the New Zealand Green Building Council.
Other initiatives for MEETINGS 2023 include carbon-offsetting hosted buyers air travel with Air New Zealand’s FlyNeutral programme, reducing printed material, eliminating satchels, and partnering with local charities Kibosh Food Rescue, Gillies McIndoe Research and Wellington Zoo to make donations on behalf of every hosted buyer.
“We know our 200 plus Hosted Buyers, who come from far and wide across New Zealand and Australia, are the lifeblood of MEETINGS,” said Hopkins.
“We also know that getting here comes at a cost to the environment, so BEIA will be offsetting carbon emissions from all hosted buyer flights from Australia and around New Zealand.
“While we are passionate about reducing the environmental impact of MEETINGS, we can’t do it alone. We are encouraging our exhibitors and buyers to take whatever steps they can to help reduce their footprint too.
“We are also encouraging exhibitors to use sustainable, eco-friendly and biodegradable giveaway items, and arrange for plants used on stands to be donated or re-planted.”
