“What we've seen from our customers is an expectation that they're able to come to our venue and run their events as sustainably as possible, so it’s about being able to provide a venue that is workingtowards reducing its carbon emissions through efficiencies, and removing processes that generate unnecessary emissions and waste” Sustainability Manager Jacinta Caraballo says. 

“By focusing on sustainability outcomes, it allows us to promote Melbourne as a sustainable destination.”  

Chief Operating Officer Helen Fairclough says MCEC, as an iconic venue that brings more than $1 billion in economic impact to the Victorian economy each year, we have a responsibility to host events that bring people together to have important dialogue and stimulate thought leadership around issues of sustainability and social impact, “which really is important in itself”. 

But it also has a responsibility to consider its own carbon footprint, which is why it is a signatory to the net zero carbon events initiative, an international pledge for the events industry to tackle climate change, reduce emissions and move towards net-zero in the future.  

“We've made our own commitments in terms of our sustainability goals,” Jacinta says.  

“We're looking to  transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2028. 

“We're looking at how we can reduce our energy consumption and our carbon emissions in terms of running the venue, but also influencing the events that we bring to the venue as well. 

“At the moment we're working towards putting together a net-zero roadmap and, within that, looking at the feasibility to bring solar on-site and other options such as entering a second power purchase agreement to access additional renewable electricity off the grid.” 

Part of MCEC’s sustainability effort also involves minimising waste at the venue and during its events.  

That includes MCEC’s reusable cups program trials currently underway throughout the venue to replace disposable coffee cups: “That’s achieving great success and is very well received by our customer base as well,” Helen says. 

“We have a target to divert 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2025,” she adds. 

“To do that we have to work with our partners and our customers to not only reduce the amount of waste but also to recycle and reuse where possible. It takes the entire supply chain to ensure that we can meet our ambitious targets."

Other MCEC initiatives include supporting community partner, OzHarvest, through donation of quality excess food from events to vulnerable communities and with their Cooking for a Cause program for corporate groups to learn zero-waste cooking practices and to raise awareness about the impact of food waste. MCEC also supports Melbourne Skyfarm, transforming their 2000-square Siddeley Street carpark rooftop into an urban farm and environmental oasis and Yarra River Keepers, an organisation that supports and shares the many community voices along the Yarra River.

“We're working with partners, we're working with members of our customer base and our suppliers – it takes the entire ecosystem in order to ensure that we can make this shift,” Helen says. 

“It does need to be supported and it needs to involve customers, suppliers, partners, visitors, industry associations and the government all working together in this system to bring change.” 

Victorian Chamber advocacy

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched a series of videos endorsing our campaign to support businesses’ transition to a net-zero economy. Achieving a Net-Zero Economy: Roadmap for Victorian Businesses focuses on three core objectives: reducing energy prices, ensuring the reliable supply of energy, and supporting businesses transition to a net-zero economy.   

Net-Zero Roadmap

The Victorian Chamber has developed a comprehensive roadmap for how Victoria can achieve a net-zero economy. Our members in conjunction with ARUP have helped inform this vision, ensuring it is practical, achievable, and impactful. The roadmap includes 25 short, medium, and long-term recommendations to provide certainty, stability and prosperity for Victoria’s economy. Download the Net-Zero Roadmap