NZICC to be region’s first carbon neutral venue

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland will be operating as a carbon neutral venue, said to be the only one of its kind in Asia-Pacific, when construction is complete come 2020.

The NZICC is part of a SkyCity Entertainment Group precinct which comprises three hotels, award-winning restaurants, the Sky Tower and the soon-to-open Weta Workshop and All Blacks Experience.

NZICC has reiterated its ethos in being carbon neutral

NZICC’s carbon neutral goal is achieved by a new internal carbon levy on all emissions, which will then be used to offset both the venue’s carbon footprint, and fund investments in green projects in the wider organisation to help further reduce emissions.

Callum Mallet, NZICC’s general manager said: “As the largest convention centre to be built in New Zealand and being positioned to be New Zealand’s meeting place for the world, we have a responsibility to embrace sustainable business practices and deliver an authentic experience showcasing our innovative business approach.”

He added: “The NZICC is committed, through construction and operations, to not only ensure we deliver the most favourable experience for delegates, and to lead the way in the protection of our environment, as climate change is recognised as one of the biggest risk facing the planet. We are also committed to meeting the needs and expectations of the global business events community.”

The NZICC has also adopted a sustainability management plan and will participate in globally-recognised, independent verification programmes, including the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The NZICC aims to achieve a certified status following the assessment of the sustainable nature by which the NZICC has been designed, built and delivered.

Through membership with the International Association of Convention Centres, NZICC aims to achieve and maintain a gold standard in the Quality Standards Programme, which identifies and independently evaluates 10 key areas of convention centre performance, including – customer service, quality of facilities and operations, employee relations, health, safety, security and emergency response, financial integrity, community relations, environmental responsibility, industry relations and supplier relations. A gold standard rating would illustrate the very highest level of performance by global standards.

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