Sands China and MFTA signed a MOU at Global Exhibitions Day 2022.
Sands China and the Macau Fair & Trade Association (MFTA) have entered into an MOU on Global Exhibitions Day 2022 on 1 June, marking both companies’ commitment at promoting and strengthening sustainability in Macao’s MICE industry.
The joint commitment with Sands China will “help build a green Macao with a low carbon footprint”, said Tony Lam, president of MFTA. Macau's burgeoning MICE industry, fuelled by the launch of Cotai Expo in 2007, had contributed to an increase of waste and carbon emissions. As a result of this, MFTA has been advocating for green practices to be integrated into exhibition activities throughout the years.
Sands China, as a major events and exhibitions venue provider, also believes that it has a fundamental role in effecting positive change on environmental issues in the MICE sector and support Macau government’s target of net zero emissions.
“We are working hand-in-hand with each other to seek a carbon neutral exhibition venue through a series of green principles and measures,” said Sands China president Wilfred Wong.
Under the signed Green Development and Carbon Neutrality MOU, Sands China and MFTA will combine efforts on meeting sustainability aims to promote green development, carbon neutrality and maintain alignment with the Environment Protection Planning of Macao.
Together, Sands China and MFTA will promote the upcoming 2022 Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF), which takes place on 18 to 20 August, as Macau’s first carbon neutral exhibition at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.
Both parties will also jointly develop training programmes for the industry on the topic of sustainability, educating staff on the whys and hows of reducing energy consumption, lessening waste of single-use equipment, and offsetting carbon footprint when operating events in Macao.
Sands China will execute upcoming MICE activities in accordance to the Green Meetings principles of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability strategy, which is largely derived from the United Nations sustainable goals.
In 2018, with the use of sustainability initiatives, the company saw a 32% decrease in emissions. It targets to hit an addition 17.5% from its 2018 baseline by 2025, and to reach net zero emissions by 2050.