Singapore spearheads sustainable initiatives for impactful MICE

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched several initiatives aimed at raising sustainability standards and reinforcing Singapore's position as the 'World's Best MICE City'.

In a push towards a greener future for MICE events, STB introduced a Legacy Toolkit, a Singapore MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baselining Study, and an ambition for carbon neutral participation at major international tradeshows.

Yap Chin Siang, STB's deputy chief executive said: “We are pleased to share that the initiatives we unveil today will not only steer the MICE industry towards a more sustainable future, but also provide tangible ways in which event organisers and planners can make meaningful, lasting impact in Singapore. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and uphold our ambition to be the World’s Best MICE City.”

The Legacy Toolkit assists organisers in understanding legacy planning and co-creating impactful business events through a 'FIRM' framework - Framing vision, Ideating initiatives, Realising action plans, and Measuring impact.

The legacy planning process aims to foster greater engagement between event organisers, venues, local communities and stakeholders. This includes working with established community organisations and institutions that serve as local points of contact to provide support and resources, with Singapore’s National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre being a prime example.

STB's carbon and waste baselining study revealed the average MICE venue-related carbon emissions per attendee at 14.13 kgCO2, with 94% coming from energy use. The data aims to drive waste reduction and decarbonisation strategies.

Additionally, STB is pioneering carbon neutral participation at key tradeshows from 2024, including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America and IBTM World, adhering to ISO 14068 standards and prioritising emission reduction over offsets. This long-term goal underscores STB’s proactive approach to environmental stewardship, which aims to significantly reduce its own carbon footprint as an exhibitor at these platforms.

The initiatives, which complement the enhanced Singapore MICE Advantage Program (SMAP) rolled out in March 2024 with new partner privileges, also mark STB’s ongoing efforts to drive and maintain Singapore’s reputation for business events as the country rises to the second spot in the ICCA's 2023 rankings.