Sustainability roundup: Osaka, Singapore Expo, WTTC

MICE stakeholders across Asia are stepping up measures to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable event practices.

There's a growing trend of sustainability in the MICE sector across APAC.
There's a growing trend of sustainability in the MICE sector across APAC. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/robert

The push to go green is picking up across Asia Pacific's MICE sector as a growing number of industry stakeholders, from DMOs to exhibition venues, are implementing measures to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices.

Osaka gets up to sustainable event standards

The MICE Promotion Department of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) has achieved ISO 20121 (event sustainability management system - ESMS) certification from BSI Group Japan, the Japanese arm of the British Standards Institution.

The standard, an internationally recognised one for best practice event sustainability, is aimed at helping organisations improve sustainability throughout the entire event management cycle. These management standards were first put to the test at the 2012 London Olympics.

Taking on a leadership role for MICE events held in the destination, the OCTB aims to promote the MICE industry and foster momentum for Expo 2025 Osaka, seen as a crucial benchmark in measuring progress towards achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The ESMS at the OCTB has been run with unique initiatives, contributing to sustainable event management.

OCTB is Japan's first tourism body to receive ISO 20121 event sustainability management system certification.
OCTB is Japan's first tourism body to receive ISO 20121 event sustainability management system certification.

Singapore Expo advances clean energy efforts

Singapore Expo has announced plans to further its net-zero ambitions with the largest single-site solar rooftop installation in Singapore, consisting of 17,000 photovoltaic panels. The venue is also developing the largest electric vehicle charging hub in the eastern part of Singapore. The move supports Singapore's vision to become Asia Pacific's leading sustainable MICE destination by 2030.

Singapore Expo will soon boast the largest single-site solar rooftop installation in Singapore.
Singapore Expo will soon boast the largest single-site solar rooftop installation in Singapore.

WTTC's Hotel Sustainability Basics verification scheme

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched the Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) verification scheme, enabling tourist accommodation providers worldwide to begin their sustainability journey. The Basics are 12 coordinated basic actions that hotels should implement at the beginning of their sustainability journey. Six hotel operators, including Accor and Radisson Group, have joined Basics as inaugural partners.