The eyes of the entire world – let alone the events industry – were on the Scottish Event Campus ( SEC ) last November .
The SEC hosted 120 world leaders and more than 40,000 participants for COP26 , with millions of others following news coverage of crucial discussions and announcements from the climate conference .
It ’ s little surprise then that the Glasgow venue has been outspoken about its sustainability efforts , with it recently stating its ambition to achieve net zero status by 2030 .
“ While we ’ ve been on this journey for some time , serving as a proud host venue for COP26 has inspired the business to redouble its efforts and accelerate our journey towards net zero ,” says Dan Thurlow , director of exhibition sales , SEC .
“ The spirit of the event , particularly the focus on collective responsibility , has left a lasting impression on the SEC .”
The venue ’ s strategy to reach net zero centres around five goals : climate , governance , partnership , people and resource . Central to achieving the goal is the development of an energy strategy , with actions around water efficiency , green travel , supply chain engagement and waste management also being implemented .
The SEC , which consists of the SEC Centre , the OVO Hydro and the SEC Armadillo , is a founding partner of the NetZeroCarbon Events pledge . The global initiative , launched at COP26 , is a collaboration of some of industry ’ s biggest
COP26 inspires SEC to achieve net zero by 2030
EN ’ s Joe Gallop explores how the SEC aims to become net zero by 2030 , following its hosting of COP26 , to support Glasgow ’ s commitment across the city
players who have come together with the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 .
“ Internal and external industry wide collaboration is absolutely crucial and we ’ ve developed an extensive sustainability toolkit for exhibition organisers , which outlines steps both we and they can take to deliver our exhibitions more sustainably ,” says Thurlow .
“ This covers a broad range of topics , from planning stages through to promoting green travel options , exhibition construction materials , waste management and more .”
The SEC is also working towards A Greener Festival ’ s Greener Arena certification – an initiative aimed at helping events and venues reduce their impact on the environment .
The venue ’ s current sustainable measures include ensuring that 100 % of its electricity comes from renewable sources and its team is currently working with the Glasgow City Council and several consultants and organisations .
In the run-up to COP26 , the venue launched a sustainable food strategy in partnership with Levy UK with a minimum of 80 % of all ingredients sourced from Scotland and a commitment that all packaging used will be reusable or recyclable by 2023 .
For the past 15 years the venue has contributed to Trees for Life supporting the growth of 170,000 trees in the Caledonian Forest and in 2019 it hired an environment and waste manager .
“ More and more , we are finding our sustainability goals are aligned with those of our clients ,” says Thurlow .
“ For example in May we hosted All Energy , the 21st edition of the conference , and the sixth time it has taken place at the SEC . All Energy is a perfect example of an event with sustainability at its heart , and it is encouraging to see the steps they and others are taking to reduce their environmental impact .” EN
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