GCCEC has achieved Green Globe Certified Silver Status. CEI Asia speaks to GCCEC general manager Adrienne Readings about the process:

Why did GCCEC begin the Green Globe process?
We have a commitment to ensuring that the events industry is sustainable, coupled with heightened understanding of the devastating long-term affects of environmental degradation. This has reshaped the way in which the centre approaches our responsibility.

So even though the centre is not an eco-tourism experience, GCCEC is committed to three of the four features that define an eco-tourism operation: we are ecologically sustainable in our operations, we contribute to conservation and local communities, and we incorporate education about the natural environment into our guests’ experience. The centre was designed and established with eco-friendly practices in focus and is striving for continual improvements and excellence in environmental performance.

How did you get staff involved in the Green Globe process?
The centre’s environmental policy is driven by a volunteer committee of dedicated employees called the ‘Project Green Committee’. With the assistance of the environmental management group, Ecosure, the team worked together to implement an Environmental Management Plan that detailed risk assessment and made key changes for energy and water consumption, as well as waste strategies.

What were the main benefits?
After the efforts of staff, energy consumption was 38.2% better than Green Globe Best Practice level and water consumption was 53.1% better than the Green Globe Best Practice level. Light sensors have been installed throughout all storerooms and toilets and shower hoses have been retrofitted to reduce water flow from 25 litres per minute to just nine litres per minute.

In terms of lighting, installation of new external and stair tread LED lights have cut usage from 18W per unit to 3W per unit and all external lights have been replaced with bulbs that use 50% less energy.

GCCEC’s menus now consist of at least 50% locally grown and organic ingredients. Leftover packaged foods are donated to a local food bank.

What is next for GCCEC?
The ‘Project Green Committee’ are now working towards fresh initiatives to further reduce the centre’s carbon footprint. They are currently investigating carbon calculator options for in-house events. The centre also has its sights on achieving Green Globe Gold Status.