Marina Bay Sands has achieved the world-class Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards for Venues Platinum certification, the highest rating possible, affirming the integrated resort (IR)’s commitment to sustainable events and operations.
The achievement comes after the IR became the first venue to be awarded Gold in 2020, and adds to the property’s strong list of sustainability credentials, such as the LEED Platinum Green Building Certification, ISO20121 Sustainable Events Management System Certification, and Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Platinum.
The standards, developed by more than 100 industry leading practitioners, places great emphasis on environmental and social responsibility. It assesses applicants based on industry-wide requirements, such as sustainable procurement policy and waste and water management, as well as sector-specific criteria, including employee training and communication, energy management, and the attainment of EIC’s Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC).
The achievement comes after the integrated resort became the first venue to be awarded Gold in 2020
Marina Bay Sands continues to be the highest rated venue outside the United States. The following sustainable efforts contributed to the decision to certify the venue’s Platinum rating:
- Improving a comprehensive waste management plan that resulted in the property achieving its highest-ever recycling rate of around 27 per cent in 2021, due to an increase in treated food waste and e-waste.
- The investments in energy saving initiatives, such as renewable energy from solar arrays across Singapore and LED lighting, helped reduce energy consumption by 14.6 per cent in 2021 compared to a 2019 baseline.
- Converting 98.5 per cent of its fleet of vehicles at the Convention Centre, such as Mobile Elevating Work Platform equipment, to electric.
- Fostering a culture of sustainability amongst employees, collectively clocking over 60,000 sustainable actions, such as participating in online training and community-driven events.
Amy Calvert, CEO of the Events Industry Council, said: “On behalf of the Events Industry Council I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Marina Bay Sands for achieving the Sustainable Event Standards for Venues Platinum certification. Sustainability is one of the most pressing issues for our global society. As an industry that has the ability to be a driver for meaningful change, we are delighted that organisations such as Marina Bay Sands are champions for action and are leading by example. These actions pave the way so that others understand the benefit from investing in this journey, leveraging the tools and resources such as the EIC Sustainable Event Standards and the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate to establish a baseline for their organisations in support of our industry’s vision for a regenerative and resilient future.”
A greener hospitality experience at Marina Bay Sands
Since the IR opened in 2010, sustainability continues to underpin the property’s operations. Guided by its global sustainability strategy, Sands ECO360, the property incorporates best practices, cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to reduce its overall environmental impact.
Sands Expo and Convention Centre is Singapore’s only carbon-neutral MICE venue, a result of its energy efficiency measures and investment in local Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon offsets. Event organisers can conduct meetings and conferences that are 100 per cent carbon neutral and at no additional cost.
Event organisers can also enhance their meeting experiences with the Impact Meeting Package that is designed to give them a range of sustainable options to reduce their overall environmental impact. The dedicated Sustainable Event Advisory Services provides sustainable advisory services to help organisers manage their resources across multiple touchpoints such as sustainable food and beverage, procurement and waste management. The team supported Singapore Maritime Week 2022 (4 – 8 April) to specially curate healthier bento boxes for delegates, using a higher volume of organic or responsibly and regionally sourced ingredients. A post-event sustainability report capturing the event’s sustainability highlights was also generated for their record.
By end-2022, the IR will be obtaining the internationally recognised hotel Global Sustainability Tourism Council certification, in line with the Singapore Hotel Sustainability Roadmap, to further cement its position as the most sustainable destination in Asia Pacific.