Your partner in sustainable eventing

The CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) has been implementing various ‘greening’ initiatives for more than 15 years and is flexible and supportive of clients wanting to ensure their conferences and events have a minimal impact on the environment, shares Refilwe Nchebisang, acting marketing manager.

These efforts have been recognised with Silver Classification certification by the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme, a National Tourism Lilizela Award for Best Single Resource Management Programme in Waste, and inclusion as a best practice case study in the Gauteng Green Events Guidelines handbook.

Refilwe explains, “As one of the leading conference venues in the country, the CSIR ICC also understands its responsibility to proactively promote resource efficiency and sustainability in its operations for the benefit of the communities in which it operates.”

The impetus to be more sustainable is supported by the ICC’s mother organisation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which has stringent policies in place to comply with safety, health and environment programmes. The centre is also regularly audited on these aspects by external auditors. Below are some examples of what the CSIR ICC is doing to be more sustainable.

Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge

The venue has become a signatory to the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge, and agrees to:

• publish the organisation’s pathway to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest, with an interim target, in line with the Paris Agreement’s requirement, to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030

• collaborate with partners, suppliers and customers to drive change across the value chain

• measure and track Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions according to industry best practice

• report on progress at least every two years.

Waste Management And Recycling

The separation of waste at source with a twin-bin system in the CSIR ICC’s venues and kitchens improves the centre’s recycling volumes and increases awareness of the amount and types of waste being generated.

Energy Demand Management

The CSIR ICC’s building management system (BMS) controls the use of heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) in the building. The BMS is scheduled to instruct the HVAC systems to operate only when venues are in use to minimise energy use. This intelligent scheduling results in tremendous electricity savings, contributing toward the ICC’s net zero goals.

Economic And Social Responsibility

The CSIR ICC has been contributing to capacity pipeline development by annually appointing inservice trainees who are studying towards relevant, industry-related qualifications, many of whom have been subsequently employed.

The centre also collaborates with partners, suppliers and customers to drive change across the value chain. For instance, the CSIR ICC collaborated with a local company MicGalaw – which upcycles discarded plastic into bags, chair covers and other accessories – thereby contributing to social development and reducing pollution.

The donation of surplus food and goods to local charities is another practice the CSIR ICC had adopted.

Water Management

The CSIR ICC is in the process of implementing sustainable water management measures by installing low-flow water restrictors that are expected to save 90% of water usage. For more information, visit www.csiricc.co.za.