Javits Center 2023 Sustainability Report

GROWING FORWARD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE CEO

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Javits Center, I am pleased to share the progress of our sustainability program throughout 2022 and 2023. As we have done since beginning our journey, we constantly strive to manage our programs holistically while utilizing them as a marketable asset to support our primary goal of economic development.

Our green infrastructure programs at the Javits Center are running smoothly, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our teams. We are now increasing our focus on the sustainability programs of our event producers. It is encouraging to see the events industry embracing the importance of sustainability, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this positive change.

A primary goal is to minimize waste generated by events. We understand the significance of responsible waste management, and we are actively working with our customers to assist them in creating strategies to reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials they produce. Working closely together in the pre-planning phase of the event, we support event management in achieving their waste reduction goals. By working with our waste hauler and event vendors, we improve data collection and ensure transparency in the process.

We are also investigating further diversifying our energy mix to enhance the building’s resilience in the face of a changing climate. Our research and development efforts are currently focused on harnessing wind energy, contributing to a more sustainable energy future for our facility.

As part of our commitment to combating climate change, we are a proud signatory of the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge and were actively involved in its creation. Additionally, we are developing a comprehensive framework for venue waste management, aiming to set new industry standards.

In December 2023, we proudly published our Path to Net Zero, outlining our roadmap to reaching net zero emissions. We are currently working on our Climate Action Plan, which will serve as a comprehensive guide to further reduce our environmental footprint.

However, it is important to note that we are only at the beginning of this journey. There is still much to be done. Our ambition is to serve as innovative leaders in the events industry in the state of New York and New York City. We are committed to continuously pushing boundaries and exploring new avenues to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility while being a good neighbor to our community.

We look forward to updating you on our progress towards these goals and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

ALAN STEEL Chief Executive Officer

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

INTRODUCTION

Sustainability has emerged as a central priority for the events industry in the post-pandemic landscape, and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center serves as a leading example for venues in response to this demand.

The Javits Center’s sustainability initiatives have transformed our reputation internationally and have inspired robust employee engagement, furthering our commitment to sustainability within our business model. Our employees have a shared commitment to protecting people and our planet, and we understand that our environmental footprint directly impacts our community.

While we seek to lead in the industry, we continue to learn from our peers through coalitions new and old. We are a proud signatory of the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) Pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and we continue to participate in New York State’s GreenNY Council Working Groups. Our overall initiatives directly align with 9 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“The Javits Center’s sustainability initiatives have transformed our reputation internationally.“

Our sustainability journey began with the 2009-2014 renovations of the Javits Center’s South Building. Retrofits included investments in energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, installation of a 6.75-acre green roof, and the replacement of over 6,000 panels of glass with a new, bird-friendly alternative.

In 2021, we completed our expansion project, introducing 1.2 million square feet of state-of-the-art exhibition and meeting space and expanding our living laboratory across six city blocks. The Javits Center’s North Building contains a four-level truck marshaling building, a new array of high-tech waste compactors, and two underground cisterns for treating and recirculating rainwater, all nestled underneath a one-acre rooftop farm, greenhouse, and food forest. The expansion secured a LEED Gold certification for building design and construction, surpassing the South Building’s LEED Silver certification achieved from our 2009-2014 renovations.

Our journey continues as we tackle new and exciting initiatives. In late 2023, we published our plan to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050. The plan outlines our preliminary research and progress towards reporting our greenhouse gas emissions annually. Meanwhile, waste diversion has become a central focus of the event management process, and we are proud to say that our monthly diversion rate is steadily climbing as a result of dedicated stakeholder collaboration and strategic waste planning.

This report recaps the progress we have made as a facility and as a business, highlighting our achievements over the past two years. In 2024 and beyond, we expect to learn, grow, and adapt as the events industry continues to undergo a rapid and exciting transformation towards a sustainable future.

BY THE NUMBERS

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WHAT ARE THE SDGs?

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries — developed and developing — in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty through sustainable development must include strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth — all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.*

UNSDG s AT THE JAVITS CENTER

In 2021, the Javits Center signed the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) Pledge, an international, industry-wide initiative to address climate change by establishing commitments for waste management, energy conservation, local sourcing, and more. The NZCE pledge represents the event industry’s contribution to delivering on the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change. The Javits Center participated in the presentation of the pledge at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26 in November 2021. Many of the Javits Center’s clients, including show production companies and their general service providers, have also signed the NZCE pledge.

The NZCE initiative’s central aim is to provide the events industry with a path towards zero carbon emissions by 2050, using the 17 SDGs as a guiding light. The Javits Center’s mission and work helps us address 9 UN SDGs:

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. We promote sustainable agriculture through the production of hyperlocal fresh foods on our one-acre rooftop farm.

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

We invest in clean energy sources and relieve pressure from the city’s grid through our participation in NYPA’s Demand Response Program.

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. We manage our water sustainably through stormwater management infrastructure and circular irrigation systems.

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. We look beyond the walls of the Javits Center to reduce our environmental impact on the surrounding neighborhood and give back to our community in NYC.

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. We educate stakeholders on the environmental impact of the events industry and have set ambitious emissions targets.

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. The Javits Center works closely with our private and public partners across NYC to work towards our joint sustainability goals.

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. We have invested in sustainable infrastructure across our North and South Buildings, focusing on energy efficiency and biodiversity.

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. We pay close attention to the materials that enter and exit the Javits Center, designing ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste.

Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss. We protect local biodiversity and promote the importance of sustainably managed green spaces through our one-acre rooftop farm and 6.75-acre intensive green roof.

PATH TO NET ZERO

In 2021, the Javits Center was deeply involved in the development of the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge — a global industry effort to tackle climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve event sustainability. The Javits Center also participated in the presentation of the pledge at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, in November 2021. The Javits Center serves as a platinum level contributor to the international initiative.

The Javits Center’s journey to net zero carbon emissions gained serious momentum following our commitment to the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge in 2021 and Governor Hochul’s 2022 New York State Executive Order 22. The Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge states that all signatories must commit to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in line with the goal set by the Paris Agreement to reduce total global GHG emissions by 50% by 2030. NYS Executive Order 22 directs all affected entities, including New York State benefit corporations, to adopt a sustainability and decarbonization program under the guidance of the GreenNY Council. These two frameworks will guide us as we collect and report energy data, build sustainable procurement policies, and transition towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Javits Center’s journey to net zero carbon emissions gained serious momentum following our commitment to the NZCE Pledge in 2021.“

The Javits Center’s Path to Net Zero, published in 2023, is a preliminary plan outlining the steps The Javits Center will take towards Net Zero.

In 2024, the Javits Center will develop a Net Zero Carbon Roadmap completing the GHG baseline and inventory, evaluating and investing in decarbonization and GHG mitigation levers for Scopes 1 and 2, and engaging with partners and its value chain to reduce Scope 3 emissions. As an effort to reduce Scope 2 emissions, the Javits Center will complete the installation of 906.3 KW of solar panels and 3.5 MW of battery storage by the end of 2024.

ENERGY

Over the past two years, the Javits Center has focused on diversifying our energy portfolio, reducing our overall energy consumption, and participating in the Demand Response Program. Our 3.3-million square foot facility shares a power grid with Times Square, so it is important to minimize strain on our neighbors. With hotter summers on the horizon, the Javits Center’s energy strategy will enhance our resilience as a facility and allow us to continue serving the citizens of New York.

SOLAR

We completed the first phase of our solar canopy construction project in time for the NEST Climate Campus — the flagship event of Climate Week NYC — held at the Javits Center in 2022. New York State Governor Hochul stopped by for a press conference announcing updated state climate directives and commitments to renewable energy generation.

Our 3.3-million-square-foot campus is a major power consumer, which is why the New York Power Authority (NYPA) sought ways to offset the facility’s considerable electricity needs while advancing the clean energy goals of the state and city. To accomplish this, the Javits Center worked with Siemens on the 1.62 MW solar panels project to provide energy storage and software for managing the solar panels and microgrid.

• More than 2,014 solar panels on 34 canopy-style arrays

• 3.5 MW Battery Energy Storage System

• 906.3KW of solar renewable energy

The solar project exists as a back-to-back purchase power agreement (BBPPA). The first PPA is between Siemens and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the second is between NYPA and the Javits Center. Stipulated through the BBPPA, Siemens owns and operates the arrays and NYPA purchases the power from Siemens. As the Javits Center’s current electric utility provider, NYPA then sells the solar-produced to the Javits Center at a predetermined rate.

ENERGY SAVING MEASURES

The Javits Center continues to opt for energy saving measures whenever possible. Escalators only activate when events are open to attendees, and AC and heating only run in spaces during events. LED lighting fixtures across the North and South buildings are dimmed while events move in and out of the building. These measures, alongside the insulating power of the green roof, have reduced the building’s energy usage by 26%.

“Demand response is a critical part of the integrity of the broader New York City power grid.“

DEMAND RESPONSE

2023 marks the Javits Center’s tenth year participating in the Demand Response program with our energy consultants, NuEnergen. Demand Response is an energy reduction program designed to reduce the risk of blackouts during periods of high demand on the grid. Demand Response is a critical part of the integrity of the broader New York City power grid, which has amongst the highest demand for electricity anywhere in the world. The Demand Response program makes use of available power more efficiently, allowing the city to function without the continued financial and environmental costs associated with building more transmission lines and add hyphen: fossil-fuel-based generation plants.

The Javits Center is also one of the single largest contributors to electricity load reduction on days when there is a shortage of electricity supply. While thousands of buildings in the city participate in Demand Response, the Javits Center historically has been amongst the 10 largest in the entire city in terms of kWh that can be reduced at a single site. For example, in summer 2023, the Javits Center committed to a 7,000 kWh reduction, equivalent to the hourly consumption of approximately 5,600 homes. No other city in the United States has the same power constraints as NYC, which makes the Javits Center’s Demand Response program a critical part of the city’s sustainable future.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Javits Center’s 2009-2014 renovation included updates to our rooftop heating and cooling units, improved insulation throughout the building, and the introduction of bird-friendly glass, reducing collision-related bird deaths by over 90%. This was followed by the installation of a 6.75-acre green roof, the introduction of rooftop beehives, biodiversity research projects, and more.

In 2021, the Javits Center completed a historic 1.2 million-square-foot expansion project. The new building was certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council for responsible design and construction. More than 75% of the construction and demolition was diverted from landfills for reuse, and all materials for the build were chosen with sustainable characteristics, such as highly recyclable content, locally sourced (within 500 miles), and sustainably harvested wood.

TRUCK MARSHALING BUILDING

All convention centers must account for the trucks and freight handling activities of the events that use their space. The Javits Center’s new truck marshaling building can park up to 200 tractor trailers at a time. Previously, trucks would circle the building, idle outside the building, or drive all the way back to their locations of origin (often warehouses in New Jersey) before and after events. The truck marshaling building allows us to cut down on travel related emissions associated with events, improves local air quality, and reduces traffic on nearby streets. New software in the building has also improved logistics for the flow of trucks involved in event move-in and move-out.

“As the Javits Center’s leadership designed the new building, they sought to push the limits of what is possible for green spaces in urban areas.“

The truck marshaling building has also provided additional space for waste management storage and equipment. The new docks provide space for two new balers (one used for cardboard and the other for soft plastics), four additional compactors (three trash and one recycling), and storage areas for donations from events or other activities in the building.

GREEN ROOF

The Javits Center’s green roof is central to our sustainability story. New York Green Roofs continues to maintain the health and appearance of our 6.75-acres of sedum, a low-lying rock plant grown in upstate NY. This extensive green roof is a model for what is possible for existing buildings across urban areas, and boasts varied benefits:

• Increased habitat and wildlife biodiversity

• Stormwater mitigationn

• Reducing heat flux

• Increased energy efficiency and cost savings

BEES

The green roof now boasts nine beehives with up to 80,000 bees per hive. The bees collect nectar from the Farm and other locally planted foliage within a three- to five-mile radius, and in turn, keep the green areas pollinated and productive. Astor Apiaries, a Queens-based beekeeping company, performs regular hive inspections, monitors bee health, and leads honey harvests. In both 2022 and 2023, we responsibly harvested more than 250 pounds of honey, which was jarred and offered as part of our catering menu.

THE FARM AT THE JAVITS CENTER

As the Javits Center’s leadership designed the new building, they sought to push the limits of what is possible for green spaces in urban areas. Thus, the idea of a rooftop farm for on-site food production was born. The Farm at the Javits Center is a state-of-the-art rooftop farm operated by Brooklyn Grange, intended to engage the community in urban agriculture and build upon the Javits Center’s commitment to enhanced biodiversity. The one-acre Farm includes a field of rotating crops, a 3,750-square-foot, all-season greenhouse, and 10,000-square-foot Orchard planted with 36 apple and pear trees. Roof and site hardscapes have light-colored materials that comply with the Solar Reflectance Index to reduce urban heat-island effect.

“After produce is prepared in the wash/pack facility, it travels a total of 350 feet to its end destination: Cultivated’s kitchen.“

In 2022 and 2023, Brooklyn Grange instated the following core growing practices in alignment with the Javits Center’s commitments to ecological stewardship.

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No Tilling: We disturb the soil as little as possible to preserve the health of microbial ecosystems.

Consistent Planting: We leave the soil bare as little as possible so that soil biology is continually fed, and a baseline moisture level is retained.

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Increased Plant Diversity: The variety of 50+ vegetables and additionally planted perennials diversifies the beneficial exudates secreted at different soil strata and offers a greater variety of habitat and forage.

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Living Roots Kept in Soil: Cutting a crop at soil level maintains habitat for soil biology and leaves small channels in the earth for the passage of air, water, and nutrients.

2022 and 2023 were the farm’s first two full growing seasons. We achieved several milestones, including:

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Converted Orchard into a Food Forest: Over 70 native perennial flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees were added to the 32 apple and six pear trees to create the food forest. This added further biodiversity to the rooftop ecosystem while also providing a safe habitat for migratory birds.

Rainwater Recycling: Nearly all the drains in the expansion footprint funnel into two underground tanks with a collective capacity of 344,000 gallons. This also includes runoff from the green roofed area, which drain once the soil has reached its saturation capacity. These tanks, or cisterns, collect, filter, treat, and store rainwater for green roof and outdoor farm irrigation, reducing the need to use potable water by at least 50%. This system substantially increases the roof’s combined sewage overflow mitigation properties.

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Designed a State-Of-The-Art Wash/Pack Facility: After produce is prepared in the wash/pack facility, it travels a total of 350 feet to its end destination — Cultivated’s kitchen.

Set Up Five-Bay Compost System: Our five-bay compost system allows us to efficiently process field waste created on-site and quickly convert it into rich, organic matter for our soil.

Greenhouse Innovations: At the end of 2022, the hydroponic system was officially launched, marking the start of a year-round growing operation for Cultivated with a focus on head lettuce. In 2023, we successfully grew tomatoes and cucumbers in grow bags with trellising and drip irrigation.

NYS Grown and Certified Good Agricultural Practices: We became a NYS Grown and Certified operation, a recognition granted to local producers who adhere to high food safety standards and environmental stewardship. The Farm is also Good Agricultural Practices, or GAP, certified and its food safety practices are audited annually.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Javits Center has partnered with Cisco for our sustainable technology solutions since 2014. As part of the 2021 expansion of the Javits Center, the IT Solutions department implemented an infrastructure overhaul with Cisco. This included a refresh of the Javits Center’s digital networking technology, enhancing our data security posture, and the data center technologies, which service 675,000-square-feet of conference space and supports building management systems. The partnership ensures energyefficient and eco-friendly infrastructure throughout our local area network. We also installed better IT closet management, with alert systems for temperature anomalies or potential water leaks, protecting resources and preventing water waste.

“The partnership [with Cisco] ensures energy-efficient and eco-friendly infrastructure throughout our local area network.”

In 2022, we installed 80 Cisco Meraki cameras on all truck marshaling loading docks to help with efficiency, building a foundation for safety and security to reduce and optimize operational costs and prevent unnecessary truck idling.

RESEARCH

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

Through the years, Javits has collaborated with Drexel University for research support on our sustainability programs. In the past, Drexel has compared the benefits of our green roofs before, during, and after green roof-construction, and beginning in 2023, they have been expanding their reach into the rooftop Farm and Orchard.

Our partnership has provided research opportunities for multiple university researchers including postdocs, PhD students, MS students, and undergraduate students (both as independent study projects, and cooperative learning opportunities). These researchers have assisted in the installation of extensive, real-time monitoring systems that help us to understand the microclimate, energy balance, and water balance of the green roof. As a result, their work has resulted in five academic journal papers (three published, two under review) and many conference presentations.

Drexel researchers have proven the benefits of our green roof, both to the building itself and the surrounding neighborhood. Sedum acts as an insulating layer, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, decreasing our energy consumption significantly. Our green roof also has higher albedo (reflectivity) than surrounding concrete and asphalt surfaces, preventing heat absorption by the building and cooling the surrounding environment.

Additional research demonstrates stormwater management benefits. Urban landscapes are disproportionately comprised of non-porous material, meaning that heavy precipitation events can overwhelm the city’s storm drains and catch basins. Drexel studies found that our sedum green roof absorbs more than 75% of stormwater that falls on the green roof on an annual basis, thereby relieving pressure from the city’s stormwater capture infrastructure.

Drexel’s partnership has also raised local and international awareness of the Javits Center’s sustainability goals, with tangible impacts to the greater New York City landscape. Research completed by Drexel on the Javits Center green roof was used by NYCDEP in development of Local Law 92/94, which requires new buildings and roof replacements to install a green roof, solar panels, or a hybrid of both.

In 2023, Drexel University embarked on new monitoring projects reflecting the expansion of the Javits Center. Goals include formal documentation of the Javits Center’s water and carbon footprint (including virtual water footprint) and the role that the Orchard and Farm play in microclimate regulation. Research will inform future crop and Orchard planting plans and may result in policy recommendations regarding urban water management and heat risk management in NYC, particularly for rooftop green spaces.

“Drexel University’s work has resulted in five academic journal papers (three published, two under review) and many conference presentations.“

NYC AUDUBON

Introducing bird-friendly glass to the Javits Center during our 2009-2014 renovation marked the beginning of a long-term partnership with NYC Audubon. As a member of the Bird-Safe Buildings Alliance, the Javits Center worked alongside NYC Audubon to advocate for the passing of Local Law 15, the most comprehensive bird-friendly building legislation in the U.S. Since the 2014 renovation, NYC Audubon has been steadfast in studying the biodiversity services of our green roofs, particularly for the birds, bats, and insects that have made our roof their home.

Since our last report in 2021, NYC Audubon team has spotted 30 new species, mainly due to the new habitats in the Farm and food forest. Below you will find an up-to-date list of bird species that have been spotted in one of our various green spaces, with new birds highlighted in bold

American Crow

American Goldfinch

American Kestrel

American Robin

American Woodcock

Barn Swallow

Black-capped Chickadee

Blackpoll Warbler

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Jay

Black-and-white Warbler

Brown Creeper

Brown-headed Cowbird

Canada Goose

Cedar Waxwing

Chipping Sparrow

Common Grackle

Common Raven

Common Yellowthroat

Cooper’s

European

Fox Sparrow

Gray Catbird

Great Black-backed Gull

Hermit Thrush

Herring Gull

House Finch

House Sparrow

House Wren

Killdeer

Least Flycatcher

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Since 2014, NYC Audubon has been tracking the growing Herring Gull population and nests on our sedum roof. In the last several years, they’ve hired seasonal technicians to assist by discouraging the Herring Gulls from mating in areas with particularly sensitive equipment. Tactics for keeping the gulls in designated conservation zones have included cardboard cut-outs of coyotes, an inflatable air-tube dancer, and a remotecontrolled car with a stuffed-animal raccoon. Once a nest contains eggs, the technicians work to protect the eggs and birds from other rooftop activity

In addition to managing the conservation zone, NYC Audubon hosts several chick-banding events as part of an effort to gather data on Herring Gull migration patterns. Their research reveals that Javits Center-born gulls have been spotted as far west as Texas and as far south as Florida and Louisiana.

In 2022, for the first time in four years of banding chicks, the technicians spotted an adult gull that had been born at the Javits Center returning to our roof during nesting season!

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Over the past two years, the Javits Center has made considerable advances in our waste management program. Our progress continues due to enhanced cooperation between teams, clearer communication with event organizers through the creation of a pre-event survey, and infrastructure improvements. We are proud to report that in 2023, our average monthly diversion rate was 45%. Our teams are excited to continue pushing towards our next goal: 80% diversion by the end of 2025.

The Javits Center has 11 total streams, 10 of which can be diverted from landfill:

• Landfill

• Mixed recycling (aluminum, glass, plastic, paper)

• Organic waste

• Construction + demolition waste

• Cardboard

• Soft plastics

• Bulk metal

• Kitchen grease

• E-waste

• Food donation (part of JavitsCares)

• Furniture + household items (part of JavitsCares)

Updates to our back-of-house waste infrastructure have been key to collecting clean streams of recyclable material. In 2022 and 2023, we installed two balers which allow our teams to compress larger volumes of clean, recyclable materials, such as cardboard and soft plastic packaging. To keep our three mixed recycling compactors clean across the North and South buildings, we installed locked gates on each to ensure that the stream is properly handled by a select group of trained employees only.

Engaging and frequent trainings with our cleaning team were key in driving our waste management program forward. With many hands on the waste, the process of stream separation and handling can be confusing. Clear training materials and infographics in English, Spanish, and Albanian has allowed for a terrific team effort. Cleaning staff also have ample opportunities to provide feedback and help guide our standard operating procedures, as they are the boots on the ground.

CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

Working directly with our clients to support their diversion goals and developing waste management plans for events is paramount to increasing our own diversion rate. In 2023, we focused on building out a system for integrating waste management seamlessly into show planning.

Pre-event Sustainability Survey

We built a pre-event sustainability survey to gather information about each event’s sustainability goals, the materials they planned to bring into the building, and the materials they planned to leave behind.

Customized Waste Management Plans

After developing customized waste management plans alongside shows with specific waste diversion goals, we brought all relevant teams together to streamline communication and ensure that cleaning operations run smoothly. Upon request, the sustainability team can generate floorplans with waste bin locations and other infrastructure clearly marked.

Post-show Sustainability Reports

After an event leaves the building, we provide show organizers with an Event Sustainability Report. This report details the event’s overall waste diversion rate, with a breakdown of the weight diverted for each waste stream. The report also includes utility data: kilowatt hours of electricity, gallons of water, and therms of natural gas consumed throughout the duration of the event.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Digital Business Cards

In April 2023, Javits Center switched to digital business cards for all 200 administrative employees to eliminate the use of paper-based business cards. The digital business cards include one physical card which can be edited and reassigned to employees in case of any employee status updates. The employees also have a QR based digital card on their cellphones for quick contact information exchange. In 2023, paper business cards were completely eliminated for all first time employees.

Javits Center Branded Utensil Sets

In 2022, the sustainability team partnered with human resources and communications to purchase Javits Center-branded reusable utensil sets. Each set consists of stainless-steel silverware, chopsticks, and a metal straw. Over the past two years, we have distributed 130 sets to current administrative employees and new hires.

“Our teams are excited to continue pushing towards our next goal: 80% diversion by the end of 2025.“

FOOD & BEVERAGE

CULTIVATED, the Javits Center’s in-house catering and hospitality provider, is part of the Levy food service network. The Javits Center, Levy, and CULTIVATED are committed to reaching net-zero by 2050. Levy’s sustainability team, under the leadership of their parent company Compass Group, is actively supporting CULTIVATED and the Javits Center in meeting our collective climate and sustainability goals.

SUSTAINABLE SOURCING AND MENU CREATION

CULTIVATED prioritizes sustainable food sourcing practices, made abundantly possible with the support of produce grown on-site at the Javits Center’s Farm and from our on-site beehives. They draw from a database of local and hyperlocal New York State farms and purveyors to ensure that food products do not travel far, regardless of the season.

CULTIVATED also ensures that clients can choose from a wide range of protein sources, including plant-based meat alternatives that have a minimal carbon footprint compared to meat-heavy dishes.

CULTIVATED’s food procurement guidelines:

• Local produce and dairy products in support of American Family Farms

• Milk: 100% free of artificial growth hormones

• Seafood: 73% purchased from sustainable sources (Seafood Watch® Criteria)

• Yogurt: 98% free of artificial growth hormones

• Eggs: 93% certified humane, cage-free eggs

• Chicken: 95% produced without the routine use of human antibiotics

• Turkey: 100% produced without the routine use of human antibiotics

• Coffee: 100% fair trade certified

THE FARM AT THE JAVITS CENTER

Our Brooklyn Grange farmers work in close collaboration with CULTIVATED to determine a seasonal crop plan for guests of the convention center. Crops grown in the field include, but are not limited to: salad greens, herbs, root crops such as carrots, turnips, beets, and radishes, cauliflower, fennel, peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Chefs join the farmers on weekly walks of the Farm and coolers to review what has been freshly harvested and what is coming out of the ground in the upcoming weeks.

Some notable harvests from 2022 and 2023 included honey nut and kabocha squash and new colorful varieties of radish, sprucing up crudite and salads at events throughout the growing season. Our Javits Center honey has been included in housemade granola, honey lemonade, salad dressings, and more.

ELIMINATING PLASTICS

CULTIVATED is committed to doing their part to reduce single-use plastics across the business. The company works closely with the Javits Center to prioritize reusables whenever possible, by encouraging clients and customers to use our impressive set of in-house China, glassware, and silverware. We also continue to research and offer the most environmentally responsible options for disposables when they are necessary.

Single Use Materials Decelerator Collaboration

CULTIVATED is a proud member of the Single Use Materials Decelerator, or SUM’D, a collaboration of leading food service companies, environmental NGOs and technical experts. SUM’D has created an online scorecard that measures commonly used food ware and packaging materials and scores them based on key sustainability attributes.

CULTIVATED procures strawless lids to allow guests to sip their drinks without a straw.

CULTIVATED encourages the use of reusable water bottles by placing water coolers and refill stations throughout the building. They also provide unique alternative options such as infused water using produce and herbs grown onsite at the Farm at the Javits Center.

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Bio-Based Materials and Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics

CULTIVATED prioritizes post-consumer recycled plastics and bio-based materials such as cartons made from wood pulp or bamboo. They avoid “compostable PLA” or bio-based plastics because the Javits Center sends all food waste to an anaerobic digester in Brooklyn which can only accept pure organic material.

REDUCING FOOD WASTE

CULTIVATED continues to follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s best practices when it comes to food waste reduction, creative reuse, and responsible disposal.

Levy’s parent company, Compass Group, has been at the forefront of food waste reduction since 2015. They are members of the United States Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions and support the U.S. Food Loss and Waste Action Plan.

Waste Not 2.0

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CULTIVATED adopted Waste Not 2.0 in Javits Center kitchens in 2023. Built by chefs for chefs, Waste Not 2.0 is Levy’s proprietary waste-tracking program, designed to change behavior with real-time tracking and reporting. Waste Not 2.0 sheds light on food waste reduction opportunities, which can minimize carbon emissions and result in savings.

Skip The Straw

Water Coolers

Total Food Utilization

CULTIVATED practices total food utilization practices, or common techniques like pickling, pureeing, and freezing food to extend the product’s useful life. In 2022, CULTIVATED began pickling excess produce from the Farm to highlight the Javits Center’s sustainability story. The first year included cucumbers, radishes, banana peppers, and carrots. In 2023, we added pickled ginger to the mix.

Greasing Recycling

CULTIVATED continues to run a productive grease recycling program, which filters fryer oil to maximize usage and streamlines the changeover of spent oil with the new oil. The spent oil then goes on to a second life as biofuel. With the help of our grease recycling partner, RTI, more than six tons of fryer oil were recycled into biofuel in 2022 and 2023.

Food Rescue

CULTIVATED ensures that perishable produce, leftover food, bulk items, and excess prepared food are rescued and donated to local community partners. In 2022 and 2023 combined, almost 18 tons of food were rescued from the Cultivated kitchens.

Food Waste to Energy

If the prepared food cannot be saved through total food utilization practices or donation, CULTIVATED ensures that it is collected for proper disposal off-site. Sorted organic waste is diverted to the CORe Newtown Creek Co-Digestion facility in Brooklyn. The co-digestion project allows food waste to be used to create energy for the local community.

“CULTIVATED practices total food utilization practices, or common techniques like pickling, pureeing, and freezing food to extend the product’s useful life.“

COMMUNITY

“The Javits Center donates every single item left behind in good condition and distributes them to families across NYC’s five boroughs.“

BUILDING TOURS

In spring of 2022, the Javits Center launched our first formalized season of public tours, with three part-time ambassadors leading tours and an online sign-up link with tour dates regularly updated. The tour season runs for the duration of the Farm’s growing season, from April to November.

2022 AND 2023

• 2,751 total standard tour participants

• 160 Lunch & Learn participants

For the 2023 tour season, we expanded our offerings to include a farm-to-table experience called “Lunch & Learn.” This program is available to members of the public through our website for the duration of our growing season. Clients and potential clients may choose to book a private Lunch & Learn for their executives or event planners.

JAVITSCARES DONATIONS

We continue encouraging event organizers and exhibitors to rent furniture or purchase furniture for annual reuse. However, purchasing furniture for single-use at large trade shows is still an industry norm. The Javits Center donates every single item left behind in good condition and distributes them to families across NYC’s five boroughs.

In 2023, we significantly improved the efficiency of our donation program and the precision of our donation data. With the help our new upcycling hauler, Raeri, we can pick up leftover items from a show within a week, if needed. All items are tagged to events, and event organizers receive the precise weight of items left behind by their exhibitors which are then given a second home.

In 2022 and 2023, we donated more than 127 tons of furniture and household items to a variety of organizations, including NYCHA, MFTA, Big Reuse, 9 Million Reasons, and the Toy Foundation.

PROTECTING LOCAL WILDLIFE

The Javits Center is a seasonal home or migratory stopover habitat for over 65 bird species. While our bird-friendly glass has decreased bird collisions drastically, the occasional bird collision is inevitable. Our Bird Rescue SOP informs employees on the clear steps to follow to save an injured bird. Thanks to the NYC Wild Bird Fund and NYC Audubon’s Injured Bird Volunteer hotline, we have rescued dozens of injured birds over the past few years.

HUMANE APPROACH TO RODENT CONTROL

The Javits Center has been successful in reducing rodents from the docks by using feral cats to deter rodents from entering the building. Specific SOPs have been created to ensure success of this project via collaboration between multiple teams at the Javits Center.

VOLUNTEERING OFF-SITE

We love to give back to our trusted partner organizations through volunteer work. In 2022 and 2023, admin employees and interns have volunteered at the following locations across NYC:

• Book inventory at the Housing Works Bookstore

• Donation organization at the Materials for the Arts Warehouse

• Meal preparation at the ReThink Food kitchens

JAVITS TEAM

The Javits Center’s sustainability initiatives are only as strong as our employee’s enthusiasm and involvement. We like to engage our staff through environmental education and expose teams to our various programs to ensure that the Javits Center’s ethos of sustainability grows from within.

THE SUSTAINABILITY SCOOP

The sustainability team publishes a quarterly newsletter, titled “The Sustainability Scoop,” to highlight milestones related to the Farm, waste management, biodiversity research, and innovation at events. The newsletters thank employees who have shown exceptional support for sustainability initiatives. It also offer opportunities for staff to provide feedback and suggestions.

EMPLOYEE EDUCATION

Opportunities to educate staff on environmental issues are abundant at the Javits Center.

• • At our annual summer BBQ for staff, a “trash-ketball” game tested employee’s knowledge of how to properly sort their waste into trash, recycling, and compost bins.

On the bulletin boards outside of our staff cafeteria, posters illustrate 12 actions individuals can take for a healthy planet, as listed by the United Nations’ UN Act Now Campaign.

• Javits Center employees were invited to attend the 2023 NEST Climate Campus, the official event partner of Climate Week NYC, where they could learn more about the Javits Center’s sustainability partners by interacting with a touchscreen kiosk.

SUSTAINABLE UMBRELLA HOLIDAY GIFT

In 2023, the Javits Center gifted every single employee an umbrella manufactured from recycled bottles with a Forest Stewardship Council certified wooden handle.

STAFF VOLUNTEERING AT THE JAVITS CENTER

Prioritizing sustainability at the Javits Center requires collaboration between employees of all departments. Fortunately, many of our employees are excited by our sustainability programs and volunteer onsite when extra help is needed. The sustainability team offers employees the opportunity to get their hands dirty, whether it be harvesting on the Farm, banding Herring Gull chicks on the roof, preparing pickle jars for guest and partners, or harvesting honey from our bee hives.

LOOKING AHEAD

WIND

The Javits Center is exploring the use of wind energy technology with bird-friendly vertical wind turbines to further the resiliency of the building and provide a second source of renewable energy. The project is currently in the R&D phase.

WATER

In October 2024, New York City plans to require that the district use alternative water supplies for approximately eight months due to the city’s construction work on the Delaware Aqueducts. This means that water with different contaminates will be sent to the building and cooling tower. We calculated the current program based on the current water. With this advance notice, the Javits Center was able to recalculate so we continue to be as efficient as possible with our water usage. Program changes will save the Javits Center up to 20% of their water usage over a nine month period. Making this change day one will save the Javits Center an estimated 26% of water usage and 64% of water to sewer over the time period. That’s up to 4.5 million gallons saved!

SCRUBBERS ON GENERATORS

The Javits Center is exploring options to install scrubbers on all on-site generators to reduce associated emissions.

PROCUREMENT

The Javits Center has already made sustainability an integral part of the procurement process which ensures that vendors have sustainable practices in their operations. The Javits Center is also planning to use sustainability elements for scoring all RFPs.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

In 2024, we look forward to increasing our waste diversion rates through infrastructure improvements and close collaboration with event producers. We expect increased diversion of our mixed recycling stream as a result of newly purchased, color-coded waste bin surrounds labelled with clear signage.

At the beginning of 2024, we are rolling out a refined communications strategy for event planning so that we can address the waste management goals of every show. We are hopeful that these improvements, alongside a standardization of our back-of-house waste processes, will bring us closer to our facility-wide diversion goals.

EVENTS

Building upon the sustainable event guide, the Javits Center will continue to work to establish best practices for sustainable events and encourage participation in the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge for all organizers, service providers, and exhibitors. We look forward to hosting the following sustainability-related events in 2024:

• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Symposium

• Green Media Summit

• The Climate Reality Project’s Leadership Corps Training

• GreenBiz’ GreenFin

• Plant Based World Expo

• The NEST Climate Campus – Official Partner of Climate Week NYC

We look forward to working alongside the following upcoming events to help them reach their ambitious sustainability goals:

• NRF: The Big Show

• L’Oreal BeautyV3rse

• Salesforce World Tour

• Robin Hood Dinner Dance

• The Armory Show

• And more!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

GLOSSARY

Net Zero

A target of completely negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by an organization, to be achieved by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Carbon Neutral

An organization offsets the same amount of carbon dioxide it emits into the atmosphere through investment in projects that work towards renewable energy, low-emissions transport, or other carbon reduction efforts.

Waste Diversion

Minimizing the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill through source reduction, recycling, reuse, composting, or waste-to-energy programs.

Landfill

A place to dispose of refuse or other waste material by burying it and potentially covering it over with soil as a method of filling in or extending usable land.

Recycling

The action or process of converting used materials into reusable materials. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the properties it had in its original state.

Composting

A mixture of decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer and to improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Green Roof

A roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane.

Killowatt Hours

A measure of electricity defined as a unit of work or energy, measured as one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended over one hour.

Therms

A unit of heat equivalent to 100,0900 Btu or 1.055 x 102 joules.

UN SDGs

The United Nation’s 17 universal calls to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

SeaFood Watch Criteria

A global leader in the sustainable seafood movement. Their science-based seafood recommendations are used by businesses, chefs, and consumers.