CTICC's sustainability intiatives are internationally recognised

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Cape Town International Convention Centre

© Cape Town International Convention Centre

Cape Town International Convention Centre 's sustainability initiatives are well recognised by the global community. The centre has received numerous accolades, and achieved several notable milestones in environmental management.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) - together with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool - established the Global Green Alliance to encourage industry best practice for hosting sustainable events across the globe.

As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, it is also committed to the goals of aligning its operations and strategies with universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

It was the 1st convention centre in Africa to gain ISO 14000 certification, which sets the standard for world-class environmental management systems. CTICC was also the 2nd convention centre in the world to gain 3 management system certifications simultaneously. Its work processes have been certified to the internationally recognised systems standards ISO 9001 (Quality Assurance), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

CTICC sustainability intiatives are also realised through its Nurture Our World (NOW) programme that aims to achieve excellence in environmental responsibility in all facets of its business.

It encourages suppliers to align themselves with the CITCC's green objectives and has a set of criteria that suppliers are required to try and meet. Conference and events organisers are also offered criteria and guidelines that they can implement.

The range of 'green packages' the CTICC has developed allows clients to purchase 'green' power rather than conventional power; use water jugs instead of bottled water; use recycled notepads and pencils; and choose organic meal options.

Its information technology architecture is also environmentally friendly and has helped to reduce power consumption by up to 80%.

To reduce the centre's carbon footprint left by meetings and events, the CTICC launched the "My Tree in Africa" initiative that assists conference delegates to offset their carbon footprints from flights through purchasing trees. These are planted in disadvantaged communities in Cape Town where the CTICC also plants organic food gardens.