STB’s latest initiatives, launched at IMEX Frankfurt earlier this month, are a legacy toolkit, a Singapore MICE industry carbon and waste baselining study and a plan for carbon neutral participation at international tradeshows.
“The initiatives will not only steer the MICE industry towards a more sustainable future, but also provide tangible ways in which event organisers and planners can make meaningful, lasting impact in Singapore,” said Yap Chin Siang, deputy chief executive of STB.
“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and uphold our ambition to be the World’s Best MICE City,” he added.
The legacy toolkit will help stakeholders to understand legacy impact and create their own version in their business events. Focus areas may be sectoral, economic, social or environmental.
Outlining a clear framework titled ‘FIRM’ – Frame the vision, Ideate initiatives, Realise action plans and Measure impact – the process fosters greater engagement among event organisers, venues, local communities and other stakeholders.
The carbon and waste study began in 2023, establishing an aggregated baseline of sustainability data points focusing on energy, water and waste. These metrics can be consistently measured and are aligned with the global net zero carbon events methodology.
For instance, tracking by the six purpose-built MICE venues in Singapore in 2023 found that the average venue-related carbon emissions per attendee was 14.13kg of CO2, with 94 per cent being from energy.
The aggregated data will enable STB and the MICE industry to track carbon emission baselines regularly and help to drive waste reduction and decarbonisation strategies.
The third initiative is to aim for carbon neutral participation at key international trade shows from 2024, starting with IMEX Frankfurt this month, then IMEX America and IBTM World later in the year.
In adopting international standard ISO 14068 on carbon neutrality, STB said it will prioritise emission reduction and removal over offsets, only offsetting residual emissions. The new ISO standard provides principles, requirements and guidance for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality.
“Singapore is one of the first destinations to hold itself to this standard, demonstrating its commitment to responsible decarbonisation,” said STB.
These latest initiatives follow the launch of a Sustainability Roadmap for Singapore’s MICE industry in 2022.
