The pilot program saw nine venues in New South Wales take part in the inaugural iteration of the sustainability program aimed at live music venues.
ICC Sydney, which hosts a healthy calendar of live entertainment events in its 9,000-capacity ICC Sydney Theatre and its Darling Harbour Theatre, scored four out of a possible five stars in the Green Venue Program.
“Green Music Australia is beyond thrilled to recognise ICC Sydney as one of the first certified sustainable venues in Australia,” said Green Music Australia CEO, Berish Bilander.
“Through our program, we have independently assessed how venues are navigating their own path to environmental sustainability.
“It has been truly exciting to see how venues like ICC Sydney are implementing policies to reduce their impact and build environmental responsibility across the sector.
“We look forward to expanding the program across New South Wales and recognising the wide range of venues already undertaking important action to care for Country.”
ICC Sydney has a variety of sustainability measures in place throughout its entire venue, not just in its live music spaces.
Through its precinct partners that make up Darling Harbour Live, the venue purchases 20 per cent of its energy via renewable sources, while another five per cent of the energy used within the building comes from a solar array on the roof of the convention centre.
ICC Sydney also has a range targets it is aiming to achieve by the end of this year, including 15 per cent decreases in carbon emissions and energy usage, based on 2019 levels, and diverting 75 per cent of its waste from landfill. Exceeding its 65 per cent target, the venue purchased 97 per cent of the food it serves from within the state last financial year and sources all of its wine from NSW.
The centre also participates in EarthCheck’s rigorous sustainability certification program, achieving silver certification in 2020 and aiming to reach gold certification by the end of 2026.
“We’re proud to be recognised as a certified Green Venue,” said ICC Sydney CEO, Adam Mather-Brown.
“Our mission is to make a difference and that includes delivering real environmental and social impact through the live entertainment events we host in ICC Sydney Theatre and Darling Harbour Theatre.
“Underscored by our passionate in-house team, this accreditation was made possible through their dedication to drive positive event legacies in partnership with our clients, communities and performers.”
ICC Sydney is also a signatory of the global Net Zero Carbon Events pledge and contributed financially to the initiative in 2024.
