Making Sydney a more sustainable tourist destination

More than 30 leading hotels, event centres, museums and tourism bodies have joined forces with the City of Sydney to make the city a more globally recognised and sustainable destination for business and holidays.

Sydney is home to 20,000 hotel rooms, 5500 serviced apartments and more than 7000 backpacker hostel beds. In 2015–16 the accommodation and entertainment sector was responsible for 21% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions and 14% of drinking water consumption.

The Sustainable Destination Partnership will identify ways for businesses to become greener, bringing together the largest hotels in the city; the leading national backpacker hostels provider; government-owned cultural institutions; and international entertainment and event brands. Participants will work together on a range of projects that will see an increase in the use of energy from renewable sources, less waste diverted to landfill and a reduction in the use of drinking water.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the program is the next step in engaging with industry to meet the City’s ambitious carbon reduction targets, saying it is “critical” that the City works with its industry partners to improve their environmental performance.

“The accommodation and entertainment sector generates 47% of all commercial waste in our city, with only half of this recycled — and as Australia’s largest accommodation market it is up to Sydney to be a national leader when it comes to creating sustainable destinations,” said Moore.

“By working collaboratively with the key players in this sector, we can reduce carbon pollution, boost the use of renewable energy and put Sydney on the map as a sustainable destination for leisure and business travellers.”

The program has the backing of Tourism Accommodation Australia, with CEO Carol Giuseppi saying, “As a 24/7 industry, the accommodation sector has a significant environmental impact through energy and water consumption. We recognise a focus on environmental sustainability is vital for us all.

“We congratulate the City on this initiative to increase our awareness of waste and energy issues and set real goals for the industry that will help us achieve economic as well as environmental savings.”