The newly appointed sustainability expert at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre says every role is critical to best practice in the space.
Saffron Benner, previously the sustainable development goals manager at Griffith University and now sustainability and community engagement advisor at the BCEC, believes there is really no job – from cleaner to accountant to CEO – that isn’t impacted by, or important to, sustainability in some way.
One of her first tasks is to visit every department in the 172,000 square metre venue to meet with managers and staff members.
“Sustainability is relevant to every aspect of every organisation,” she said.
“I need to understand how the whole of an organisation functions as an ecosystem.”
Her appointment forms part of BCEC’s environmental future strategy and aligns with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ goal to be the most sustainable games in Olympic history.
BCEC general manager, Kym Guesdon, said Ms Benner’s role is tasked with aligning the centre’s strategic direction with the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), building on BCEC’s existing EarthCheck platinum accreditation which ensures the centre operates at the highest international environmental standards.
“BCEC’s aim is to integrate the goals across all operational practices, supporting our long-held commitment to working with our partners, the community and our staff to ensure our actions have positive social and environmental outcomes,” Ms Guesdon said.
“This is an imperative for us going forward.”
Ms Benner said a major priority for her at BCEC is the development of a sustainability strategy for the centre that sets both long and short-term social and environmental goals.
“It needs to be a strategy that provides a road map for the next five to 10 years to guide us and build on the strong body of work already carried out by the BCEC team in the environmental space.
“We’re very proud of the achievements we’ve already accomplished at BCEC, but the challenges we all face in the future are significant. Having a dedicated role for sustainability allows the venue to continue to have an impact, but also provides the support required to increase our ambitions through collaboration to make the differences we need.”
The centre was an early adopter of responsible sustainability practices, having been an inaugural member of Australia’s Greenhouse Challenge in 2001, with the general manager at that time and now CEO of BCEC, Bob O’Keeffe, declaring environmental integrity was fundamental to the daily operations of the venue.
Declaring war on food wastage in the kitchens by acquiring the centre’s first organic dehydrator, the early establishment of a staff led CSR program, rainwater harvesting and the introduction of community service days, are now firmly embedded in the BCEC’s cultural fabric.