Carbon neutral events

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Since 2018, our portfolio has grown to include Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Music Week and Melbourne Knowledge Week and we are committed to continue making these events carbon neutral and growing our portfolio of carbon neutral events into the future.

The Climate Active certification means we measure emissions from these events, reduce emission-intensive activities as much as possible and invest in emission reducing projects (carbon offsets).

Each year, our offsets support a range of positive environmental and social outcomes in local and international communities.

Melbourne Fashion Week

Melbourne Fashion Week was the first fashion festival certified carbon neutral by the Australian Government in 2018.

We are continually improving our operations to reduce our carbon footprint through a range of actions, including; using 100 per cent renewable energy for Melbourne Town Hall and its forecourt, limiting the use of generators, reusing catwalk and set pieces, reducing the amount of red meat in catering, improving waste recovery, promoting public transport use for guests and reducing single use items.

Melbourne Music Week

Melbourne Mu​sic Week was the first music festival certified carbon neutral by the Australian Government in 2018.

In 2019 the Melbourne Music Week hub was powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and diverted 87 per cent of waste from landfill through the introduction of a reusable cup scheme. Other actions that will continue to be encouraged into the future include; more digital advertising, paperless ticketing, encouraging venues to purchase renewable energy, encouraging guests to walk, ride or tram (because Melbourne trams are powered by renewable energy) to the event, instead of driving.

Melbourne Knowledge Week

Building on our event portfolio, we also certified Melbourne Knowledge WeekOpens in new tab in 2019. As part of our emission reduction efforts, we reduced red meat in catering, limited the use of generators and increased renewable energy use. Melbourne Knowledge Week was also held in a centrally located venue with multiple public transport options to assist patrons in choosing less emission-intensive travel.

Where do emissions come from during events?

The emissions we’re measuring from these events come from energy consumption, waste, patron transport, performer/staff flights and accommodation, food and beverage consumption, new construction, marketing and publication materials. Read more in our public disclosure summaries.

Public disclosure summaries

Public disclosure summaries (PDS) are reports which detail all of the emissions associated with our events. In accordance with the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for Events, we produce a pre-event PDS, which estimates the events emissions and offsets them in advance of the event taking place. Then we capture actual data from the event, check against our pre-event carbon accounts, undertake an external assurance process and reconcile any differences to produce a post-event PDS. All PDS are available for download below.

More information

• Sustainable event guide
• Carbon Neutral Operations
• Emissions Reduction Plan
• Climate Change Mitigation Strategy 2050 (PDF 8.1 MB)Opens in new tab