Convention Center in a 3-year joint project focused on the creation of concrete initiatives and tools for the meetings and events industry. These resources will contribute to better destinations, venues and sustainable tourism providers in the meetings industry.
The agreement aligns with ICCA's commitment to sustainability in the global meetings and events industry, and is the latest addition to ICCA's portfolio of progressive environmental initiatives, including the Global Destinations Sustainability Movement (GDS) and the of Net Zero Carbon Events Route.
After three years, new tools such as the new Meetings Industry Sustainable Tourism Certification will be available for use by other ICCA members within the events sector, allowing them to apply for this certification to show their commitment to sustainability and meetings and sustainable events.
“ICCA is excited to partner with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) as a sustainability partner,” said Senthil Gopinath, ICCA Executive Director. "One of our pillars as an organization is sustainability, and this initiative promises to advance this key issue on the global stage, as well as provide our members with more means to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility in the meetings and events space."
Additionally, ICCA will work with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and the Costa Rica Convention Center to develop a carbon offset calculator for use by the meetings industry, focused specifically on venues. This calculator will be available to ICCA members in the events sector to better understand the environmental impact of events and more easily set and achieve targets related to reducing carbon emissions.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) will offset carbon emissions from trips to Frankfurt of those attending the ICCA Plenary meeting at IMEX. Participants will receive a certificate indicating the carbon offset.
"We look forward to a dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership with ICCA as our Sustainability Partner," said Mr. William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica. "As a respected leader in the meetings and events community that shares our vision and mission for a more sustainable future, ICCA is the ideal organization to partner with as we work toward our goals of reducing carbon emissions and more sustainable meetings and events in everyone. ".
In the coming years, ICCA will appoint additional Sustainability Partners around the world who meet specific requirements, including active and well-defined environmental initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions; green infrastructure; water conservation; and sustainable accommodation, among other qualifications.
Source: ICCA.