As the events industry increasingly demands the incorporation of sustainability criteria in organizational management, mainly with a focus on environmental issues, the Panama Convention Center (PCC) focuses on responsible waste management, reducing the carbon footprint and optimizing resources, such as energy.
“We are part of an industry that contributes significantly to the country’s economic development, but we are also aware that we generate tons of waste. That is why we decided to position ourselves as agents of change, implementing practices to reduce our environmental impact and promoting sustainable and inclusive environments for our teams, clients, partners and communities,” said Rodolfo Del Valle, General Manager of the Panama Convention Center.
On the one hand, and as part of its long-term vision, the Panama Convention Center has set itself the goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 25% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in all the events it hosts. In addition, the PCC stands out for being the first convention center in the country to have 6 chargers for
electric vehicles, thus promoting the adoption of sustainable mobility and the transition towards cleaner energy.
On the other hand, PCC collected and processed approximately 25,600 pounds of waste in 2023. In the first five months of 2024, nearly 10,507 pounds have already been managed, diverting a significant amount of waste from landfills. Also in 2024, it implemented a "zero plastic use" policy, completely eliminating
single-use plastics in its facilities and opting for biodegradable materials and sustainable packaging made from sugar cane.
To support this commitment, the centre has received the “Reduce Your Corporate Footprint” (RTH Corporativo) recognition seals, promoted by the Ministry of the Environment, by carrying out exhaustive measurements of all aspects that influence the carbon footprint. It will soon receive official recognition from the competent authority.
Since its inauguration, the Panama Convention Center has established itself as the epicenter of meeting tourism in the region, attracting thousands of national and international visitors each year. However, beyond being a host of high-level events, the center has distinguished itself by its commitment to the growth of various economic activities in its surroundings and environmental sustainability. This duality, between being a generator of progress for Panama and an active promoter of sustainable development, not only defines its identity, but its long-term determination to contribute to the sustained and equitable growth of the country.