Written by Guy Bigwood.

Is sustainability all about doing more with less? Can a 5-star venue truly be sustainable? Traditional luxury hotels and venues have been defined by their lavish interior designs, opulent chandeliers and linen thread counts. It could be the unwilling compromise of getting pampered endlessly that caused certain disassociation between luxury and sustainability.

Ovation has witnessed that in a changing world luxury hotels and venues are doing more and more to contribute to sustainability in a number of ways, using quality local construction materials and the highest grade of organic foods to name a few examples. The impact is multiplied especially when education is a component and social benefit is weaved into a meeting or incentive programme.

As the importance of sustainability rises through business strategy priorities, there are ample examples of hotels and venues that think about sustainability before the first spade hits the foundation soil. For example, the soon-to-be-opened International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is the first Australian convention and exhibition facility registered with the US Green Building Council for the internationally recognised LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification. During construction, they have a target of 90 per cent material diversion of waste to landfill and they centre has announced back in March 2015 that they have already exceeded that target in the demolition phase.

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