Sustainability
Adelaide, Australia's most sustainable business event destination.
GDS-Movement Recognition
Most Improved Destination for 2025
Recognised by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement, measuring destinations across 76 criteria in Environmental, Social, Supplier, and Destination Management categories. Adelaide ranked 54th globally (up 23 positions) with Environmental sustainability ranked 12th globally — highest among all Australian destinations.
54th
GDS Global Ranking (up 23)
12th
Environmental Ranking Globally
$2.5B
Annual Business Event Value
$632
Delegate Daily Spend
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Climate Change
- SA Climate Change Action Plan targets reducing net GHG emissions by more than 50%
- Net zero emissions by 2050
- 100% net renewable energy generation by 2027
- City of Adelaide — first SA council using 100% renewable electricity across all operations
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Zero Waste
- First Australian state to introduce beverage container deposits
- First to ban lightweight plastic bags
- Single-use plastics legislation — first of its kind in Australia (March 2021)
- Expanded bans on polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, clamshell containers
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Supplier Sustainability
- Adelaide Convention Centre — world's first convention centre to achieve EarthCheck Master certification (2023)
- 15+ years of sustainability best practice
- Leadership in minimizing waste to landfill, water consumption reduction, energy efficiency
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Social Sustainability
- Adelaide located on Kaurna land — traditional owners' heritage celebrated
- SA legislated First Nations Voice to Parliament first
- Residents from 200+ countries, 100+ faith systems
- Approximately 15% non-English speaking migrants
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Economic Sustainability
- Business events generate over $2.5 billion annually to SA
- 2021-2023: 392 events secured, 691,000 bed nights, $678M direct economic injection
- Delegate daily spend: $632 vs tourist daily spend: $179
- Predominantly Monday-Thursday off-peak bookings