Setting the Gold Standard: 5 Tips for Sustainable Events in Singapore

Every event is an opportunity to innovate and inspire while leaving gentler environmental impact. This is especially true in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, where sustainability is gaining traction among organizations with the growing emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and commitment to net-zero targets. According to Amex GBT’s 2025 Meeting & Events Forecast, more APAC respondents find sustainability important when planning meetings and events than any other region.

As APAC embraces sustainability, Singapore stands at the forefront of this shift, exemplifying how greener and more environmentally friendly events can be thoughtfully planned and executed. The GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference, organized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) on Sentosa Island from November 13-16, 2024, brought together 500 delegates from 55 countries to exchange insights and advance sustainable tourism practices.

Hosting this event for the first time, Singapore not only showcased best practices in sustainable event planning but also highlighted its role as a destination that empowered MICE organizers to create events and meetings that make a difference.

1. Choose venues with green certifications and eco-conscious suppliers.

The foundation of a sustainable event lies in selecting destinations and venues that align with the event organizer’s environmental goals. Singapore offers not only world-class infrastructure and excellent air connectivity, but also a commitment to sustainable tourism practices through its policies and standards.

Key initiatives by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and industry partners set out clear targets and strategies to elevate sustainability standards across the respective industries. These include the MICE Sustainability Roadmap, developed in partnership with the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organizers & Suppliers (SACEOS) and the Hotel Sustainability Roadmap, launched in collaboration with the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA).
With these industry-specific sustainability roadmaps in place, Singapore has been making good progress on its sustainability goals and recently emerged as the top Asia Pacific destination and the seventh globally on the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-I) 2024 rankings. 

“Picking Singapore to host the GSTC2024 was an easy decision. The destination is wholly committed to sustainability and has strong partnerships to push industry standards,” said Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC. "Singapore’s methodical approach to sustainability, from urban greenery to its partnerships with organizations like the GSTC, makes it a shining star in the MICE industry.”

Event planners should look out for sustainable venues with green certifications. GSTC2024 was held at Equarius Hotel, which is certified under GSTC’s Industry Criteria for Hotels and awarded the Green Mark Platinum certification by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), home to Equarius Hotel, is the first destination in the world to be certified against both GSTC Destination Criteria and GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels. It has also rolled out an Eco Events Package to minimize the environmental impact of events. "We collaborate with event organizers to integrate sustainability into every facet of planning, from energy-efficient venues to circular waste management and locally sourced dining options,” said RWS President Lee Shi Ruh.

2. Choose sustainable dining.

Food and beverage choices play a significant role in event sustainability, as responsible sourcing and green dining initiatives can help curtail carbon emissions. For GSTC2024, more than 500 delegates enjoyed meals hosted by venues including RWS, One°15 Marina, and Village Hotel Sentosa. These venues are part of the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network, a collaborative alliance comprising 32 hotels, attractions and F&B outlets across the island committed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

All these venues implemented sustainable catering practices like banning single-use plastics and sourcing ingredients locally. Menus featured vegetarian and vegan options to reduce the carbon footprint of catering. Innovative touches incorporated upcycled orange peels in menus, while fresh plant clippings retrieved during the maintenance of the island’s greenery were used as floral displays at the conference. RWS also has a food waste-to-energy system in place to transform food waste into biogas.

Kaori Pereyra-Lago, head of strategic meetings management at American Express Global Business Travel, highlighted the significant environmental impact of greener catering, noting: “It’s also important to recognize that food waste impacts greenhouse gas emissions greater than air travel globally. Part of this is due to cultural challenges where excessive food provision is considered normal and acceptable. We need to work together to reduce that significantly.” She also added that “local food can easily be plant-based and very tasty, offering delegates a sustainable yet authentic culinary experience.”

3. Encourage eco-friendly transportation options.

Travel is a major contributor to an event’s carbon footprint, and mitigating this impact requires thoughtful sustainable transportation strategies. Eric Ricaurte, founder of Greenview, an international consultancy specializing in tourism and hospitality sustainability, stated: "If the event requires air travel, that’s the largest source of emissions. Once at the destination, the footprint can be mitigated through energy-efficient accommodations and public transport.”

At GSTC2024, attendees traveled between venues using a mix of electric and hybrid buses, electric trams, electric monorails and walkable green trails on Sentosa. Singapore’s compact size and excellent public transport system further facilitated environmentally friendly travel options for participants.

To encourage the use of sustainable local transport options, event planners can tap STB’s Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP) that offer qualified MICE groups discounted EZ-Link transport cards and SimplyGo e-vouchers.

4. Transform events into living classrooms for sustainability.

Engagement is key to creating sustainable events, as it transforms attendees from passive participants to active contributors to sustainability goals. GSTC2024 featured interactive workshops, panels and sustainability-themed tours, offering delegates hands-on insights into Singapore’s green initiatives, while providing a platform for delegates to exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions and explore best practices in sustainable tourism.

Sentosa’s sustainability tours included a behind-the-scenes look at RWS’ energy and waste management practices and a coral conservation program at Singapore’s Southern Islands. "Our ridge-to-reef biodiversity, repurposed heritage buildings and green transport options make Sentosa an ideal venue for sustainable MICE activities,” said Lee Cheh Hsien, assistant chief executive at Sentosa Development Corporation. "The island itself became a living classroom, bringing sustainability principles to life.”

Beyond Sentosa, GSTC2024 attendees also visited local attractions such as Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Reserve, exploring biodiversity conservation in urban settings. These initiatives not only showcased Singapore’s innovative approach to sustainability but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility.

5. Measure and offset carbon emissions.

Accountability is essential for sustainable events, something which GSTC2024 exemplified by partnering with EU-based environmental service firm Green Evolution to measure emissions from travel and activities, ensuring they were fully offset.

The conference also had an initiative enabling attendees the opportunity to calculate and offset their flight emissions. Participants who took part in this initiative received pre-loaded EZ-Link transportation cards, encouraging the use of Singapore’s public transport system.

Additionally, RWS generated detailed post-event sustainability reports outlining metrics like energy usage, waste management, and carbon footprints. "Our sustainability reports are designed to empower event organisers with the data they need to understand their environmental impact and continuously improve," stated Lee from RWS.

Singapore: A Benchmark for Events

As the host destination of GSTC2024, Singapore demonstrated how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into events and conferences. The STB launched the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, a practical guide to help MICE venues enhance their energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation efforts. The playbook, informed by insights from Singapore’s MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baseline exercise performed in 2023, supports venues in advancing their sustainability goals.

Additionally, the launch of the GSTC Attraction Criteria – the world’s first-ever global sustainability standard for attractions – further underscored Singapore’s ambition to position itself as a leading sustainable destination.

Singapore not only serves as a destination but also a model for the future of impactful, sustainable events. Explore how you can lead the charge in creating a greener, more responsible future for the events here.

 This article is sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board.