Singapore sets the standards

Catie Owen sees first-hand the sustainable transformation of Singapore’s MICE industry Singapore’s MICE industry finds itself in a unique position. As a completely urbanised country, the island state’s MICE industry is incorporated into its daily existence. Singapore has six dedicated MICE venues, is brimming with hotels, and offers travellers a wide portfolio of incentives to indulge in. As a location with a strong reputation for sustainability, its unsurprising that Singapore is keen to make its MICE green. This move was reaffirmed with the launch of its MICE Sustainability Roadmap at IBTM World in November-December. Crucially, Singapore is walking the walk regarding its sustainable commitments – which is abundantly clear to anyone who sees the city first-hand. Visiting Greentech Taking place, 17–18 November 2022, the Greentech Festival had its Singapore debut as it highlighted companies behind current green technology. The Festival was founded by former Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg and two engineers: Marco Voigt and Sven Krüger. The event usually takes place in Berlin, but Singapore’s sustainability drive made it an ideal secondary locale.

At the event Chi Chuan Poh, executive director of the Singapore Tourism Board, told CMW: “Sustainability for us is no longer a nice to have, it’s a must-have. Make sure your stakeholders are sustainable,or you will price yourself out of the business travel [market]. “This event is a knowledge-sharing platform, not just for the B2B community but for consumers also. That’s the reason why we are working very closely with the founders.” Rosberg made several appearances throughout the event: taking part in press conferences; chairing panels; and exploring the tech. A stand-out panel included his discussion with guest speaker JJ Lin, a popular Singaporean singer, on the potential sacrifices made by businesses and consumers who pursue sustainability. Rosberg himself admits that he is no stranger to the concept, telling CMW: “During my last time in Singapore, I was, unfortunately, blowing out some emissions and increasing future ones. But at the Greentech Festival, I’m here to reduce future emissions and I’m proud of that. “Singapore is a great city to launch an initiative like the Greentech Festival.” A natural city Dubbed ‘a city in nature’, Singapore’s investment in green surroundings is evident to visitors. Verdant plant life is built into the fabric of the city; it climbs walls, covers hotels and homes, and lines streets and roads. In 2005, Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s ‘Green Mark Scheme’ was introduced, rating buildings on their environmental impact. Following legislation such as this, green building projects in the city climbed from 2005’s figure of 0.1% to over 49% of all buildings in 2022. They won’t stop there – by 2023 Singapore plans to boost that number to 80%. Twenty-thirty is, as with anyone clued up on the COP summits, a crucial figure to Singapore’s green initiatives. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 (the Green Plan) was launched in February 2021 and centred around the city’s commitment to reducing waste and carbon emissions, while boosting green technology (such as solar panels and cleaner cars). These targets fall under five clear pillars which are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• A city in nature
• Energy reset
• Sustainable living
• Green economy
• Resilient future

When asked about the motivation behind the city’s sustainable movements, it was clear that many Singaporeans feel the drive to do what they can for the planet. But there are also pragmatic considerations. To function, Singapore has a few unique challenges that the country’s newness has allowed it to tackle head-on with modern technology. For example, building a diversified and sustainable water supply has been a necessity due to the city’s pressing lack of it. Additionally, Singapore’s limited land mass means that, when they run out of usable space, land from the surrounding ocean needs to be reclaimed. These challenges put sustainability at the top of the country’s agenda early on. Green tourism The STB has stated that tourism accounts for 4% of Singapore’s GDP, meaning that the events and hospitality industries are crucial to the city’s sustainable development. Following in the footsteps of the Green Plan, the newly launched MICE Sustainability Roadmap has outlined its industry’s path to net zero by 2050. The roadmap moves quickly. It pushes its six MICE venues and 80% of its MICE association’s (SACEOS) members to become nationally or internationally sustainable-certified by 2025. Its MICE industry will start tracking waste and carbon emissions by 2023. Proving the green thumb When investigating Singapore’s sustainable commitments, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers without seeing the proof in the pudding, so to speak. Here we circle back to the city’s verdant urban landscape, where it’s clear to every visitor that time and care have been put into curating the vibrant greenery. It’s an ongoing initiative, started in 1967 by Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Today, its hospitality industry has rallied to the cause – with the PARKROYAL hotels standing out. The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay boasts a ‘garden in a hotel’ as its main hub is brimming with both flora and fauna – clusters of housed birds serenade the suited business travellers. The emphasis on incorporated greenery seems standard across the hotel chain, as its Pickering location grants guests an unobstructed view of its expansive plant-filled balconies. To complement its array of solar panels Marina Bay has another eco-friendly surprise up its sleeve: an on-site edible garden completely accessible to guests. The hotel chain is so deeply invested in its sustainable urban farm, which provides its kitchen ingredients, that the Pickering location has plans to establish its own. Exploring Singapore

Event organisers prioritising sustainable locations don’t have to skip Singapore’s tourist spots. The city’s Supertree Grove is a staple of the Singapore skyline. The iconic abstract giants are home to sprawling vertical gardens, and 11 of the 18 trees are powered by solar energy – making the night-time light display even more magical. The Grove sits in the renowned Gardens by the Bay, which also features a stunning indoor flower display and its very own mountain. The latter is found in the Cloud Forest, where visitors explore a lush misty forest which currently features statues from James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ franchise. A large part of Singapore’s incentive allure is the distance – or lack thereof – between its must-visit sights. This is incredibly evident from the seat of a sidecar: travelling along the city’s main roads past the Marina Bay Sands and down picturesque side streets lined with food and coffee shops. There are plenty of these opportunities for the hungry delegate also. Organisers can enrol their crew on an expert-led food tour of the city, ranging from the famous Satay Street to lesser-known Hawker Centres. Drinks and relaxation abound also, especially when enjoying a cocktail at the sustainability-focused Native bar, or sipping on a Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Hotel. For Singapore, prioritising sustainability does not mean sacrifice. By maintaining the green practices at the centre of its infrastructure, the city takes nothing away from its incentive adventures.