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    Environment and Sustainability

    Environment and Sustainability
    Rotary Convention aims to be environmentally friendly

    Protecting the environment is one of Rotary's areas of focus. We're committed to supporting activities that conserve and protect natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment.

    As such, we're working hard to include programming to educate our participants about environmental issues and how they intersect with other areas of focus (clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and the wellbeing of mothers and children). General session programming is in development. Breakout sessions will be offered on sustainability topics including:

    • Adopt-a River
    • End Plastic Soup – Stop the Plastic Pollution
    • Happy Period! Break the Silence about Menstruation
    • Of Mothers, Children, Plastic and Waste
    • Plant-Rich Diet: A Delicious Climate Action
    • Water Collection for Sustainability: A Case Study

    We are also making conscious choices in planning the convention, such as:

    • Minimizing shuttle transportation and using the Public Transportation Victoria (PTV) system to transport participants from their hotels to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Rod Laver Arena for general sessions, and all around the city. All full convention registered attendees will receive a complimentary 5-day access to PTV. 
    • Improving the convention mobile app to provide current schedules, locations, and updates. This will keep convention participants “in the know” while eliminating printed programs and transportation guides.
    • Incorporating plant-based and meatless options into menus.
    • Providing water coolers around the venue to minimize single-use plastics.
    • Increasing the use of digital tools to distribute information and minimizing paper in the breakouts and the House of Friendship.

    We're proud to be hosting the convention in a city where sustainability is a priority, at a venue deeply committed to the environment and sustainable practices. The Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) demonstrates a robust program with a strategy shaped by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MCEC’s representatives continuously work to make it a truly sustainable event destination by delivering creative solutions and collaborating with industry partners. For their efforts, MCEC has received numerous awards and accolades. Learn more about their many efforts and achievements.

    Rod Laver Arena, home of the general sessions and one of the premier venues in Melbourne & Olympic Parks, was redeveloped to meet LEED gold standards. It is now among the most sustainable and energy-efficient venues in the world. Melbourne & Olympic Parks is committed to environmental sustainability and works consciously to minimize waste and reduce water and energy consumption. Learn more about the sustainability efforts at Melbourne & Olympic Parks.

    What Can YOU Do?

    Learn more about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

    Consider your choices through an environmental sustainability lens:

    • Plan to use public or shared transportation, walk, or cycle. PTV has sustainable and accessible options that will minimize the carbon footprint of your travel.
    • Consider choosing a meatless or plant-rich diet for one day or one meal each day.
    • Carry a water bottle to refill at our filling stations. Bring a reusable straw to eliminate the use of plastic or paper straws.
    • Using your preferred carbon footprint calculator, calculate the carbon footprint of your travel to and from the convention.
    • Donate to the Rotary Foundation with a gift to the “Annual Fund – Environment” area of focus.