Ahead of COP27, Glasgow Convention Bureau has evaluated the lasting legacy from hosting COP26.
Feedback from Glasgow’s tourism and conventions sector, as evidenced in the Bureau’s 2022 Business Survey, found that more than half (60%) of city tourism businesses improved their sustainability credentials as a result of COP26, with a particular focus on reducing food waste and lowering energy consumption.
Additionally, the majority of respondents (more than 70%) said that hosting COP26 raised their awareness of climate change.
Hotels and universities
Janice Fisher, co-chair of the Greater Glasgow Hoteliers Association (GGHA), said: “The city’s hotel community understood the need to clearly communicate our green credentials and sustainable practices to the COP26 delegates, and we have taken these learnings forward to support future conferences meeting in our city.
“Over the last year, Glasgow’s hotels have increased its number of electric vehicle charging points, worked on removing single-use plastic, and we have been encouraging all GGHA members to apply for Green Tourism accreditation as best practice.”
Gordon Hodge, head of conferencing and events at the University of Strathclyde, added: “The University is committed to reducing emissions by 70% by 2025. We’ve developed a sustainability webpage to help organisers and delegates make more sustainable choices, and our conference apps reduce the need for printed materials.”
A city of firsts
Prior to COP26, Glasgow was the first city in the UK to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI) in 2016 and ranking in the top five destinations (fourth) worldwide by 2022.
In 2021, Glasgow was also the first UK city to partner with EarthCheck, the sustainable city benchmarking tool, as well as the first Convention Bureau to join Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.
Aileen Crawford, head of tourism and conventions at Glasgow Life, which operates Glasgow Convention Bureau, said: “Hosting COP26 has helped to build on Glasgow’s ‘People Make Glasgow Greener’ story where the city has gone ‘from steam, to green’. Energy and low carbon conferences are regularly in our top three subject areas alongside medical and engineering meetings.
“This trend is set to continue with over £16m of energy-related conference business secured for Glasgow through to March 2024; further strengthening the city’s, and Scotland’s, position as a sustainable conference location for responsible conference organisers.”
People Make Glasgow Greener is an ongoing campaign led by Glasgow Convention Bureau, which was launched ahead of the city’s hosting of COP26 and reflects Glasgow’s commitment to becoming a sustainable tourism destination.
The campaign reflects Glasgow’s ‘People Make Glasgow’ city brand. Earlier this year, Glasgow City Council published the results of its annual 2022 Glasgow Household Survey, which showed that 40% of citizens who responded felt COP26 had a positive impact on the city, while 72% felt it had raised Glasgow’s profile internationally.
Kathleen Warden, director of conference sales at the Scottish Event Campus, concluded: “COP26 has had a transformative effect on our business and has accelerated our sustainability ambitions. As the host venue we are forever part of the COP story, and the SEC and Glasgow’s legacy will always be remembered.”
