33

Brisbane, Australia

Contact: Lorelle Chittick

Back to Map overview
gds_logo_dark

The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme that measures, benchmarks, and improves the sustainability strategy and performance of tourism and events destinations.

The GDS-Index is aligned with international standards; UN SDGs, GSTC Destination Criteria, UNWTO.

Click here to read more about the benchmarking methodology including data collection and verification, the four benchmarking categories, governance and criteria development and performance scoring methods.

This page highlights each destinations sustainability journey and will showcase their journey.

Performance Overview

The 2024 GDS-Index comprises 77 indicators across four categories. Here is the total score and the score for the four categories for this destination.

Total

0%

Environmental

Social

Supplier

Destination Management Organisation

Environmental

Includes a city's performance pertaining to its policies and infrastructure, such as climate change commitment, carbon emissions, renewable energies, resource and water management, public transport, and air pollution levels.

Social

Indicates the performance of the city against indicators of SDG integration, Corruption, Personal Safety, Access to Information and Communications, Health and Wellness, and Inclusivity, using external sources such as the Social Progress Imperative Index, and Corruption Perceptions Index.

Supplier

Addresses the sustainability commitment and performance of the local meetings' industry supply chain, including airports, events agencies, hotels, venues, and restaurants.

Destination Management Organisation

Indicates the sustainability commitment, including questions pertaining to maturity of a destination's sustainability and regeneration strategy, leadership, communication of sustainability initiatives (to support client planners), and the accuracy of their reporting on sustainability operations.

Sustainability Journey

Summary
Environmental
Supplier
Social

Brisbane is a green city with an enviable subtropical climate and rich biodiversity. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia and is known for its vibrant urban precincts, outdoor lifestyle and friendly locals. Brisbane is the second city in the world to have attained Gold Level in the United Nations Habitat’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Cities Global Initiative, an exciting acknowledgement of the strides taken to protect and grow a sustainable city of the future. Initiatives that contribute to Brisbane’s success include investment in connected and low-emissions public transport networks, active transport bridges to connect footpaths and bikeways between the city and suburbs, and incentives to encourage the design of more energy efficient buildings across Brisbane. Demonstrating leadership in sustainability, Brisbane City Council’s Brisbane. Clean, Green, Sustainable strategy details the approach and actions to deliver a sustainable city now and for future generations. Brisbane Economic Development Agency is responsible for championing sustainable economic growth for the region and spearheads collaboration across the city.

Does Brisbane Economic Development Agency have a Sustainability Strategy?

Does Brisbane have a sustainable destination certificate?

Does Brisbane Economic Development Agency report on its sustainability performance?

Brisbane has a focus on environmental sustainability and aims to continuously build on its achievements. Tracking against the city’s Clean, Green and Sustainable vision, Brisbane has performed well in a number of areas such as clean air with air pollution levels currently within the recommended Australian guidelines for PM2.5 and PM10, and reducing household carbon emissions, while increasing sustainable transport patronage and active travel. Brisbane’s new Towards Zero Waste strategy focuses on a circular economy model resulting in reduced waste generation and increased resource recovery. Such as soft mobility transport, providing accessible electric vehicle charging stations. Brisbane City Council is certified carbon neutral in line with the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard, making it Australia’s largest 100 per cent carbon neutral organisation. With 85% of residents living within 400m of public open space, the city is on its way to becoming a global leader in sustainability with a strong focus on preserving and activating parklands and outdoor facilities to maintain its reputation as a sub-tropical lifestyle city.

27%

OF ELECTRICITY
FROM RENEWABLES

29%

OF WASTE
RECYCLED

6078 ha

HECTARES OF GREEN
AREA PER 100 000
POPULATION

Brisbane is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia and is known for its vibrant urban precincts, outdoor lifestyle and welcoming locals. Brisbane has a reputation for hosting successful meetings facilitated by the city's world-class venues, unique experiences, and new and refurbished accommodation options. Sustainability is a priority for the destination, with the city and its suppliers working with event planners to tailor meetings to their sustainability expectations. Brisbane’s venues and suppliers are passionate about sustainability. The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is committed to operating one of the most environmentally responsible venues in Australia and is certified Platinum with EarthCheck. There are a number of key hotels in the destination focusing on sustainability with third party or in house sustainability certifications. Brisbane has highly experienced event managers and PCOs that are dedicated to ensuring events meet sustainable expectations, and the city's convention bureau, Brisbane Economic Development Agency, has confirmed a commitment to sustainability by achieving Bronze-benchmarking certification through EarthCheck.

26%

OF HOTEL ROOMS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

100%

OF VENUES
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

25%

OF PCOS/DMCS
SUSTAINABILITY
CERTIFIED

Brisbane is an enviable place to live, work and play with a fantastic lifestyle, an abundance of attractions to explore, and a diverse population. Brisbane is a multicultural city that prides itself on being a vibrant and inclusive destination. The Better Brisbane Index 2022-2023 highlights that 92% of Brisbane residents reported a positive quality-of-life. Education is highly valued in the city, with 1.5 million Brisbane residents (61%) holding post-school qualifications, while close to 5% of residents hold a postgraduate degree. As a result, around 16.1% of the workforce is employed in knowledge intensive industries. With over 100 different religions, Brisbane is a community that celebrates difference. Brisbane City Council is dedicated to creating accessible and inclusive public transport options and offers an integrated Braille Trail. Furthermore, the city’s Sustainable Growth Strategy ensures Brisbane is responding to the changing needs and requirements for housing into the future.

INCLUSION SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGESS INDEX

PERSONAL SAFETY SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGESS INDEX

SCORE ON CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX

Go to Top