Sustainability

The Celtic name for Glasgow “Glaschu” translates as “Dear Green Place” and the city is well known for its parks, with over 80% of children living within 400m of publicly accessible green space. But as the effects of climate change become more prominent, the existential threat of climate change requires action. In 2019 both the City and Glasgow University declared climate and ecological emergencies and started to develop action plans to make Glasgow – the city where Joseph Black, the discoverer of CO2 worked – carbon neutral by 2030, and the city once more a dear green place.

Our Green Ambition for ICM 2030

  • Carbon neutral conference venue by 2030
  • Carbon neutral city by 2030
  • Carbon neutral university by 2030
  • Green participant activities
  • Walkable city well connected by public transport to wider Scotland.

The organisers of any international conference thus have a duty to take all possible actions to reduce the carbon footprint of their conference and to take mitigating actions to make their conference more sustainable.

  • Glasgow ranks 5th in the World in the independent “Global Destination Sustainability Movement” ranking.
  • Glasgow Convention Bureau encourages all their suppliers and stakeholders to obtain green credentials (Green Tourism, Green Key), and share their own sustainability policies.
  • Currently, 2/3rd of Glasgow’s hotel stock have thirdparty Green Tourism accreditation and the aim is to continue increasing this ratio.

Our venue, the SEC already:

  • uses electricity exclusively generated from renewable sources, and aims to become fully carbon neutral by 2030;
  • has a Sustainable Food Strategy.

Such actions should be seen as minima, not maxima – we should, and must, do more. As first steps towards developing a lasting legacy we commit to:

  • Supporting the “Trees for Life” charity which focuses on re-wilding the Scottish Highlands by restoring natural ecosystems, not just through tree planting but also by restoring peatlands and reintroducing native species. The SEC already contributes to the work of this charity: for every conference hosted at the SEC a contribution is made to TFL on behalf of the event. https://www.sec.co.uk/sec-net-zero-2030/trees-for-life
  • We will ask every participant to make an optional contribution to the charity as a tangible way to offset their own personal carbon footprint.
  • We will develop metrics and indices to enable the IMU and other major organisations to model the sustainability and carbon footprint of future large conferences at the bid stage, to inform their decision-making processes.

Signatory of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency

Ranked 5th on the Global Destination Sustainability Index

Signatory of the Circular Cities Declaration

Host to the UN Framework for Climate Change’s 26th Conference of the Parties

Green Tourism Gold Award

11 Green Flag Award parks and gardens

Global Green City

Sustainable Food Places Silver award

Accessibility Statement

Glasgow Convention Bureau and its city partners are committed to accessibility. Our team has undertaken EDI training to ensure that all participants are able to enjoy the very best that Glasgow has to offer.

AccessAble provides detailed accessibility information about venues, helping people understand how inclusive a location is before they visit. It offers facts on step-free access, toilets, parking, lighting, and more, all verified by trained surveyors rather than user reviews. Their website is used by over 1.8 million people.

For participants attending a conference in Glasgow, this reduces uncertainty and supports confident planning. Attendees with disabilities or specific access needs can check routes, entrances, and facilities in advance, ensuring a smoother experience. This not only improves independence and comfort but also promotes equal participation, helping event organisers create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone involved.

Glasgow Convention Bureau has partnered with AccessAble to ensure that up to date, detailed accessibility information is available for over 200 city venues.

Hotels

Glasgow Convention Bureau can highlight all of the hotels within the city offering accessible rooms and facilities to attendees prior to booking.

The majority of the city’s hotels are listed in accessible accommodation guides such as Euan’s guide.

ScotRail

Glasgow’s 2 main train stations, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street, are fully accessible and offer specific assistance to passengers who need it.

First Bus

Most public buses in Glasgow are equipped with features for passengers with reduced mobility, including low-floor entry and designated spaces for wheelchairs.

Glasgow Taxis

Glasgow Taxis are the largest supplier of licensed taxis in the city. All their vehicles are wheelchair accessible and their drivers receive regular training to ensure they provide the best possible service for all.