Sustainability

Sustainability has been at the forefront of the local organising committees’ planning from the beginning. It is also ingrained within the ethos of all operators in the Cairns area. In fact, with an array of eco-certified experiences and dedicated environmental restoration projects, Tropical North Queensland has long been leading the change towards purposeful travel and continues to share efforts with Traditional Owners to protect the natural and cultural assets of the area for future generations.

How is ICOM2026 approaching sustainability?

  • Hosting at a Venue Designed with Sustainability in Mind: We are hosting ICOM2026 at the Cairns Convention Centre, a site that has recently undergone a massive renovation focused around sustainability. For more information, go to https://www.cairnsconvention.com.au/about/sustainability/
  • Staying Local: For the conference dinner, held at Rainforestation, we have contracted with an organisation that sees sustainability as one of its key initiatives. They are ecotourism and ROC (Respecting our Culture) accredited.
    • They will be using their electric fleet of buses to transport us. With the commitment of CaPTA Group and Tropics Wings to establish a benchmark for sustainability in Australia, they incorporated 12 new electric coaches into their fleet in 2024, with a goal to transition to 80% electric by 2030.
    • See: https://www.rainforest.com.au/ecoinitiatives/
  • Reducing and Re-using: For booths/posterboards/signage/stage decorations, we are contracting with a local company that has several strategies that support sustainability:
    • They use strategies to reduce printed materials: Opting for digital brochures instead of excessive printed collateral.
    • They utilize reusable materials by renting previously created banners/boards and provide options for reusable exhibiting materials.
    • They prioritize hiring locally to reduce transportation emissions.
    • Instead of using cut flowers that are imported and disposable, we will be setting the stage with rented potted plants.
  • Carbon Offsetting Delegate Attendance: A part of the conference registration for each delegate will go toward replanting the critically endangered Mabi Forest.
    • These trees will be part of a restoration project in the Wet Tropics region of far north Queensland. This effort aims to address the severe reduction of the Mabi Forest, now less than 4% of its original extent, through a collaborative approach involving local community groups, government, and Traditional Owners, thereby supporting the habitat of unique species like Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo.
    • The trees planted per person have been calculated to offset each delegate’s carbon footprint during their time at the conference.
    • As part of this initiative, the conference delegates will have access to an app from this organisation that tracks the planting and success of the area following the conference.
  • Providing Opportunities for Further Offset: We aim to provide an opportunity for delegates to pay an additional fee to increase their contribution to the Mabi Forest initiative to further offset their anticipated carbon emissions related to their travel.
  • Partnering with Eco-Certified Operators: For the tours that we are currently organising, we aim to work exclusively with companies that have certified sustainability plans.

For more information or questions, please email: info@icom2026.org