Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has been recognized for Business Sustainability in the World Business Awards 2016. The World Business Award for Business Sustainability recognizes organizations that execute initiatives that demonstrate leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices.

Established in January 2012 pursuant to the Commonwealth Games Arrangements Act, the Gold Cost 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) is a statutory body tasked with organizing the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In the bid to host GC2018, a number of commitments were made to deliver a sustainable event that leaves positive economic, environmental and social legacies. GOLDOC is working on delivering the sustainability commitments made in the bid to leave a legacy of sustainable event management as a blueprint for future events, both locally and internationally.

Currently in the event planning stage, GOLDOC’s sustainability team are currently working to align identified key sustainability priorities with a cross-organisational action plan. These priorities begin at the procurement stage, with plans being put in place to ensure that energy and water efficiency as well as waste management are key considerations in the supply chain for the event. GOLDOC has engaged a specialist sustainable supply chain consultancy service to assist with helping it and contractors maintain sustainable supply chain processes.

GOLDOC also recognize the importance of managing the impact of the event on natural environments and ecosystems. The large scale of the Commonwealth Games come with a propensity to produce large amount of waste and carbon emissions, these areas have thus been identified by GOLDOC for management. Waste management practices have been designed around a Waste Recovery Hierarchy that begins with waste avoidance and prevention, followed by reuse, recycling, recovery and lastly disposal to landfill. Plans are in place to work with staff, suppliers, venues and contractors to ensure that they are educated in and support positive waste outcomes for the event.

Carbon emissions are being addressed through transportation plans. A successful transport operation is critical to the success of any major sporting event. Athletes, team officials, technical officials, media, spectators and workforce must arrive in a timely and organised fashion. The overall transport task during GC2018 requires GOLDOC, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the City to work together to plan and deliver an integrated transport service.

In order to minimize the emissions derived from games-related travel, GOLDOC is developing strategies to encourage public and active transport options for Games attendees. This includes setting transportation targets, and conducting a full site audit of active travel facilities and access points as well as public transport stops and service times.