Valencia Conference Centre joins the Register of Socially Responsible
New designation underscores the venue’s leadership in sustainability, marking it as the first public business organisation to achieve this distinction
The Valencia Conference Centre has officially joined the Register of Socially Responsible Valencian Entities (SIR), an initiative established by the Generalitat Valenciana to promote the adoption of strategic practices and behaviours aligned with the sustainable development of society.
With this accreditation, the Centre becomes the first publicly owned business entity to receive the certification, having attained particularly high ratings in both environmental and ethical performance.
According to Paula Llobet, Chair of the Conference Centre’s Board of Directors, this recognition “reaffirms the Conference Centre’s position as a national and international benchmark in sustainability within the business events sector… We aim to be a catalyst for positive change, in our city and across the wider events industry. Our commitment is to continue advancing toward a future that is more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative,” Llobet added.
The SIR certification aligns closely with the Centre’s strategic pillars, as outlined in its inaugural Sustainability Report. This report details progress made in 2023 and reaffirms the organisation’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing significant achievements across the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability.
“One of the most significant outcomes has been the 97% reduction in our carbon footprint year-on-year, covering both direct greenhouse gas emissions and those indirectly associated with electricity consumption,” Llobet highlighted. This milestone was achieved through the exclusive use of certified renewable electricity. Additional emissions were offset through a project officially recognised by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), enabling the Centre to achieve carbon neutrality across these key emission scopes.
In parallel, the Centre’s membership in the global Net Zero Carbon Events initiative further demonstrates its ambition to lead the transition towards low-impact, carbon-neutral events, in line with emerging best practices across the international events industry.
Progress has also been made in the management of natural resources. In 2023, water consumption was reduced by 31%, and innovative solutions were introduced to tackle food waste. “In this context, we spearheaded a collaboration agreement with CEMAS, the Lluís Alcanyís Foundation of the University of Valencia, and catering company Gourmet Catering y Eventos, to foster a more responsible and efficient approach to food management,” Llobet explained. As a direct result, more than 800 kilograms of food were donated during the reporting period. “This has created measurable social value, resulting in over 1,900 meal portions delivered and an estimated reduction of nearly two tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions,” the chair of the Conference Centre Board of Director noted.
In terms of infrastructure investment, Llobet confirmed that “in 2023, the Centre allocated €1.8 million to sustainability-focused projects aimed at enhancing comfort, modernity, and environmental performance across our facilities.” These capital improvements encompassed upgrades to air conditioning systems, enhanced energy efficiency, increased service digitalisation, and the transformation of food service and networking areas.
On the employment front, the Conference Centre maintained 100% of its workforce on permanent contracts during the reporting year, while also achieving near gender pay parity (pay ratio of 0.98). The report also highlights that woman held 40% of the organisation’s leadership roles, reinforcing the Centre’s ongoing commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive career development.
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With more than 26 years in operation, the Valencia Conference Centre has hosted over 3,400 events and contributed to more than 2.5 million overnight stays in the city. It continues to deliver high client satisfaction (5.5 out of 6) and maintains its position as a key economic, social, and cultural engine for Valencia.
The 2023 report was produced in accordance with GRI Standards and in alignment with Decree 200/2022 issued by the Generalitat Valenciana. Work is already underway on the 2024 edition, with its annual release reinforcing the Centre’s dedication to transparency, continuous improvement, and accountability to its stakeholders.
