On December 12, the "Pudong New Area Headquarters Economy High-Quality Development Promotion Conference and the 10th Headquarters Economy Top Ten Samples Release Event" was held at the Shanghai Tower. The event brought together representatives from the Pudong New Area government, Pudong Customs, the People's Bank of China Shanghai Headquarters, and other institutions, comprehensively introducing measures to support the high-quality development of the headquarters economy. The conference emphasized optimizing headquarters services, enhancing talent support, encouraging innovation and R&D, and expanding new trade initiatives to help headquarters enterprises elevate their capabilities, increase investment, and become pivotal hubs in global industrial, supply, and value chains.
At this conference, GL Events was honored with the 2024 Pudong New Area ESG Excellence Award for Chinese and International Enterprises and the 2024 Pudong New Area ESG Industrial Ecology Innovation Competition Excellence Award. Since 2009, GL Events has implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy, actively contributing to ecological and social sustainability through initiatives such as reducing carbon emissions, limiting single-use products, promoting the circular economy, and fostering diversity.
As an official partner of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, GL Events provided over 70% of the temporary facilities for the events, ensuring that nearly all materials were recycled or reused. In procurement, the company strictly adheres to responsible sourcing principles, prioritizing suppliers committed to reducing deforestation and carbon footprints, and ensuring timber meets sustainability standards. Additionally, the group utilized efficient biofuels and green hydrogen-powered equipment to deliver clean and reliable electricity for the events.
GL Events Greater China’s business segments are also fully implementing the group’s sustainability strategy. The Hong Kong event and sports operations team consistently follows the 4R principles (Redesign, Reuse, Refurbish, Recycle), tailoring projects to clients' ESG requirements and prioritizing sustainable or recycled materials. The Xiaofeng International Convention and Exhibition Center, managed by the group, has significantly improved energy efficiency and emission reduction by installing 70,000 square meters of photovoltaic roofing and adopting prefabricated steel structures. Furthermore, the group’s exhibition division promotes sustainable fashion through dedicated salons and zones, encouraging the industry to integrate innovation, creativity, and sustainability.
By 2023, GL Events had achieved a 73% renewable energy usage rate, reducing CO2 emissions by 6% year-on-year. Over 80% of its venues have cut total energy consumption by more than 30%, further demonstrating the group’s steadfast commitment and outstanding achievements in sustainability.
Moving forward, GL Events will continue to uphold its sustainability strategy, striving to provide greener, low-carbon, and innovative solutions for global clients while contributing to the shared development of society and the environment.