Glasgow Convention Bureau has collected positive feedback as to the lasting legacy that was created by hosting COP26 one year ago.
The city’s ongoing campaign since then, People Make Glasgow Greener, as well as input from Glasgow’s tourism and conventions sector show the impact the conference had on the city’s sustainability conscience.
According to the Bureau’s 2022 Business Survey, more than half (60%) of city tourism businesses improved their sustainability credentials as a result of COP26, with a particular focus on reducing food waste and lowering energy consumption.
Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism and Conventions at Glasgow Life, which operates Glasgow Convention Bureau, said: “Hosting COP26 has helped to build on Glasgow’s ‘People Make Glasgow Greener’ story, where the city has gone ‘from steam, to green’. Energy and low carbon conferences are regularly in our top three subject areas alongside medical and engineering meetings. This trend is set to continue with energy-related conference business secured for Glasgow through to March 2024; further strengthening the city’s, and Scotland’s, position as a sustainable conference location for responsible conference organisers.”
Based on the 2022 Glasgow Household Survey published by the Glasgow City Council, 40% of citizens felt COP26 had a positive impact on the city, while 72% felt it had raised Glasgow’s profile internationally. Additionally, some 66% said it had boosted Glasgow’s reputation for staging major events, while 60% said it had encouraged them to think about the environment more.