
SUSTAINABILITY
As a transformational event, GC2018 presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in sustainability by delivering to international standards of best practice, leaving positive economic, environmental, social and community legacies that last beyond the Closing Ceremony.
The Gold Coast is renowned for its natural beauty, and GC2018 provides the ideal setting to celebrate and connect with the city’s natural assets, as well as showcase our vibrant and diverse community.
Guiding our GC2018 delivery is the ISO 20121 event sustainability management system and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework Sustainability Reporting Standards. By implementing these frameworks incorporating stakeholder consultation and feedback, we have identified the following key sustainability pillars for GC2018:
We’re proud that our sustainability efforts have been recognised by the wider community.
- Winner - 2016 Australian Business Award for Sustainability
- 4 Star - Green Start Interiors Pilot Rating 2016
- Highly commended in Premier’s Sustainability Award 2016
- Pride in Sport Index
- Finalist - Human Rights Awards 2017
For further details on our work to date, please reference our foundation planning documents and sustainability reports below.
- GC2018 Sustainability Overview - Download
- Sustainability Report 2014 - 15 - Download
- Sustainability Report 2015 - 16 - Download
- Sustainability Report (Pre Games) - Download
- Sustainability Report (Post Games) - Download
- Towards a Sustainable GC2018 - Download
- GOLDOC Sustainability Policy - Download / Download
- GC2018 Approach to Human Rights and Post-Games report - Download
Contact the team via email sustainability@goldoc.com



Source responsibly
Embedding sustainability upfront in the procurement process is an important aspect of delivering a sustainable event.
When we source responsibly our supply chain is positively impacted, from material selection to labour rights and local capacity building. We are committed to delivering the GC2018 procurement program in a way that:
- Achieves value for money,
- Contributes to the local economy,
- Minimises environmental impacts and
- Is socially responsible.
To assist this process, we have developed a number of supporting documents.
Sustainable Sourcing Code
- describes our approach to sustainable supply chain management
- sets out minimum requirements that all suppliers must comply with when providing goods or services to GC2018.
Download Sustainable Sourcing Code (PDF Download)

Materials and Packaging
Packaging (including food packaging) will be minimised to avoid:
- Unnecessary packaging costs,
- Demand for raw materials and
- Carbon emissions.
(Materials and Packaging Policy PDF Download / Word Download)

Sustainable Goods and Services Guidelines
Provide general guidance on how suppliers can improve the sustainability performance of their supply chain.
(Download GC2018 Sustainable Goods and Services Guideline / Word Download)

Food and Beverage
Providing sustainable food and beverage options and reducing food packaging waste.
The size and scale of catering required across all venues for all customer groups poses logistical and sourcing challenges. GOLDOC aims to source produce by working with both large and small scale suppliers, with the aim of achieving the highest standards across the entire regional food industry.

The GC2018 Food Experience, developed in conjunction with the City of Gold Coast and the local food industry, forms the basis for GOLDOC’s Catering Department to support and deliver the catering services across all GC2018 venues.
Australia’s reputation for its clean, green, innovative food has won many admirers around the world. There is a large and varied array of healthy food and drinks on offer within Queensland and surrounding areas, which currently supplies much of the requirements of the local population.
The opportunities to promote this produce are endless, from local seafood, pasture fed meats, local bush tucker foods and boutique beers and wines, to the diversity of fruits and vegetables.
Manage Our Impacts
Demonstrating environmental stewardship and protecting health of oceans through reduced use of pollutants such as plastic bags and helium balloons.
The impact of event pollution on the City’s waterways and ocean environment is a key concern for the local community.
Mass released helium balloons, light-weight plastic bags and single-use plastic water bottles are regularly found in the ocean, washed up on beaches, in the waterways and have been found to contribute to the death of marine life and sea birds.

They are a challenge to manage locally and throughout the world. Micro-plastic pollution is now working its way into the world’s food chains.
In response to this issue, GC2018 will be a helium balloon free event and Games-time messaging will encourage spectators to bring their own transparent, water bottle, with drinking water available for refills.
Increasing recycling rates and reducing waste to landfill
GC2018’s recycling and waste management systems and practices have been designed to maximise diversion from landfill within the constraints of the City’s existing recycling and waste management facilities.
GOLDOC’s Materials and Packaging Policy will be a key contributor to the responsible management of GC2018 waste.
GOLDOC’s approach to recycling and waste management for both GOLDOC’s Headquarters (GHQ) and the GC2018 event is based on the Waste and Recovery Hierarchy.
Resource Recovery Hierarchy
Refuse
The highest priority is to avoid waste. Plan to avoid waste before it's created, and
find alternative to disposable and single-use materials.
Reduce
Select items with the least packaging and reduce the quantity of
materials and products needed.
Reuse
Buy and use products that are reusable. Think about
how resources can be repurposed and repaired.
Recycle
Maximise resources diverted
from landfill by recycling.
Dispose
Send waste to
landfill as
the last
resort.
Carbon Emissions
Climate change is an important issue for Commonwealth nations, and the Oceania region. Responsibly managing the direct and indirect carbon emissions attributable to GC2018 is essential to delivering a sustainable event.

Transport
GC2018 is a catalyst to bring forward transport infrastructure improvements for the long-term benefit of the community.
Public and active transport are the primary modes of transport to GC2018 events and will include accessible transport options to cater for varying transport needs.
A successful transport operation is critical to the success of any major sporting event. There will be significant demand on the transport system.

The GC2018 transport task is broad, ranging from public transport for spectators and workforce, ensuring that Gold Coast businesses can continue to operate as usual during GC2018 and the development of a priority transport network for the Games Family (athletes and team officials, Games officials, accredited media and technical officials).
For more information on our transport plans, visit the transport page.
Inspire inclusive, active communities
Welcoming participation by people of every gender, race, socio-economic status, orientation or ability.
Our aim is to ensure that everyone can enjoy GC2018 in a truly inclusive environment. GC2018 has achieved some history making outcomes in this area:
• There will be an equal number of medal events for men and women, a first in the history of a major multi-sport Games.
• The GC2018 Reconciliation Action Plan will deliver legacy outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is the first of its kind for a major Australian event and for a Commonwealth Games.
• The para-sport program, which is integrated into the sports program is the largest ever for a Commonwealth Games
• Family-friendly ticket prices along with some free sporting events and the Festival 2018 arts and culture program, will ensure there is something to enjoy for all members of the community.

Human Rights
Respect and support for human rights are an essential foundation for strong communities. Mega Sporting Events such as GC2018 can have a positive impact on human rights and can contribute and promote positive social, environmental and economic legacies. GOLDOC’s holistic approach to the management of human rights across GC2018 planning and delivery is set out in the GOLDOC Human Rights Policy (PDF)
A Games for everyone
GC2018’s vision to deliver an inclusive Games also stretches further than the sporting arena.
People with an accessible requirement will be provided with appropriate access at all competition venues.
For sports sessions, accessible seating tickets will be charged at the lowest price category within each session.
For those spectators requiring a companion (a person who is essential for assistance), a ticket will be provided at no additional cost.
GC2018 will cater for a large number of people with accessible needs. However, it is recommended to request these tickets as early as possible to ensure availability.
Our legacy
Considering community’s needs and expectations as well as legacy outcomes are at the forefront of GC2018 planning.
Working closely with our Games Delivery Partners (City of Gold Coast, Queensland Government) we’re committed to promoting healthy and active living, raising awareness, sharing knowledge and building capacity within the community to support long term benefits of hosting the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
It is also important that the community and all stakeholders understand how the event has been used to create positive legacies that will last well beyond the event itself.
Identifying opportunities for longer term legacy benefits is at the forefront of GOLDOC’s planning and some of these opportunities will be realised in advance of the event.
Embracing 2018
The Embracing 2018 program is led by the Queensland Government in conjunction with the City of Gold Coast, and aims to maximise the opportunities presented by GC2018 to ensure lasting benefits for Queensland, the City of Gold Coast and for the benefit of the broader Australian population.
Information about the extensive legacy program can be found on the Embracing 2018 website: https://www.embracing2018.com/