The Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Award is among the highest accolades available to Sydney businesses showing leadership in sustainable business practices. The MCA was recognized for its commitment to minimizing its environmental impact through a number of initiatives, following the appointment of an Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) consultant to review the organization. The MCA has already taken significant steps to meet environmental targets, including introducing a green IT server system, with a saving of 80 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per annum, installing LED lighting systems, and making improvements in waste management and recycling.
The Award also commends the Museum’s future plans to further maximize its green credentials. Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the MCA’s $50 million building re-development, which will transform the organization into a global hub of contemporary art. Once built, it will provide Sydney with a leading example of a sustainable museum including a seawater heat exchange with a fully integrated air-conditioning system offering energy savings of up to 30 per cent. Other green initiatives planned under the re-development include the installation of ESD compliant lighting, energy monitoring throughout the building, insulation of gallery spaces, as well as water recycling.
The award was presented by the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP at an exclusive ceremony in Sydney last night attended by hundreds of business industry leaders and hosted by television presenter David Koch.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “The Museum of Contemporary Art, the winner of the Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Award, has shown great leadership in sustainable business practices. The Museum of Contemporary Art has demonstrated innovation and leadership in green building design for their new extension, and in their pioneering use of solutions such as sea water exchange."
The City of Sydney Business Awards celebrate the contribution businesses and business people make to the community, and acknowledge the City of Sydney’s vision for the future of a Green, Global and Connected City. Despite the global economic downturn, the 2009 annual City of Sydney Business Awards smashed all previous records with nearly 600 businesses nominated (double the number from 2008) and 34,900 votes from the public (triple the number last year). The award winners were chosen by a panel of industry leaders specializing in innovation, small business, academia and sustainability.
The Award wins complete a triumphant week for the MCA which on Monday was also announced as ‘Sydney’s Best Museum’ through the Alternative Media Awards.
As the only institution in Australia dedicated to exhibiting and collecting work of contemporary artists, with a strong emphasis on Australian art, the MCA plays a unique role in the cultural life of the city. The number of visitors to the MCA has grown exponentially year-on-year since 2000. Visitation increased 30 per cent for 2008/2009, taking the annual attendance to over 500,000 people for the first time.
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