Green Newcastle
When it comes to the issue of Environmental Sustainability and destinations with ‘green’ credentials, Newcastle NSW is probably not a place that immediately springs to mind. Whilst the high polluting heavy industries that many people remember the City for have long disappeared, and have been replaced with industries with a much less environmental impact such as Tourism, Education and Health Services & Research, it still is home to the world’s largest Coal exporting port.
There are already many tourism operators leading the way in environmentally sustainable practices. Operators such as Quest Newcastle have obtained Green Star rating via AAA Tourism, and restaurant Scratchleys on the Wharf, whose owners pride themselves on being arguably the most environmentally friendly restaurant in Australia. Newcastle also boasts accredited Ecotourism attractions such as the Hunter Wetlands Centre.
While these businesses have already demonstrated a commitment to long term environmental sustainability, Newcastle Tourism and NVCB are currently working with a cluster of tourism & conference related businesses and Newcastle City Council's City Energy team on a pilot ClimateCam project in an effort to further decrease the City’s carbon emissions and energy consumption. This will further enhance our marketability as a green destination, despite the industrial past our City has experienced.