Working together to #LeadTheChange

Our first priority was to cut CO2 emissions generated from Sibos by working with all stakeholders to lessen the impact of travel and transportation, reduce waste and optimise the use of resources.

To help participants get around Toronto efficiently and sustainably we included free public transport access with all in-person Sibos passes, helping to reduce carbon emissions.

THE NATURE CONSERVATION PROJECT

Promoting biodiversity and climate resilience

For many years, Sibos has contributed to nature conservation projects as part of our sustainability efforts. For 2023, we supported WWF-Canada’s Seed Orchard Program, which seeks to increase the supply of native plants and trees to be used for restoration, all while ensuring genetic diversity and climate resilience.

By using seeds from healthy native plants and trees and propagating them in orchards, the scheme helps reverse biodiversity loss and restore damaged ecosystems across Canada. The organisation also works to educate and engage communities in habitat restoration, providing opportunities for volunteers to participate in seed collection and orchard maintenance.

REDUCE WASTE AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE SOURCING

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Sibos

Sustainability was at the heart of the design and production of all Sibos and Swift exhibition features. We limited the volume of materials used, sourced locally to prevent unnecessary transportation, and chose options that could be rented, reused or repurposed.

At least 60% of remaining waste from Sibos and Swift exhibition features was then either recycled or transformed into energy.

We donated the Cityscape Displays to Designwith who will repurpose our banners into bags and other usable goods. Designwith are a local organisation in Toronto that promotes the democratisation of design education, bringing together corporations, academia, and community members from diverse backgrounds to collectively share their knowledge and skills, using a practical approach to learning.  

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Exhibitors

We provided sustainability guidelines to all our exhibitors to help them create and manage sustainable stands, and asked them to think carefully about any giveaways they provide. We encouraged exhibitors to repurpose and recycle any unavoidable waste. In partnership with our venue, reusable items were distributed to local charities. These items included chairs, tables, sofas, lamps, cups, plants and many more that will find happy homes.

Participants

Our participants also had a vital role to play. We encouraged participants to bring a reusable water bottle and use the correct bins for their waste. To help reduce paper waste participants could visit our digital Newscorner for electronic copies of newspapers and magazines, and used the QR code on your participant badges to exchange contact details on site.

sustainable food choices

Buying local, catering for all tastes

Sibos offered a range of sustainable, locally-sourced, seasonal catering to participants. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) offered 80% local and seasonal food, including items from small or organic farms, and plant-based options. In addition, their rooftop culinary garden provided organic vegetables and herbs, and the venue also managed food waste carefully via food bank donations and composting.

Sibos is attended by thousands of participants from around the world and it’s important we create a positive impact in our host cities.

Giving something back

Our 2023 charity partner was SickKids Foundation, the fundraising arm for The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada’s largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health.

As Canada’s most research-intensive hospital, SickKids works hard to find new treatments and cures, and train the next generation of experts in child health.

Funds from Swift, exhibitor partners and Sibos participants will support the hospital’s Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain & Mental Health. You can learn more about the Centre’s vital clinical care and research here.

The charity raised a total of over 16,000 CAD from onsite fundraising, so a huge thank you to everyone who donated. There’s still time to donate to SickKids Foundation if you haven’t yet by clicking here. Together we can help children live a long and happy life.

BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Sibos, Swift and their partners who helped to build the event hired 60% of staff locally.

STAR scholarship

Enabling talent to shine

The STAR scholarship fosters the development of women in finance, providing them with opportunities to expand their networks and expertise. Leading banks from around the world were invited to nominate a high potential, ambitious employee to participate. This year marked the largest scholarship to date with 33 women taking part from 13 countries.

Diversity on show

Showcasing the Sibos community

Sibos supports the Inclusive Panels Charter and our conference programme was carefully curated to ensure it featured speakers from a broad range of regions, cultures and backgrounds, reflecting the inclusivity and diversity of the Sibos community, and championing the importance of these issues in our sessions.

35 sessions at Sibos 2023 to covered diversity and inclusion or sustainability topics.

ACCESSIBILITY

An inclusive event

When we select our venues for Sibos we carefully assess their level of accessibility, for example step-free access to the venue, wheelchair accessible bathrooms and the ability to bring guide dogs into the venue. In addition, our digital pass means anyone could join conference sessions and access our networking tools from their home or office, anywhere in the world.