As sustainability continues to be a critical topic across industries, XDS leads the way in progressive and innovative sustainable event practices that set us apart. Meeting in person is key to the development and health of our industry, but we recognize the impacts that traveling has on our planet, which is why year over year we work to evolve our robust sustainable event practices and use sustainability as a lens by which we make decisions in order to claim our spot as one of the video game industry’s most sustainable events.
We are proud to be the industry’s only “Climate Friendly Event”, a testament to our unwavering dedication to a greener, more sustainable future. By cutting down on carbon emissions and waste, curating sustainable menus and being intentional about manufacturing, we can do our part to keep our own world as beautiful as the expansive worlds we create in our games.
Emissions Reductions
- Working with Ostrom Climate Solutions, Canada’s leading carbon management solutions provider, to understand our greenhouse gas emissions and earn a “Climate Friendly Event” designation. Read our XDS25 Climate Friendly Report
- Offering attendees the opportunity to offset a portion of their travel at the point of registration to further reduce our carbon footprint
- Hosting the summit at the Vancouver Convention Centre, world’s first double LEED® Platinum certified convention centre, allowing us to integrate its established sustainability practices directly into our event planning. Read about the VCC’s sustainability initiatives
- Reducing our emissions by renting an electric vehicle for our event crew
- Promotion of active and eco friendly transportation and sustainable food options for attendees while in Vancouver
Waste Management + Single Use Plastic
- Eliminating all Single Use Plastic Water and Pop Bottles and working to eliminate our overall single use plastics onsite
- Creation of bright and informative waste stream signage in order to streamline our waste diversion rate
- Providing only compostable to-go cups and packaging
Signage + Fabrication
- Volunteer t-shirts are made from 100% Organic Cotton, which uses less water than traditional cotton and no chemicals or pesticides which protects local habitats. We’ve also sourced our shirts from a member of 1% For The Planet, who donate 1% of every retail sale to support the work of environmental non-profits organizations.
- Allowing attendees to “opt out” of XDS Merchandise at the point of registration to avoid fabrication waste
- Badges made from 100% Recyclable, FSC® Certified, Elemental Chlorine Free Paper Board
- Lanyards fabricated from 100% Recycled Plastic which requires less energy to produce compared to virgin plastic and gives post-consumer plastic a second life in a useful, visible form
- Printing as much summit floor signage as we can on recyclable corrugated cardboard materials or FSC certified paper!
Food + Beverage
- Reducing our emissions and water usage by hosting a fully pescatarian Welcome Reception.
- Serving vegetarian dinners to crew and onsite staff as a meaningful step in lowering our carbon footprint.
- Offering dairy alternatives at the Cafe and AM + PM Breaks which use less land, less water and generates lower amounts of greenhouse gasses.
- Further reducing our emissions and water usage by hosting fully vegetarian AM breaks
- Working with the chefs at VCC to curate a menu that is as local and sustainable as possible
- Working in collaboration with the Vancouver Food Runners to donate all leftover summit food to organizations in need – Minimizing our summit waste and benefiting our local community.
- Read our 2025 Food Runners Food Rescue Report
Communications
- Including sustainability focused content into our educational programming
- Continue the conversation by regularly updating our attendees on our sustainability goals and achievements through the XDS newsletters.
- Developing robust internal & external communications around sustainability in order to educate and encourage our sponsors, attendees and production suppliers to join us on this journey!
Reduce your Environmental Impact at XDS
Onsite at XDS
Wondering how you can reduce your environmental impact at the event? Below are a few tips and tricks!
- Bring a reusable bottle
You won’t find plastic water bottles for sale on our watch! Bring your own – Vancouver’s water is better on tap! - Bring a reusable coffee mug
Keep your coffee hot while saving the world - Reuse your towels
Lessen water consumption by reusing your towels for the duration of your stay
Getting Around
Use environmentally friendly modes of transportation:
- Carpool – Heading to an evening event offsite? Why not car share with 4 friends?
- Public Transportation – Take Rapid Transit or the Bus to and from offsite events or from the airport.
- Rent a Bike – Mobi Bikes are rentable throughout the city and are a great way to get around. Be sure to set up your account before you arrive!
- Walk – Vancouver is a fantastically safe and walkable city. Dust off those comfy shoes and walk to where you need to go. The planet and your waistline will thank you.
Food
Exploring the local foodie scene? Consider a restaurant or cafe that serves local ingredients, or choose one of Vancouver’s many vegetarian/vegan locations. Below are some favourites!