Toronto is a bustling urban metropolis, but it is also a city dedicated to its natural beauty. Take in the view from one of its skyscrapers, and you'll see that Toronto is a surprisingly green city. The fact that Toronto ranks among the most livable cities in the world is a result of a broad-reaching plan that relies on partnerships across the city, as well as numerous efforts by hotels and meeting facilities, to walk the walk, not merely talk the talk, when it comes to environmental responsibility.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) is just one great example. In 2006, the facility received the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) GO Green designation, as well as a Gold Award for Ontario Waste Minimization from the Recycling Council of Ontario. The first facility to use Toronto's Deep Lake Water Cooling system, the MTCC also has a solid record of recycling 64 percent of all material. Taking equal strides in this direction is the Direct Energy Centre, the only Canadian recipient of the 2006 Innovation Award from Trade Show Executive magazine for committing $7 million in naming rights fees to environmental initiatives. The Centre has an aggressive waste diversion program and recently completed lighting retrofits to decrease energy consumption.

The Toronto Congress Centre recently announced plans for a major expansion of its trade and convention space to incorporate such sustainable elements as indoor air quality, energy efficiency, green energy, and water conservation. For its part, the International Centre implemented a customized recycling program in 2006 at every trade and consumer show, special event, and meeting. All cardboard and paper waste from exhibit halls and meeting rooms is now sorted, separated, and shipped to recycling depots. Plastic and glass recycling occurs in all permanent and temporary food areas.

On the hotel front, the Fairmont Royal York Hotel has been leading the lodging industry in sustainable best practices since 1990, when parent company Fairmont Hotels & Resorts developed a comprehensive commitment to minimize the impact of its properties on the planet. The Fairmont Royal York currently recycles 85 percent of all materials. Also following an example set by its parent company, the Sheraton Centre Toronto participates in "You Make the Choice," Starwood Hotels & Resorts' Green Program. The program encourages guests to reuse towels and linens during their stay. Among Toronto boutique hotels with green initiatives in place are The Gladstone Hotel, The Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel and Spa, Pantages Suites Hotel & Spa, and Hotel Le Germain.

Tourism Toronto constantly seeks new ways to integrate "green" into its practices and services. Tourism Toronto's "green team" - comprised of one member from each department - has helped to implement several internal changes, including making Tourism Toronto the first office in its building to begin composting. Team members have made simple changes, such as double-sided printing and recycled paper, to reduce the number of trees used to manufacture Tourism Toronto's paper.

Tourism Toronto is a proud member of the Green Meetings Industry Council, which helps to ensure that holding sustainable meetings in the city is an easy process for planners. Visit www.torontotourism.com to learn more.

Toronto is a surprisingly green city.

One of Toronto's many green spaces where residents play, meet, and appreciate nature