GreenBiz, a publication devoted to helping companies integrate environmental responsibility into their operations, included Cleveland in a recent listing of "Top 10 U.S. Cities for Green Meetings in 2014."

Thanks to the massive environmental footprint of air travel, audiovisual equipment, food waste and more, the meetings and event industry is one of the most wasteful sectors in the US.

But the news is not all bad, states the article. "A handful of destinations recently debuted new or renovated meetings facilities with an environmental focus, making the new year a particularly exciting one for green meetings."

"These 10 cities in particular stand out as top choices for sustainable events in 2014:"

10. Cleveland

"Last year, Cleveland welcomed two neighboring meeting venues along its revitalized waterfront: the Cleveland Convention Center and Global Center for Health Innovation, which hosts medical events. Both were designed with an eye on sustainability; features include 138 bike racks, water-efficient landscaping, motion sensors and low-flow washroom fixtures. The convention center has a green roof with extensive plant life and soil materials, while the Global Center includes a white reflective roof. Half of the nearly nine-acre site used for the buildings has been preserved as open space, and 97 percent of debris was recycled during construction. The venues are currently seeking LEED Silver certification."

"Sustainability is not just addressed in the design of these venues -- sustainability is the design of these venues," says Sarah Blanchard, spokesperson for LMN architects, which designed the facilities. "Displaying the future of health and health care and welcoming visitors from across the globe to a state-of-the-art convention center are civic hallmarks that demand a design centered on efficiency and technology."

Read the rest of the green news here.