Apr 11, 2016
A sustainable event defined by the United Nations is an event, designed and organised in a way that minimises potential negative impacts and leaves a beneficial legacy for the host community and all involved. By taking sustainability into consideration, event organisers have the opportunity to not only minimise potentially negative impacts but also, given the large number of stakeholders involved, influence, change and hopefully inspire those involved to live more sustainably.
A sustainable initiative always has a positive impact on events. This is true because when we speak about sustainability, we speak about the best use of resources and of technology in order to have more productive meetings.
Specifically I would mention two types of values that can be added to an event through sustainability initiatives. On the one hand, the tangible value. A sustainable event takes into consideration the lighting, energy consumption, accessibility, transportation, the availability of technology, where the food comes from, as well as how the waste generated is managed. On the other hand, there is an intangible value that is more difficult to measure, which has to do with raising awareness among attendees and thus fostering a change toward greater sustainability.
Events are an enormous showcase for educating and raising awareness on sustainability and fostering positive change. A fantastic opportunity for raising awareness and inspiring change among attendees, employees, suppliers, and the local community. Leading companies and organisations that organise sustainable events perform by example and motivate others to make responsible decisions and introduce environmental and social improvements into their decision-making process.
The best way to determine the environmental impact of an event is to calculate the carbon footprint. The carbon footprint is an indicator of the overall environmental impact. At NH Hotel Group, we calculate the carbon footprint based on international standards for the sector. The carbon footprint of an event ranges between 0.2 tonnes and 1 tonne per attendee, depending on the characteristics of the space where the event is taking place, and the travel associated with the event.
Yes, certainly. The good news is that you can offset this impact. With NH Hotel Group, at the client’s request, we can compensate for the environmental impact of the event by investing in projects with positive effects on the environment. This way, the carbon footprint is offset, and the net effect of the event is carbon neutral. In order to offset this impact, NH Hotel Group collaborates on three fantastic projects that have a positive environmental impact and that benefit the communities where they are being developed.
One of them is the project “COOKING UP CHANGE IN SUDAN”: Across Africa, millions of people cook and heat water on charcoal and wood-burning open fires in their homes. Burning wood and charcoal emits high levels of indoor air pollution, is damaging to the local environment, and is carbon-emissions intensive. We support this project, which was funded by corporate organisations, that helps families in Darfur, Sudan, buy new, cleaner, low-smoke cook stoves.
Leaders will lead. Large International corporations will include sustainability requirements as key criteria for entering into commercial agreements that will serve as an example for the global business community. All mega-events will be sustainable, because they will be monitored by the international community, and the organisers will be expected to lead the way in terms of compliance and sustainability.
Technology. Technological solutions, digital services, and mobile apps will eliminate printing and paper needs. Holographic meetings will be commonplace, reducing carbon emissions associated with travel and opening up meetings to those who would otherwise have been unable to attend.
Sustainable destinations. The health problems associated with pollution will alter how destinations for large events are chosen, giving preference to locations of high environmental quality. Clients increasingly value the availability of green space at convention centres or spaces with healthy leisure activities.
Sustainability and Food. The demand for locally-produced, organic, fair-trade and sustainable options will grow in the events industry. Hopefully a growth in demand will imply a reduction in prices and a supply increase, helping implement sustainability criteria during events.
Materials and waste management. Clients will require sustainable, certified materials and waste-management specifications. Materials will be taken into consideration, from the initial event design to the final disposal.
