Sustaining the ENVIRONMENT

Events, meetings and grand festivals are and integral part of raising economy of a locality. Large groups of people travel for these functions or also known as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) comprises a large section of travelers which in turn create a large carbon foot print as well as exhaust the resources of the locality. (Mice Report, 2013). This increase of carbon emissions directly affects climate change which in-turn leads to a catastrophic phenomenon more popularly known as global warming.

Global warming is a highly debatable topic with some still not believing in its existence. "They say its global warming, but it was so cold yesterday" said the President of U.S.A., Donald Trump (2016). Now what is global warming? Global warming is a phenomenon which is caused by the increase number of green house gasses (CO2, methane) in the atmosphere creating a blanket and trapping the atmosphere. One important factor to remember is understand that many species of plants and animals may not be able to adapt to the rapid climate change and may already be on the path of extinction. (Mice Report, 2013)  

Shaw Conference Center is the first of its kind in Canada to receive a green key level 5 status (Green Key Global, a leading international environmental certification body evaluating sustainable venue operations) and are also BOMA Best certified. They have come up with a standard Sustainable toolkit which covers steps to be taken before, during and after the event. The steps are not very elaborate and are still not followed by companies. Some steps include promoting travel with low environmental impacts to and from your event. Send out invitations and event information electronically, instead of using paper and incase use of paper is required using recycled paper is a must. When selecting locations one must keep in mind that the property selected is also eco-friendly and have equal importance of sustainability. (Hix House in Peurto Rico is an ideal example as it does not have any air conditioners but is constructed in a way that amplifies cross ventilation. If possible, marketing products like banners and advertisement boards must be of recycled products. While choosing a menu, opting for local vendors is imperative as it boosts local economy and also controls carbon emissions that occurs when one orders from an international vendor. Even alcohol wise, contacting local brewers and distilleries would result in fresher products and in-turn promote a local brand. 

There are several online guideline similar to Shaw Conference Center that provide guidelines as to how one can be more environmentally sustainable. Even carbon emission tracker like TeraPass provides you with an online carbon footprint calculator. It is advisable to understand the needs of these reports and calculators that you cannot manage what you do not measure.

1.   What other elaborate strategies you can take up to make your event sustainable?

For example, promoting bi-cycles to travel locally (The whole of Denmark has 60%of its population riding bi-cycles)

2.   How low can the carbon footprints and waste disposal reach? Is it possible for properties to reach a 0 status level?