I have been asked to conduct a pro bono environmental footprint of a conference for a not for profit organisation. The conference will be held in a regional city, about 150 km from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with about 300-500 delegates. We had thought of covering at least energy and waste, but could include other elements. We would like to be able to survey delegates at the conference (hopefully using tablets, so that we can minimise data entry) to find out their travel arrangements, which, of course will be a large component of the energy use. Can anyone suggest a methodology to do such a footprint?
Thanks
Pat Armstrong
Pat Armstrong Consulting
Melbourne
Victoria, Australia
Patricia Armstrong
Australia
Environmental footprint of a conference
Sign in or Sign up to comment
Thanks for this advice Lisa. We will certainly be looking at the waste component of the conference
Does anyone have suggestions of how we could estimate or calculate the energy used in travelling to the conference? We will be able to survey delegates in the breaks,so gathering data should be relativity easy. We will have students wandering with ipads to gather responses to a simple questionnaire.
Thanks
Pat
Patricia Armstrong
Australia
At the Population Health Congress in NZ recently; they calculated travel energy using on on-line calculator (sorry didn't note which one). There were also suggesting deelgates bought carbon offsets. The whole conference was also catered vegetarian, byo satchels and water bottles (with half a dozen drink fountains around the premises)to reduce carbon footprint.
Peter Tait
Australia
Thanks Peter. I have followed up with the conference organiser. When I learn a bit more, I will add a new post.
Thanks
Pat
Patricia Armstrong
Australia
I have just attended two conferences and both seemed to have a huge foot print. Is there a conference foot print measuring kit? Or can we develop one? Another area this can be applied to is the hospitality area - especially restaurants.
Kristin Wohlers
Barossa Bushgardens
Australia
In Chicago we have the Green Event App http://www.greeneventapp.org/, which is a place for conference sites and other businesses to register (so clients can know their green chops) but also has this section: "Learn how to apply standards and certifications to sustainable meetings and events."
Marjorie Isaacson
CNT Energy
United States
This (a conference footprint measuring kit) is certainly a great idea Kristin. Haven't seen one yet. Would be valuable. I might assist developing one but can't lead such a project.
Peter Tait
Australia
I will have a look at this - might be an idea to adapt it to Australia. Thank you
Kristin Wohlers
Barossa Bushgardens
Australia
A little out of your neighborhood... I was formerly involved with a conference of 4000. We hired the Leonardo Academy (http://www.leonardoacademy.org/) to calculate the amount of offsets needed to make the event CO2-neutral. Not being directly involved in that aspect, I do not know the cost or specific methodology. Good luck.
joe sabel
United States
There has been a Sustainable Events guide developed here in Queensland from a waste management point of view:
http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/EnvironmentWaste/Waste/Documents/Sustainable%20Events%20Guide%20-%20Waste.pdf
Sandy McBride
Maroochy Waterwatch
Australia
Thank you, Sandy, for sharing the sustainable events guide. It's an excellent document which I will be sharing with my colleagues throughout the state of Vermont here in the northeastern United States. We each have to write a solid waste implementation plan for our districts for the next five years; sustainable event planning has to be included.
With appreciation,
Mary
Mary O'Brien
Recycling Coordinator
Southern Windsor/Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District
United States
Thanks Sandy for this great report. Unfortunately, we have been asked to look at the impact of a conference about which we have no control in the organisation and we will be looking mainly at the energy impact of the conference. Has anyone tried to measure the energy impact of a conference yet?
Pat
Patricia Armstrong
Australia
Pat
The US Green Building Council has been doing these measurements for their conferences over the years. Prior to this year's meeting they published the 2013 Sustainability Report for the GreenBuild meeting. I attach it for your reference.
Mike Burke
Mike Burke
Colgate-Palmolive
United States
...
Hi Pat
I conducted a waste audit of a conference this year on the Tweed Coast for 206 delegates. The methodology was very basic as it was a little last minute and I wasn't granted access to delegates or the back of house. I was provided estimates from the kitchen regarding food and food preparation waste and the bar/cafe regarding disposable coffee cups and waste from the cocktail party. The conference room offered no opportunity for recycling and as it turned out, the facility only recycles cardboard. Big waste footprint - but it planted a seed for change. Good luck and I'm heartened to hear a conference organiser is taking this stuff seriously!!
Lisa Flower
CEO
Waste to Resource
Australia