Blog: Sustainability the business events conundrum. Are we getting real about our environmental impact?
Are we getting real about our environmental impact?
Green washing. Green sheen. Fashionable sustainability. In business events, we’ve all done it, seen it, experienced it. We cringe, we ignore, we laugh nervously, and we hope for improvement. Yet many of us are doing very little to reduce the environmental impact of the business events we organise or attend.
Firstly, how do we define sustainability? The United Nations defined the term sustainability as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ Buckle up. This means everything you do now with your business event must consider & mitigate the impact for those ahead of you.
I know I’ve already lost some of you. The questions are, why does this matter? It doesn’t affect me or my business. I’m happy with my cardboard straws, tote bags, and keep cups.
Actually yes it does. On 2nd December 2020, the New Zealand Government made a climate emergency declaration. This will see the introduction of policy changes that will begin to affect how we do business. Starting with Government agencies, then permeating into local Government, and of course local business.
Global tourism (remember that) has been a significant contributor to climate change. According to The Carbon Footprint of Global Tourism* study by the University of Sydney in 2018, tourism accounted for 8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 – 2013. Four times more than previously estimated. Transport, accommodation, food, and shopping being the highest contributor to its footprint. So yes, it matters to the business events. But we can improve!
So what can learn from this and what can we do better?
Aotearoa New Zealand is in an unenviable position of being located at the bottom (or centre, depending on how you read a map) of the world with giant oceans between us and most continents. While getting a boat to New Zealand is not an option, there is still plenty we can do to protect our environment and reduce our carbon emissions.
Firstly, let's stop with the green washing. Let’s stop the hypocrisy and actually engage in environmentally sound practices that we can prove and measure.
If you’re a conference organiser, here are some ideas worth considering:
Minimise (or cease where possible) the use of plastics in conference or event planning. Remember plastic is ubiquitous. Nearly 80% of all plastics generated globally between 1950-2015 have ended up in landfill or in the natural environment**. Meaning oceans, deep seas, beaches, and remote islands like Aotearoa.
Before you choose an indoor venue, ask them for their sustainability policies and practices. These might include things like renewable energy, recycling of water, and controllable aircon. But don't forget proximity to public transport, access for all types of abilities, printing and electronic materials, and waste separation & management. If they measure their impact and can provide you with this information, even better.
If you’re working on an outdoor event or activity, your motto should be: reduce, recycle, re-use. Recycling is no longer enough. Circular is where we need to be.
If you are working with an independent caterer, request their sustainability procedures. Ask for water jugs and glasses, not plastic bottles. Swap those individually wrapped sweets for fruit. No disposables. Check what is seasonal, fresh and locally sourced produce. Reduce meat options, include more vegetarian. Determine how waste is separated, what goes into composting, what can be given away, and what goes into landfill.
If you’re still planning on giving away goodie bags and pens, please consider where you purchased those, and what the supply chain looks like. Support local business and local providers and choose green suppliers where possible. Also do you need to give something away?
Develop your own sustainability action plan. One that you can provide to all of your suppliers and partners. Set the expectation & encourage others to do the same.
If you’re wanting to go one step further and measure the impact of your conference, Toitū Envirocare, offer both environmental and carbon reduction certification. See their case studies for conferences.
These are relatively simple initiatives to get started, to create awareness for your suppliers and partners, and to set expectations and outcomes that will help reduce your environmental impact.
Our business events sector in Aotearoa New Zealand must address the climate crisis, and commit to an action plan that reduces our environmental impact and better values the societal gain that our industry provides.
“Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that…the future of humanity and indeed, all life on earth, now depends on us” David Attenborough.
*Lenzen, M., Sun, Y., Faturay, F. et al. The carbon footprint of global tourism. Nature Clim Change 8, 522–528 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0141-x
**Lacy, R, OECD Environment Policy Paper 12, Improving Plastics Management: Trends, policy responses, and the role of international co-operation and trade. Plastics: Production, uses, and benefits to society, 2.10/4 (2018) http://www.oecd.org/environment/waste/policy-highlights-improving-plastics-management.pdf
If you decide to jump into this thread to share your views on anthropogenic climate change, I’m not here to debate the warming of the planet. Science exists for this reason. However I will ask you this, have you done everything you can to ensure you’re leaving behind an environment that your children and grandchildren can be proud of?