The Practical Realities of Delivering a Sustainability Program

AIPC – Singapore, July 2008

Reality

Green is Good

Meetings can negatively impact the environment.

Facilities can negatively impact the environment.

Reality

‘Not meeting’ is not a realistic or acceptable way to address the environmental impacts of meetings.

Equally, it is not realistic or acceptable to ‘not address’ the environmental impacts of meetings.

RealityKey pressures:

Market demand and expectation Competition Communities and governments are

demanding and taking action, and It’s the “right thing to do”.

So, what can be done?

Build Better BuildingsExample: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

6 Star - Green Star environmental rating awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia

Advanced energy management systems; blackwater treatment system; water efficient fixtures; enhancements for indoor air quality; use of FSC certified timber

Build Better BuildingsExample: BT Convention Centre (ACC Liverpool)

BREEAM Rating – “Very Good” from Britain’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

Sustainable elements include wind turbines; rainwater harvesting; half of the CO 2 emissions of a traditional building.

Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre ExpansionVancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre Expansion

VCEC Expansion Green Building Features

2.4 hectare planted roof Seawater heating and cooling On-site grey and black water recycling system Natural lighting and ventilation Energy management technology Marine habitat in foundation Expansion being built to qualify for LEED Gold

Certification Public plaza, walkway, bikeway

When building isn’t an option…

Take advantage of upgrade opportunities Replace older, inefficient light equipment Add occupancy sensors for lights & fans Enhance daylight sensing control systems Upgrade HVAC systems Upgrade to energy efficient equipment

Focus on operating practices & standards

Focus on the operation

Confirm the audiences Clients, stakeholders, critics of the

meetings industry

Assess current situation Identify available infrastructure resources Identify current practices in waste

minimization, energy/water conservation, emissions controls.

Focus on the operation

Evaluate against objectives or identify objectives Compliance with regulations? Essentials? Mid-pack? Leader?

Verification & Measurement Quantifying efforts: for clients, for self Designations, formal recognition, articulated

standards

Budget Required for immediate and long-term needs

Engage Staff & Suppliers A senior management “champion” A cross-functional Green Committee An on-staff “Green Specialist”

Eg: QCCC’s Eco-Advisors Include senior level staff and suppliers –

especially housekeeping and food & beverage Inform & educate staff, early and often Introduce practices that involve and benefit

them directly

Operating & Building Practices Practice green procurement

Know your vendors Consider environmental, social, economic

impacts of goods & services Consider the life-cycle of the product All being equal for value & quality, choose the

sustainable good or service

Operating & Building Practices Recycle as extensively as possible

Traditional paper, glass, cans Organics Plastics, wood, metal, light bulbs, batteries, Electronic equipment & devices

Use recycled products Paper, plastics, fabrics and others

Operating & Building Practices Minimize waste

Schedule HVAC Switch to energy efficient equipment; unplug

equipment not in use Reduce lighting where safe and possible Adjust standards for printing – eliminate

where possible, double-sided, vegetable-based inks, minimize margins, recycled paper, FSC certified.

Operating & Building Practices Housekeeping

Non-toxic, environmentally safe cleaning solutions and soaps, paper products made from post-consumer material, biodegradable garbage bags

Food & Beverage Fresh, seasonal, local, organic Re-usable dishes, cutlery, linens Service in bulk; minimize portion packs

Operating & Building Practices Emissions Reduction

Short-term & long-term initiatives

Renewable Energy Certificates & Offsetting REC’s as good as using Green Power Carbon Footprinting – use an expert GHG Accounting Standards – ISO 14064-1; WRI GHG

Protocol Voluntary Carbon Standard (www.v-c-s.org) Effective as part of a larger strategy

Zero Waste & Zero Carbon Near-zero is reality Requires resources and budget

Client Green Practices

The Other Half of the Equation: Identify & promote the meeting’s green

commitment Promote the facility’s green practices Allocate budget for initiatives Carbon footprint the meeting Minimize waste brought into the facility Minimize waste generated by conference

activities

Client Green Practices Use products made from recyclable materials Go “digital” at each opportunity Provide timely and accurate program information

for HVAC scheduling Agree to modify HVAC expectations and promote

with attendees Implement an exhibitor program that focused on

re-useable exhibitry, signage and banners and reduced hand-outs and other give-aways

Client Green Practices Choose local and seasonal items for menus Guarantee accurate numbers for meals to reduce

over-production Choose china, flatware, glasses over disposables Accept water, juices and condiments served in

bulk rather than individual portions Choose local and seasonal for floral décor Offer opportunities for individual delegates to

purchase off-sets

Social Sustainability Part of an overall Sustainability Strategy

Eg: ExCEL Centre’s recent CSR report

Ranges from local donations, high profile community involvement to ‘quiet’ evidence of commitment Eg: serving fair trade/shade grown coffee

Increases profile, awareness & support Offers opportunities to include clients

To Certify or Not to Certify Sept. 2007 – 59% respondents to AIPC’s

Sustainability Survey indicated plans to certify

Enhances credibility, provides goals, allows for comparatives

AIPC Quality Standards

To Certify or Not to Certify

Some familiar examples: ISO Green Globe LEED Green Star

Choose for relevance, “recognizability”, attainability

Also consider local and regional designations Future Meetings Industry certification

Practical Realities

Position within local context Position within the meetings industry Supports business objectives Long-term infrastructure support

ResourcesSustainability www.sustainablebusiness.com (e-newsletter) www.carbontrust.co.uk (1 example, many others) www.epa.gov (US Environmental Protection Agency) www.ec.gc.ca (Environment Canada) www.standardsuk.com (British Standards Institute) www.grn.com (Global Recycling Network) www.direct.gov.uk (Environment & Greener Living – UK) www.fsc.org (Forest Stewardship Council) www.grrn.org/zerowaste/articles/tzc.html (Grass Roots Recycling) www.zerowaste.co.nz (Zero Waste New Zealand) www.worldgbc.org (World Green Building Council) www.ecobusinesslinks.com (Green Directory) www.terrachoice.com (6 Sins of Greenwashing)

Resources

Meetings Industry: Members of JMIC www.themeetingsindustry.org

AIPC, IAPCO, ICCA COCAL, MPI, SITE European Cities Marketing

Green Meetings Industry Council www.greenmeetings.info

CIC Green Meetings Report www.conventionindustry.org