If you don’t measure your carbon footprint, how are you going to reduce it? The Conventa case
Once again Conventa gives us a small lesson in responsible management in terms of event sustainability. In partnership with Climate Partner and through a holistic management of all the processes involved in the realization of the fair, they managed not only to accurately measure the impact of the carbon footprint, but also to identify the high CO2 cost of transportation, which allowed them to reduce the impact by 8.9% compared to the 2022 edition. Not much of a joke, considering that the carbon footprint of this international event is comparable to that generated daily by 5,415 inhabitants of Germany and to traveling 387,129 kilometers by car, according to the organization’s own data. These are some of the lessons learned during the process.
The calculation of the carbon footprint covers a broad spectrum of emissions. This year, the organizers made a great effort to collect data with the help of 19 partners. Gorazd Čad, co-founder of Conventa, noted, “The timely inclusion of partners in the carbon footprint reduction process was a must. A crucial tool for measuring the carbon footprint was our Green Manual, which has become something of a bible for sustainable event organization, as it offers a whole host of tips and practical measures. Every year we are able to achieve more with the help of the project partners, with whom we are gradually learning how to collect all the data to calculate the carbon footprint.”
Uses the data obtained for the optimization of subsequent events.
According to the organizers, the calculated carbon footprint can become an example for similar events. It will also enable Conventa to optimize future activities. In order to calculate the carbon footprint, it was crucial to collect accurate information on the transportation of attendees, hotels and activities.
This year’s calculation includes individual data from all attendees obtained through surveys. Thus, all measured data are accurate and reliable.
The organizers stressed that calculating the carbon footprint is only the beginning. The main objective of the calculation is to identify the activities that generate the most greenhouse gas emissions. Other steps and measures explained in the Green Conventa Manual are fundamental and are a practical guide for all event organizers and in brief, it comprises:
SUSTAINABLE CRITERIA: external recommendations for partners and subcontractors covering 15 segments of the event organization. Currently, the segments include 266 criteria.
SUSTAINABLE MEASURES: detailed annual measures that event organizers should implement and internal suggestions that will help event organizers prepare an action plan in seven segments.
Gorazd Čad explained the sustainable aspirations of the event: “A prerequisite for a sustainable transformation is a systematic approach, connecting all stakeholders and coordinating activities. To transform events in a sustainable way, organizers must make a transparent commitment, identify targets, measure their results and cooperate extensively. When organizing sustainable events, organizers must take a holistic approach and consider all aspects of an event. Above all, it is crucial to measure the carbon footprint of an event. If we don’t measure it, we can’t improve it.
Events as loudspeakers of change
Conventa is a great example of how events are part of the problem, but can also be part of the solution: the organizers stressed that Conventa is a facilitator and driver of change in the meetings sector in Ljubljana and the region.
It fosters positive development and is an ideal test laboratory for innovation to achieve sustainable and regenerative transformation. Organizers see Conventa not only as a means to achieve steady growth or reap multiplying financial rewards, but as a platform that generates prosperity for the event organizing community.
Source – https://www.eventoplus.com/noticias/si-no-mides-la-huella-de-carbono-como-la-vas-a-reducir-el-caso-conventa/
