The business platform Change for the Better organised a two-day conference Advanced Czechia 2024 on the topic of decarbonisation, circularity and innovation. The event aimed to connect sustainability leaders with managers and executives responsible for the practical implementation of action steps. The organisers wanted the conference to be more sustainable and to be able to inspire others with their approach. One priority was to measure and offset the carbon footprint of the event.
Carbon footprint and offsetting at the conference
SOLUTION
EnviTrail was commissioned to calculate the carbon footprint of the conference and compare the impact of the different measures already in the preparation phase.
- Catering Comparison of the carbon footprint of plant-based and animal-based menus.
- Participant transport Collecting data on how participants travel to the event. Includes travel by different means of transport – round trip and return as well as air travel. Calculated in accordance with the GHG Protocol, work-from-home emissions are included.
- Goods, services and organisation Purchase of goods and services within the conference includes for example: IT, projection, streaming, provision of equipment, presenters, purchase of refreshments, etc. Water consumption is also included in this category.
- Energy consumption Electricity consumption in the rented premises for both days.
- Transport of goods In addition to the transport of participants, transport of goods to the site was also considered.
- Waste Usually a difficult category to detect, it is necessary to prepare for data collection in advance. Contains data on all waste, including wastewater.
SOLUTION
To obtain data on participants’ journeys, the CO2IN team created a web-based form in which attendees entered their name, starting point of the journey and the means of transport used. More than half of all participants completed the form. Based on this data, the total carbon footprint of the event was calculated by extrapolation.
At the end of the event, attendees were presented with the carbon footprint of the conference and offered the opportunity to offset their share by purchasing CO2IN carbon certificates.
REALIZATION
Analysis and preparation
The EnviTrail team analysed possible measures to reduce the carbon footprint, such as switching from conventional to plant-based catering. CO2IN developed an intuitive form to collect data on participants’ transport and created a product to enable participants to offset their carbon footprint.
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Calculation and presentation
The carbon footprint of the event was calculated partly in advance from available data and partly online at the conference based on data on catering, energy consumption and transport of participants, transport of goods, purchase of goods and services and waste production. During the conference, data on the carbon footprint of the conference and the different components that primarily influenced it were presented.
02
Compensation
Participants could purchase CO2IN carbon certificates online via the CO2IN e-shop during the conference.
03
Conclusion
Thanks to the cooperation between Change for the Better, EnviTrail and CO2IN, it was possible not only to measure and offset the carbon footprint of the Advanced Czech Republic 2024 conference, but also to bring an innovative approach that can serve as an inspiration for other organizing teams of similar events.
04
RESULTS
Prior to the launch of the conference, expert consultations were held on compliance with the GHG Protocol and ISO 20121:2024 standards with an emphasis on minimizing social and environmental impacts. Engaging sustainable suppliers, eco-friendly alternatives (e.g. comparing paper and cloth napkins), optimizing transport to reduce emissions and deciding between purchasing and renting equipment were key. Catering was designed to be vegan based on analyses and a transparent offset partner was selected to offset the carbon footprint. These measures ensured the responsible organisation of the conference in line with modern sustainability standards.
Measurable carbon footprint
- You have obtained detailed data on carbon footprint and forwarded recommendations on how to improve future actions.
Involvement of participants
- The interactive approach drew participants into the topic and allowed them to contribute to offsetting emissions.
Positive feedback
- Clients appreciated the practical approach, the possibility to solve part of the calculations in advance and complete them interactively on the spot.
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