Alina Oprea • 28 July, 2023 at 2:20 PM
On International Climate Emergency Day (22 July), the Climate Change Summit (CCS), the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to addressing the challenges of climate change, presented the carbon footprint report of its first edition in 2022. The report details the measures implemented by the organizers to reduce their environmental impact as well as their long-term commitments, thus providing an example of best practices in inspiring real and positive environmental actions applicable to large public events. Green Forum is proud to join the 2023 edition as a media partner.
The first edition of the event, with over 1200 participants, both physically and online (without taking into account the number of online viewers who watched the event on partner platforms), generated 66,189 t CO2e. Each participant contributed, on average, only 55 kg CO2e, significantly less than the international average of between 500 and 1,500 kg CO2e, according to a recent study.
The results of Carbon Expert's carbon footprint assessment of the event took into account direct and indirect emissions from sources such as transport (guests, participants, goods), hospitality services (hotels, restaurants, catering), energy consumption, and waste management. The report is available at climate-change-summit.org/the-footprint-of-change/
In order to lessen its environmental impact, CCS has integrated technologies into the organization of the event that allows online participation, which considerably reduces the emissions associated with travel. It has also made direct commitments to the selection of sustainable printed materials, rental, reuse, and donation of event stage decor, minimalist website design and choice of green servers, encouragement of public transport, and selection of restaurants and hotels for guests based on the shortest distance from the event venue, etc. Indirect commitments have also been made, such as waste collection partnerships, the inclusion of electric and hybrid cars in the event fleet, and digital promotion, among other sustainable practices.
”When BRD set out to create this large-scale event with a national and regional impact - the Climate Change Summit - we aimed at having an event with a low carbon footprint, in addition to quality content and top-notch guests. We have succeeded to a large extent and it is a path that we will continue on, aware of the responsibility that falls to us and the fact that we can represent a reference that we want to replicate by as many as possible, in various activities, at a smaller or larger scale”, said Flavia Popa, BRD Secretary General.
”People tend to pass the buck to the system, forgetting that the system is us. The publication of our report shows that even the smallest things can have a significant impact. Yes, environmentally friendly decisions come at a cost, but when there are enough of us, the cost will come down. Our actions as a Climate Change Summit organizer have reduced the average per participant to just 55 kg of CO2e, which is equivalent to driving a car about 220 km. That's 10 times less carbon footprint than the international average per participant for a three-day conference, calculated between 500 and 1500 kg CO2e by the University of Freiburg,” says Roxana Cojocaru, Director of Climate Change Summit.
In line with its commitment to sustainability, CCS has limited negative effects on the environment as much as possible through the GS5099 Greentech [1] to reduce emissions, for instance, through PET recycling in Buzau, Romania. This program ensures the negative impact the event did not manage to eliminate is accounted for and reduced which highlights CCS' commitment to operating in an environmentally conscious manner.
By publishing the carbon footprint report, the Climate Change Summit aims to inspire participants, partners, and society at large to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to wider systemic change toward a more sustainable future.
Concern for the environment, but especially the identification of sustainable solutions, applicable at the local and regional levels, to the challenges brought by climate change, is the focus of the Climate Change Summit, which brings together in Bucharest, from 19 to 20 October, renowned representatives of the international community, topics of major interest for the future of the Planet and dynamic debates on sustainability, economy, agriculture, environment, technology, and education, in a cross-sectoral commitment to address the global climate crisis. The event is open to the public and registration is open at climate-change-summit.org.
Climate Change Summit 2023 is organized by Social Innovation Solutions, together with BRD Groupe Société Générale, as founding partner, Auchan Romania as a strategic partner, Mastercard as a climate partner, and with the support of Société Générale Global Solution Center, European Climate Foundation and EPG. Organizational partners include the Concordia Employers Confederation, the Foreign Investors Council, Romanian Business Leaders, the Coalition for the Circular Economy, the Sustainability Embassy, WWF Romania, EFdeN, the European Institute of Romania, the Leaders Foundation, Envisia, Europe Direct, GEYC, the Romanian Youth Council, Carbon Expert, Infoclima, Valea Verde, Global Shapers Bucharest Hub, Solutions, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Romania, the Romanian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.