EWEA (European Wind Energy Association) sees sustainability as an ongoing journey and is continually striving to improve on the integration of sustainability within the association.
It has adopted the MCI Sustainable Event Management (SEM) framework to provide a structure for the sustainable organisation of events, including EWEC (European Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition) and EOW (European Offshore Wind), and is currently working towards BS8901 Sustainable Event Management System compliance.
EWEA contracted MCI sustainability services to help assess, develop strategy and advise on the operational integration of sustainability into EWEA’s events. As such, EWEA is using the MCI Sustainable Event Management strategic framework to guide a structured approach and measurable outcomes. This system is guiding the organisation into making the events compliant with BS8901 Sustainable Event management system in the future.
A few examples of sustainable practices put in place for EWEC2010
- Congress bags were made from recycled materials, menus included low carbon vegetarian options, and the venue and hotels were expected to observe recycling practices.
- In anticipation of EWEC 2010, EWEA event planners experienced 50 man-hours of training on both Health and Safety and sustainable event management systems.
- All leftover food from the event was donated to a local food bank at the end of each day.
- The carpet used for the event was sent to Czestochowa city where it will be used to produce slippers.
- EWEA’s offi cial charity, the KORU Foundation, is also benefi ting from the success of its events. For each participant, EWEA donates Ð1 to support their renewable energy projects. So far, the foundation has already received Ð10,400 from EOW2009 and EWEC2010.