Green Conference Organizer Walks The Talk On Sustainability

It seems as if everyone is “going green” these days. Of course, that’s a good thing–especially when it is done correctly. Green Power Conferences, a group who offers professionally organized events around the world focusing on the sustainability sector, is part of a growing trend in green event planning. Not only does the company coordinate events that promote sustainable business practices, but it does it in an environmentally responsible way.

Green Power Conferences’ green policy includes a commitment to contribute 5% of its annual income to charitable causes, a vow to only work with eco-friendly industries, and a pledge to use environmentally sustainable strategies to operate its offices and conferences.

According to their website, they take the following actions to make their conferences green:

- We offset the GHG generated by running all conferences
- We take conferences to the markets to minimise intercontinental travel
- We offset all staff travel and attempt to offset the travel of all event attendees
- Our badges are sourced from sustainable materials and are reused where possible
- We have eliminated the use of paper in our conference documentation and substitute with reusable memory sticks
- We seek to use green venues wherever possible and encourage venues to source locally produced food with low food miles
- We look to educate and pressure venues into minimising their own footprint
- Shipping to Green Power’s conferences is minimized by printing locally
- Any items we bring to conferences (pads/pens/bags) are made from recycled materials

I, for one, am looking forward to witness its forward-thinking event planning tactics at one of its upcoming conferences. As part of the organization’s Corporate Climate Response Series, the forthcoming Corporate Water Footprinting event is scheduled for December 2-3, 2008 in San Francisco. The event’s central question is “How can you measure and reduce your company’s water use and build a sustainable water strategy?” and will explore the risks and benefits of water management. Other issues such as water consumption monitoring, water conservation techniques, and adaptations to supply shortages will also be covered at the event.

Water Program Managers, CSR Directors, and Supply Chain Managers from various multinational corporations–such as The Coca-Cola Company, MillerCoors, GE Water & Process Technologies–are among the dozens of speakers scheduled to participate in the two-day event.

In addition to organizing events on Corporate Water Footprinting, Green Power Conferences also provides interactive events specializing in Renewables, Biofuels, Carbon Markets and Climate Change Management. Other upcoming events include Carbon Markets Africa in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2008, Solar Innovation & Investment in New York City in December 2008, and World Biofuels Markets in Brussels, Belgium in March 2009.

It’s good to know that corporations who have contributed much to the demise of our world’s natural resources have a forum to discuss and share methods on how to become sustainable businesses and reduce their climate impact. Doing it in an environmentally responsible way is also a plus.

Photos: Green Power Conferences