Green Lights

Big events are great fun for a lot of people but they can be tough on the planet.

No one would deny that large events such as sports competitions, festivals and conferences have exciting and unique social, economic, and environmental benefits. At the same time, these events can generate considerable waste and greenhouse gases, use large amounts of energy and natural resources and have other impacts on the environment.

Globally, there is a growing awareness of the importance of delivering and hosting environmentally sustainable major events and this is becoming a standard for major sporting and cultural events worldwide.

The vast majority of New Zealanders – 83 percent – are aware that the world is facing significant environmental problems because of climate change. More than 32 percent are interested in environmentally responsible products and services. As the number of environmentally aware New Zealanders continues to grow, so will public expectations for events that are more environmentally responsible.

Designing events for sustainability will:
Improve the experience of your participants
A well-organised ‘greener’ event will improve, rather than detract, from your attendees’ experiences. For example, ensuring they have access to a convenient public transport system will reduce their travel time, traffic congestion,
and parking issues.

Position you as a leader
Demonstrating your environmental commitment can enhance relationships with your customers and stakeholders.

Save you money
By reducing the costs of waste disposal, energy and water.

Create legacies
By raising attendees’ awareness, inspiring behaviour change, and influencing suppliers to adopt greener practices.

Help the environment and local communities – by minimising the use of water and energy; reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste; and boosting local economies. It makes good business sense.
The biggest sporting event on a global scale the Olympic Games has recognised the importance of the environment and sustainable development, and, in 1996, added a paragraph on environmental protection to the Olympic Charter.
“[The IOC’s role with respect to the environment is:] to encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues, to promote sustainable development in sport and to require that the Olympic Games are held accordingly.” Chapter 1, Rule 2, Paragraph 13 of the Olympic Charter, in force from
7 July 2007.

While employed for the Environment Agency in London, I had the opportunity to review and input (through the Olympic Delivery Authority) to the London 2012 Energy, Climate Change and Sustainability Strategies. Sustainability underpins the London 2012 programme.

By showing how changes in the way we build, live, do business and travel could help us to live happy and healthy lives, within the resources available to us, the 2012 Games sets an example for how sustainable events and urban planning take place around the world in future.

Closer to home, New Zealand’s own music and arts festival, ‘Splore’ is leading the way in New Zealand with a vision to be the greenest summer festival in the country. At the core of Splore’s ethos is sustainability, driven by festival directors Amanda Wright’s vision for the planet.
“An event of this nature has the potential to leave a nasty carbon footprint from transport, energy and waste,”
she says.
“We’ve worked hard to establish sustainable processes, from our office practices, to the festival site and with our sponsors and suppliers. We also work closely with the local community and businesses.” Amanda's aim is to be a zero waste event in a cradle-to-cradle concept where everything bought on-site is put back in the system in a positive way.
What positive mark can your event leave with people, places and the planet?

Rebecca Mills
www.ministryofgreen.co.nz