Greenmiles

Hamburg / Zurich:  June 9 2009

Each and every year thousands of conferences and other events take place. For some, there is an inexistence of the question of the location, for example, when local features are the focus of the event. For others, the organizers do have a choice. Apart from the building itself, which can be satisfactory in respect to different criteria with regard to environmental protection and energy efficiency, notably international events and the place they take place in are a major issue.

The European Youth Card Association (EYCA) was exactly at this stage, which place was the most climate- friendly, when it came to organizing the arrival and departure of its participants. This organisation regularly organizes conferences for its 62 member sub-organizations who come from 40 different countries. Greenmiles was mandated to conduct a quick study and determine the carbon footprint of every participant during the EYCA yearly conference at any given place. The results were surprising and useful at the same. Depending on the venue and the headquarters of the sub organisation, emissions differ by more than a factor of 2.5. Participants travelling to let’s say Cyprus or Georgia, for the annual conference produces 66 t CO₂ emissions. On the other hand, let’s say the same group travels to Vienna, then the emissions mount to just 26 t CO₂.

Therefore the organizer is in charge here: with his decision for or against the place f the venue he largely determines the carbon footprint of an (international) Organization. However, a decision might not be as easy, since other aspects like cultural exchange may as well play an important role where the venue takes place. Nonetheless, calculating emissions may increase the awareness as well as acceptance of "climate friendly" locations.