RICHARD JOHN SPEAKS TO MELISSA RADU , DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AT EXPLORE EDMONTON CORPORATION , ABOUT HOW THE REGION IS LEADING THE WAY
n August 2021 , Edmonton became the first city in Western Canada to join the Global Destination Sustainability Movement , which benchmarks participating cities from across the globe on current social and environmental performance .
Recommendations from the report are already being implemented , including electric buses , e-scooters , and the newest incoming Light Rail Transit ( LRT ) expansion that provides visitors with lower-carbon transportation options .
It ’ s no surprise , Edmonton has been on the sustainability trail before it was fashionable ; the city built the world ’ s largest composting facility and then an aerobic digester that deals with 40,000 tonnes of organic waste annually , producing highquality compost while generating renewable heat and electricity . Meanwhile , the Waste Management Centre of Excellence has been set up by the regional water company with partners including the University of Alberta , acting as a global centre of research excellence in ensuring the effective use of the most precious resource .
professionals , from all different walks , working – and working urgently – together .
Anyone who works in events knows that we are incredibly good at coming together to make things happen , despite all obstacles . I believe we can do the same when it comes to controlling adverse impacts . Events also present this amazing opportunity to reach more people about sustainable lifestyle choices . For instance , if I can encourage one person in my life to walk a little more often , say no to singleuse-plastics , or eat plant-based more frequently , that ’ s great . But if I can share that same message with a room of 2,000 attendees or , better yet , show them the lasting impact of those choices , then the change is exponential .
So , as Edmonton lays out it ’ s green credentials for the global meetings industry to see , we asked Explore Edmonton ’ s director of sustainability , Melissa Radu , a few key questions .
Why do you think sustainability is so important when it comes to the business events industry ?
When I look around at events , I see meaningful gatherings , connections , new relationships , and sharing of knowledge happening all around me . On the other hand , events have an equal potential to generate a lot of waste and emissions . Our industry has huge potential to create a more sustainable world , but to create lasting change , we must make that change from within the industry with event
Melissa Radu
6 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD