CALL FOR CHANGE
Martin Fullard shares key findings from CI Group ’ s sustainable focused event
very detail must be thought about . We know we have to travel ; we need to explore , but we can minimise the impact of the way we do it to the bare minimum , right to the base level .” These were the opening remarks of David Watt , CEO of the CI Group , at the organisation ’ s Changing Behaviours Event .
The event took place in Kew Gardens ’ striking Nash Conservatory in late October , the aim of which was to offer tangible , practical guidance on impact reduction and calculation . For the events industry , the prospect of change is a daunting one , including from where to start . When travel is cited as being the biggest element of an event ’ s carbon footprint , the pressure mounts on where savings can be made .
What can individuals do ?
Before we heard from a panel of experienced professionals on how they have adapted their working practices and policies , author , journalist ( and in the eyes many , adventurer ) Simon Reeve shared his experiences to add context .
“ The biggest issue facing us as a species is the environment and how we are destroying our world ,” Reeve said . “ We have created a climate emergency , a biodiversity emergency , a plastic waste emergency .”
Reeve shared how indigenous groups he had met in South America and East Africa told him how their environment and subsequently their climate had changed , leading to floods , famine , and breakdown in ecosystems . “ They ’ re the canary in the coalmine ,” he said . Methane , he added , was one of the biggest causes of greenhouse gases . “ I would like more to be done about methane – it ’ s 80 times more potent than CO2 in warming the planet . We should be helping developing countries phase out coal fire
• Eat more sustainably
• Travel more responsibly
• Reduce waste – aim for zero to landfill
• Be better at insulating homes and factories
• More long-term thinking – ‘ sustainability through longevity ’
• Ensure that savings and pensions are invested in sustainability conscious organisations . It ’ s 20 times more effective than cutting back on travel and going veggie
“ The biggest issue facing us as a species is the environment and how we are destroying our world . We have created a climate emergency , a biodiversity emergency , a plastic waste emergency .”
– Simon Reeve
power stations . We need to develop cleaner , greener technologies – for instance producing more green steel . The UK low carbon economy is already worth £ 200bn and employing 1.2m people .”
Reeve called on every business to become greener . “ It ’ s good for business . It can ’ t be a tick box exercise ; the public will see through it ,” he said .
Corporate view
A panel discussion chaired by Conference News editorial director Martin Fullard covered carbon calculation , untangling jargon , and sustainable investment , and was testament to the fact that things are changing , but progress will remain incremental .
“ We need to get there in small steps and make it easy for consumers to understand ,” said Elaine Cook , UK marketing director , Intel . She added that www . conference-news . co . uk