Greening the World Congress and the Climate Legacy Initiative

Vision of a "green event"

The vision of a green event is to reduce the consumption of natural resources, avoid damage to the local and global environment, protect biodiversity and human health, reduce waste to a minimum, take ecological, social and economic aspects into account for future-oriented city development and offer sustainable development options to the local people, their environment and economy. This last point is an essential part of the greening legacy and it highlights that there should be no negative impacts on local inhabitants. It is also important to realize that the greening of an event is an on-going and continuous process and not just an isolated once-off activity. It is crucial that event greening involves incorporating sustainable development principles into all levels of event organization and implementation.

Benefits of a "green event"

Event hosting can be used as a medium for a host city to initiate sustainable development programs which will have long-term local economic, social and environmental benefits. Greening an event also has direct financial cost savings for the various role players. This is mostly achieved by reducing energy and water costs (through reduction in use and efficient technology), encouraging waste separation and recycling (which contributes to the development of local recyclers, and stimulates local economies) and through purchasing local products.

These gatherings also provide unique opportunities to raise awareness around sustainable development issues and thus encourage people to change their perceptions and behavior and make responsible decisions that can reduce the negative impact on the environment and society.

Greening the World Congress 2009

The City of Edmonton and ICLEI are closely working together to ensure that the organization and management of the World Congress 2009 is planned and undertaken in such a way that it demonstrates best environmental practices, and makes a significant contribution to enabling sustainable development and local community benefits in Edmonton. The greening process aims at minimizing the negative environmental and social impacts of the event, at increasing awareness regarding the importance of sustainable development in Edmonton and at ensuring that a positive greening legacy will be left behind.

ICLEI Climate Legacy Initiative

The ICLEI Climate Legacy Initiative aims to reduce the environmental impacts of ICLEI’s events. As part of the initiative, a carbon offset payment is included in the congress fee to compensate for CO₂ emissions from congress-related air travel. This offset payment is calculated according to participants’ average distance traveled by region. The funding generated through the initiative will serve to finance CO₂ reduction projects.

More information on the greening activities of ICLEI's World Congress 2009 will be available soon.

photo credit: Kristin Gruending