The Australia-based mobile app Crowdcomms estimates that “a one-hour meeting for 65 people can burn around 1,000 KWh (kilowatt-hour) of energy—producing that much power requires around 500 kg of coal!”
Crowdcomms, a service provider for events, meetings and conferences, says that events and meetings can harm green aspirations whether it’s an internal sales presentation or a large trade show. “Meetings and events consume huge amounts of energy,” not to mention entailing large financial expenses.
Nobody tried, or even thought of, estimating the energy used by all the candidates during the recent Philippine elections. The total must be staggering, as not only national candidates but also local politicians, down to the level of municipal councilor, held meetings, dialogues and political rallies.
The costs of staging these events—for power, printing, paper and other essentials of meetings—would also be sizeable.
A television report said presidential candidates each visited at least 100 places throughout the Philippine archipelago during the official campaign period, but the meetings held in those areas would probably be more than twice that number.
Crowdcomms says reducing human ecological footprint needs a bit of thought, but a few easy changes can make social gatherings clean and green. It suggests some things that event hosts and organizers can do to make meetings and events environment-friendly:
Green venues: Pick those with environmental accreditation. Lots of natural light, ventilation and insulation reduce reliance on power. When power is required, choose green energy.
Venues with easy access to public transportation or closest to where most participants live will reduce the use of private vehicles. Promote recycling and reusing by asking the venue to provide waste-appropriate bins.
Better power: Choose event partners that are using energy-efficient technology and practices—caterers, event technology and entertainment providers, etc. Think whether you really need the lights on, and the air-conditioning turned to the coolest setting. At the end of the day, make sure all nonessential powered equipment is turned off.
Gentle materials: Switch to mobile technology. Mobile event apps are a great alternative to printed brochures, maps, timetables and even banner adds. Apps can also be used for event registration. Make the most of e-mail in marketing the event.
Recycle and reuse: If printed material is needed, use recycled and biodegradable paper and materials. Print on both sides of the paper. While plastic name badges may be used, collect them at the end of the event for reuse. Offer incentives for the return of unused items and make sure drop-off points are accessible.
Shout it out: Get everyone to support making your meeting or event green and clean. The green commitment should be communicated alongside event marketing, providing information people need such as where recycling bins are, energy saving tips, etc.
Greener businesses
President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016, which offers incentives to environment-friendly companies. Green businesses are expected to create green jobs or “employment that contributes to preserving or restoring the quality of the environment…”
Incentives include tax deductions and duty-free importation of equipment, in addition to fiscal and other incentives already granted by existing laws and government orders, issuances and regulations.
Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail lbolido@
inquirer.com.ph.
