“Every major event is one really big, wonderful celebration. But it becomes an even bigger celebration if it leaves only beautiful memories behind.” (Cene Prevc, Sustainability Ambassador, Planica 2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships)
Ljubljana, 27 Aug 2024 – At the end of a summer marked by hundreds of events across Slovenia, from local to prestigious international ones, Umanotera has published a video about organising more climate-friendly events. The video aims to motivate and support the organisers of the various events and presents a diverse range of examples: Nordic skiing competitions in Planica as an example of promoting sustainable mobility for visitors, the green culinary event Kranjska dolga miza as an example of low-energy usage at the venue, climate-friendly catering made from plant-based, organic, local food at Umanotera events, support for event organisers in waste management by Ekologi brez meja, and the Conventa trade show, whose organisers use carbon footprint calculations to plan measures to reduce emissions and check their effectiveness.
In the summer of 2024, Slovenia hosted a diverse range of events in different regions, attracting both locals and tourists. The larger cities and coastal areas were particularly lively, with many cultural, music and gastronomic festivals. Before the arrival of autumn and the new season, it is time to reflect, plan and make improvements.
Events are, in principle, an opportunity to socialise and relax. But they are also a source of greenhouse gas emissions from transport, energy consumption, food and drink supply, infrastructure and waste. In the video, Gaja Brecelj, director of Umanotera, points out: “Whatever the variety of events, transport is usually the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why promoting sustainable mobility is a top priority for organising more climate-friendly events.”
Events are also often associated with significant energy consumption. Organisers of climate-friendly events choose energy-efficient venues, such as Kranj’s Khislstein Castle, where an event promoting Kranj gastronomy, Kranjska dolga miza, takes place right in the castle courtyard, and where renewable energy is supplied for lighting and powering electrical and electronic equipment.
Food is often not the biggest source of emissions, but a very visible part of the events. Organisers can introduce greener alternatives to visitors by offering plant-based, organic, local, seasonal, fair trade food and drinks, as Umanotera has done for many years. In the video, Umanotera’s Nika Tavčar points out: “Events are also a great communication channel. They are an opportunity for visitors to experience low-carbon practices and learn about their benefits. That’s why we not only offer climate-friendly food, but also remind event attendees about it in invitations and with signs at the venue.” She adds that they are also vary of ordering just the right amount of food so that there is no food waste. If there is good quality food left over after events, it never ends up in waste.
Food service is often the biggest contributor to waste at events. Plastic is the most problematic. The NGO Ekologi brez meja has therefore developed guidelines for Zero Waste events and supports organisers in waste prevention, reuse and separate waste collection.
Organising a more climate-friendly event requires managing emissions and planning measures to reduce emissions. A carbon footprint calculation can help organisers to do this. In recent years, it has been systematically measured by the Conventa trade show. Gorazd Čad, Director of Tolerance Marketing, which organises said trade show, shares his experience in the video: “By measuring the carbon footprint, we have gained a realistic picture of Conventa’s impact on climate change. This allows us to plan actions to reduce emissions in the most important areas, check their effectiveness and achieve continuous improvement.”
Yes, it is true that each event causes greenhouse gas emissions and has an impact on the environment. But at the same time, events are a great opportunity to promote sustainable practices. More climate-friendly events are also attractive to increasingly climate-conscious visitors and sponsors. And, most importantly, they are more acceptable to the communities that host them.
Umanotera
