Climate Friendly, the company responsible for helping make AIME climate neutral, has confirmed that AIME neutralised a not insignificant 1292 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions created from the event, spending in excess of $30,000 in offsets in the process.
Climate Friendly’s Jessica Miller told mice.net Climate Friendly’s calculations were based on best practice calculation methodologies using the most up-to-date emission factors and the data provided by the client.
She stresses it is important to note that there is as yet no formal scientific or regulatory definition of a climate/carbon neutral event.
“The term ‘climate neutral’ is a trademark of Climate Friendly and at the time of the AIME 08 calculation meant that all emissions within the system boundaries for the event were neutralised,” she said.
Included in the calculation were pre-event, event and post-event emissions associated with electricity, flights (hosted buyers and staff), paper consumption, accommodation, meals and coach travel.
“I implore you to recognise that while there is a heightened awareness of climate change, cultural shift is another issue and first steps need to be made in a way that encourages and not discourages people to take action (more often than not these actions incur costs that people voluntarily adopt),” Ms Miller adds.
“Rather than a target of criticism, I congratulate AIME 08 for providing more sustainable alternatives within the events, conference and meeting space and [they should be] applauded for their initiative – after all, this initiative was entirely voluntary, transparent and done with the best of intentions in the absence of any formal regulation, domestic or international guidelines.
“Unfortunately for the environment there are still no ‘carbon cops’ to enforce emissions reductions and force people to adopt strategies at the major polluter, let alone small business or events level. We welcome the introduction of tough regulation to come into place as soon as possible and in the interim are working with partners such as AIME to show what can be done and also work toward improving systems.”
But was it carbon neutral?
Head of the Carbon Reduction Institute, Rob Cawthorne, who attended AIME, says without the inclusion of major emissions factors of waste, especially attendee transport, plus other minor sources such as promotional products supplied by exhibitors AIME could not be classified as carbon neutral.
“Specifically looking at attendee transport, because AIME occurred, thousands of people travelled down to Melbourne specifically to attend the event. As these emissions were not included in the event’s carbon footprint it is impossible to argue that AIME had a neutral effect on the climate, which is what the terms carbon neutral and climate neutral imply,” Mr Cawthorne said.
“We believe that to call an event carbon or climate neutral all attendants must be certain that their visit to [the] event will cause no additional impact on our climate. To make an event carbon neutral you need to include all transport, food consumption and any promotional products they receive, plus anything else that because of the event causes an impact on climate change.”
Ms Miller said AIME organisers were extremely proactive in promoting their desire to reduce the impact of the event on the environment before, during and after it occurred.
“AIME promoted its policies via its website, communicated the changes to exhibitors via emails and in e-newsletters, [and] introduced environmental stand awards to encourage exhibitors to adopt environmental guidelines.
“AIME also communicated to potential attendees through e-newsletters, a widespread international media campaign, through advertising and via our website.
“In addition AIME worked with suppliers to reduce waste. AIME changed its cleaning contractor to a company that offered environmental solutions to waste sorting and disposal.”
Ms Miller said Climate Friendly was working with the ACCC and the Total Environment Centre in an effort to help strengthen regulation of carbon/climate neutral claims, protect consumers, and provide individuals and businesses with the tools to take meaningful action on climate change and help transition to a low-carbon economy.
“It is important to again note that the emissions reduction movement in Australia is entirely voluntary and that initiatives taken by AIME with the support of Climate Friendly were done in the spirit of leadership and legitimate concern for the environment and done in the hope that others would adopt AIME’s lead.”
Ms Miller said in light of recent developments with the ACCC (see article page one relating to SAAB), Climate Friendly continues to evaluate, modify, refine and discuss industry issues, “and are advocates of imposing the highest possible standards which we believe will develop the best possible outcomes for the planet – a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
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