Background

The United Nations presented The Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2030 which shares an extensive blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. Their 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urgently calls for action globally to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. As a community and organiser of events, we acknowledge that we have a duty of care to both present and future generations. Consequently, we must strive for societal and environmental benefits.

SPNHC BHL & NatSCA conference 2022 aims to make a positive difference to sustainability and has adopted the following Sustainability and event-minimum Policy to be applied to our conference to reduce adverse environmental, social and economic impacts and make positive contributions. This policy works towards the following UN Sustainable Development goals: good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; responsible social consumption.  We will publicly report on our accomplishment and progress at the end of the conference.

Goals

This Policy is designed to clearly identify the minimum requirements for event organisers in relation to the planning, implementation and evaluation:

In-person Events

Aim: Working with the PCO, venue, local community and delegates to make sustainable choices to minimise our carbon impact and minimise waste while remaining COVID safe.

Ask about the availability of recycling (paper, cardboard, organics, plastic, glass and aluminium) at the venue and ensure it is operating effectively.

Request no single-use plastic bottled water as part of the catered event.  Encourage delegates to bring a refillable water bottle and provide water drinking stations.

Request leftover food and event materials be donated, where possible, to avoid food waste.

Request reusable service-ware or biodegradable disposable alternatives for all meals and breaks.

Choose local and seasonal products for food, where possible, and offer more plant-based options in the catering.

Consider sustainable procurement for conference goods and services: using locally manufactured products and services, and reusable where possible (i.e. cloth bag instead of plastic).

Going “paperless” through use of new social networking technologies and a conference app

Minimising the usage of non-reusable items (i.e. promotional flyers) and maximise those that are reusable (i.e. reusable banners and signs).  When it can’t be avoided, produce these locally and ensure printed materials are on recycled paper and PVC free, 100% recyclable, and use eco-solvent or latex inks.

Ask the venue to turn off lighting and equipment overnight. Choose LED lighting where possible.

Virtual Events

Aim: Ensure that delegates have access to the conference virtually, while being aware of the impact of screen time.

Include activities that support delegate health and wellbeing – promote access to the outdoors, provide periodic breaks, or reduce overall delegate screen-time within the framework of a hybrid event.

Provide accessibility information for the virtual event platform.

Event Delegates

Aim: Provide easy options for delegates to consider sustainability and to make sustainable choices for their own well-being as well as the wider world.

Plan venues and social programmes with travel in mind, encourage delegates to walk, ride share or use public transport to and from the event.  Provide a shuttle where possible.

Share walking maps from hotel to venue with delegates.

Consider walking tours as delegate activities.

Give delegates free time within the conference programme to rejuvenate.

Provide information to delegates about the sustainable practices and encourage them to do what they can.