Advito and BCD Meetings & Events’ (BCD M&E) new
emissions calculator is an ISO-certified calculator designed
for meeting planners to reduce the overall environmental impact of their
programmes.
The tool was developed in response to their clients’ needs
to factor sustainability into their event strategies, and their desire to
understand and measure the non-traditional elements contributing to overall
emissions.
Advito’s sustainable collaboration practice lead, Julien
Etchanchu, led the development of the calculator based on the consultancy’s ISO-certified
carbon emissions scale, GATE4.
“We know that the industry standard for measuring emissions
across all four travel categories isn’t granular enough to capture the true
environmental impact of a meeting or event,” said Etchanchu, “So we developed
our M&E calculator to ensure clients are getting a true picture of their
footprint. The ISO certification means that the emissions figures can be
included in annual financial reporting as recognized carbon calculations, and
that the methodologies are accurate, robust, and compliant with internationally
recognized GHG measurement and reporting standards.”
The calculator allows meeting planners to input a range of
data in the pre-event planning stage to understand the impact of their choices
and the levers they can adjust to decrease emissions. It provides a way to
drive more conscious decisions when choosing a destination, venue, and other
event design elements, but also to consider non-emissions-related impacts like
plastic use, water waste and more.
“Sustainability has been the biggest topic in the meetings
and events industry for the past year,” said Charlene Rabideau, managing director
of North America for BCD M&E. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our
clients the industry’s most robust emissions calculator that considers
traditional elements, like the venue, giveaways, and food, but also measures
the most important contributor to overall emissions – where attendees are
coming from and how they are getting there.
"We want to give meeting planners
the tools they need to look at things like economy vs. business class flights
for attendees, airport transfer options, and even percentage of vegetarian
meals, to help significantly reduce the emissions impact of their programmes.”
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
