The Gold Standard

for Sustainable Events Presentation by Ken Hickson

to the GEVME Xchange 12 January 2016

Sustainability has always been about the environment and the people. What does it mean to manage events through a sustainable process? How can you reduce your carbon footprint for your next event?Best practices in making events sustainable globally. Case study of a sustainable project for an event in Singapore.

The Gold Standard for Sustainable Events

“Staging an event is inherently un-sustainable”

Phil Cumming and Fiona PelhamAuthors of “Making Events More Sustainable: A Guide to BS 8901” An event is also often a

great platform to communicate sustainability to a new audience and change behaviour.

Sustainability Report and Roundtable DiscussionIndustry Leadership Initiatives by CEI Asia

Stakeholders as partners: working together as an industry to shape the future of sustainable corporate travel and events

Latest issue – Sustainability needs to be Smarter

Sustainability needs to be Smarter

“If sustainability is built in to your company values…if you are planning an event, you have to consider sustainability.“ Fiona Pelham, Sustainable Events & Positive Impact

“We’re not seeing the bread and butter of the events industry embracing the most basic of sustainability principles”.

Meegan Jones, Green Shoot Pacific

“Getting sustainable events off the ground in Asia is still a work in progress; progress is painfully slow.” Ken Hickson

The introduction of the Gold Standard for Events

London Olympics setting the new gold standard for sustainable events

London Olympics setting the new gold standard for sustainable events

ISO 20121 is an event sustainability management system –- providing guidance and guidelines to ensure that events, ranging from local celebrations to "mega events" such as the Olympic Games, leave behind a positive legacy.

1. Access2. Local area3. Energy & Water4. Transport5. Reduce and Re-use6. Responsible Sourcing7. Food & Beverage8. Keepsakes9. Make it easy to Recycle10. Health, Safety & Security

The London Olympic Games Organising Committee adopted “Sustainability” as the by-word, going beyond “green” to cover everything associated with the games. In addition to establishing and achieving the ISO 20121 standard for the management of the Games, others associated with the event also went through the process:Coca Cola did for its sponsorship management of the Torch Relay, Venue Operations, Hospitality and Merchandising.,

Where the action is on Sustainable events in Asia Pacific

TaiwanEvents and facilities ISO 20121 certified in 2013, 2014 and 2015 led by private sector with Government grants

AustraliaMany events and facilities, including Sydney Festival, have been ISO 20121 certified

Where the action is on Sustainable events in Asia Pacific

SingaporeEncouragement from STB and SACEOS, but to date only Marina Bay Sands, as a facility, has been ISO certified

Thailand The Convention and Exhibition Bureau was the first in Asia to adopt sustainable best practice using the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System. MICE operators & venues have followed suit, receiving certification, signalling a trend for the future.

Case Study:Sustainability for Events

What was done to makei Light Marina Bay Asia’s first and only sustainable light art festival:We started with the principles of a globally acceptable standard – BS8901 – which evolved into ISO 20121

2012 and 2014 events and now for 2016

Four Guiding Principles for Sustainable Action Plan for i Light Marina Bay:

• Accessible and Inclusive

• Minimise any Negative Impact on the Environment

• Leave a Positive Legacy

• Encourage Sustainable Behaviour

Objectives:• Build up and reinforce the Festival’s

position as the leading sustainable light art festival in Asia;

• Promote Marina Bay as a forward-thinking, culturally-vibrant, sustainable urban district to local and international audiences;

• Increase visitorship and spending from locals and tourists in the precinct during the Festival period;

• Raise and promote awareness of new sustainable lighting technologies to professionals, building owners, tenants and the public.

Highlights: Art Installations 2012• Metering of each of the 31 installations was

undertaken: 6568 kWh of energy used – or 3.40 tonnes of CO2 equivalent – for the three weeks of the festival (24 nights).

• Air travel for each artist/group was accounted for and freight involved in shipping materials to Singapore.

• The total energy use contributed to the carbon footprint of the festival - including the ancillary events and activities - 80 tonnes of CO2 e.

• This was more than offset by the associated energy saving campaign.

Art Installations in 2014The total energy used by the 28 light art installations over the three weeks was a mere 5602 kWh - or 2.90 tonnes CO2 equivalent - as all artists incorporated energy savings measures in the design, construction and operation of their works. The carbon footprint associated with the installations by way of freight and flights for the artists added another 76.49 tonnes CO2e.

• In 2012, 47 properties joined in & saved 210,424 kWh of energy or 109 tonnes of CO2e over three weeks. Energy usage of 800 4-room HDB flats over 3 weeks.

• 77% of properties committed to continue with the energy saving measures. 52% will introduce additional energy saving measures.

• In 2014, the total energy savings achieved by the three week long “Switch Off Turn Up” (SOTU) campaign - from 52 buildings - was 268,890 kWh, which equates to 139.55 tonnes of CO2e.

“Switch off, Turn Up” CampaignSwitch off, Turn Up” Campaign

Sustainability Initiatives

• Workshops & Competitions

• Education & communication

• Sponsorship

• Symposium & Artists Talks

• Introducing eco products & displays

• Making Paper Work

• Recycling and reducing waste

“Art & Sustainability” by Sacha Kagan

i Light Marina Bay 2012 and 2014 were recognised as Asia’s first and only sustainable light art festivals & setting a new benchmark for Sustainable Events in Singapore by:

o making a positive contribution to the environment and the community, through energy saving measures and effective use of all resources;

o using the festival as a means to educate and inform all stakeholders and the general public;

o demonstrating that it is possible to manage a major event designed for enjoyment and entertainment in a sustainable fashion.

Making MICE events in Singapore More Sustainable• International standards – ISO 20121 – &

Singapore should be setting the pace.• Apply to all MICE – large, small, venues, events • STB & SACEOS want to see it happening• Guidelines to call on and examples to follow.

Use the SEMS tool• Look at what SEC is doing with Green Label

and Eco Office• Singapore Exchange has introduced

sustainability guidelines for listed companies• Singapore committed to make 80% of all

buildings Green Mark rated by 2030• Some hotels & venues committed to

Earthcheck, Green Globe & GreenBizCheck• Take practical steps to make sure all events are

sustainably managed

Services provided by:

Email: Kenhickson@sustain-ability-showcase.com

i light Marina Bay 20164 to 27 March. Earth Hour 19 March