Sustainability, a central theme at Net Zero Carbon Events

19-11-23

Sustainability and social responsibility are objectives that cannot be ignored if we want to leave future generations the legacy of a friendlier planet. In this regard, compliance with the Social Development Goals and the need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is a priority that goes beyond the 2030 Agenda.

These priorities are reflected in the organization of events, congresses and conventions, since according to surveys and analyses by major organizations in the meetings tourism sector, this trend is becoming increasingly pronounced in international and national professional associations, which consider the implementation of socio-economic-environmental sustainability measures adopted by destinations and suppliers as a decisive factor when choosing the venue for their next event.

Net Zero Carbon Events is an initiative generated by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), and supported by major international organizations such as UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), AIPC (International Association of Convention Centres) and ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) associated with the JMIC. 

This initiative already has more than 400 members of the meetings industry committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, and 100% by 2050, with the following working objectives:

• To jointly communicate our industry's commitment to address climate change and move towards net zero by 2050.

• Develop common methodologies to measure the industry's direct, indirect and supply chain greenhouse gas emissions.

• Build an industry-wide roadmap towards net zero by 2050 and emissions reductions by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement, with support and guidance on key issues.

• Foster collaboration with suppliers and customers to ensure alignment and common approaches.

• Establish common mechanisms for reporting progress and sharing best practices.

Net Zero refers to the balance between man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their removal from the atmosphere. To achieve this balance, it is necessary to reduce GHG emissions and offset or "neutralize" those not avoided through the use of long-term carbon sequestration solutions.

In our destination several tourism and meeting tourism actors are working with implemented projects that take into account socio-environmental responsibility, both in the field of food, as in Ciudad del Este with the Hotel Acaray and in Luque with the Gran Bourbon Asunción, which have a vegetable garden with a hydroponic system in which they grow chemical-free food. In Asunción, hotels such as the Dazzler and the Esplendor by Wyndham have recyclable waste campaigns, and sustainability is one of the objectives promoted by the Asociación Industrial Hotelera del Paraguay (AIHPY).

On the other hand, in terms of social responsibility, the organizers of events, congresses and conventions have a duty to leave a mark on the local community in which they hold their event, in Paraguay, for example, by favoring local handicraft producers, with stalls selling their products at the venue of the events.

There is no doubt that good practices for the fulfillment of these objectives of socio-economic-environmental sustainability will be a decisive factor in the choice of venue for future events in our country, as in the rest of the world, and that more and more supplier companies will have to join this global effort for the survival of the planet and a better quality of life for local communities.