Climate change can no longer be stopped. That is why countless companies are already taking measures to delay the future consequences. Because glacier recession, rising sea levels or, from an economic point of view, the elimination of climate-related damage, are becoming increasingly noticeable and devastating.
In this blog article, we explain how to reduce emissions at events and thus contribute to climate protection and save costs at the same time.
Emission sources of a typical event
Whether it’s a staff meeting, a training course or a Christmas party, there are fixed events in the company’s annual calendar that take place on a regular basis. The same major problem always arises: climate-damaging CO2 emissions.
And it is by no means only the type of event that matters. After all, the arrival and departure, electricity and heating consumption, catering and waste production, as well as disposal, are the only factors that release harmful emissions.
The association Atmosfair has published some astonishing data on this, which we do not want to withhold from you:
Immediately recognisable at first glance: mobility is the biggest emission factor. But this aspect, like the others, can be avoided or at least reduced. For example, you can travel to a central event location by public transport. However, if you choose an online event, most of the listed emission sources can be avoided. For those who prefer a middle ground, there is the option of a hybrid event.
Defining your own emission sources
If you want to find out how high the CO2 emissions of your event are, there is a simple solution. Together with the VDR (Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V.), Atmosfair has developed a calculation method for event-related emissions. To get a result, all you have to do is fill out a form.
Turning negatives into positives
But the sources of emissions are not the only negative aspects of an attendance event.
A number of hurdles often need to be overcome for a successful, large-scale event. To name a few examples:
- contact restrictions in place due to Covid-19
- the environment must be protected and preserved
- logistical obstacles regarding location, catering and so on.
Entrepreneurs avoid these difficulties with a streamed live event. The streaming solution eliminates some problems entirely and mitigates others.
Furthermore, the costs of mobility, catering and accommodation can be reduced or even avoided.
Of course, a suitable ambience is also needed for a live stream. However, a suitable streaming studio can be smaller than a large hall. This is because the viewers sit at home in their home offices and follow the event on their screens.
The green livestream
With an online event, a completely new target group is also addressed. Many participants who could not travel to the event often find the time to dial in online. The opinion of your own employees can also be integrated into the stream by means of a survey.
Perhaps you too have already thought about organising an online event because of the pandemic. But even without contact restrictions, a livestream is definitely a sensible alternative to an on-site event. Above all, it supports the urgently needed reduction of CO2 emissions.
What distinguishes an online event?
A professional stream can shine in completely different lights. In terms of the setting, the location or the participants: each livestream is individual and can be creatively designed. There is also the option of having some of the people at the event location while others are added online. In other words, a hybrid event. Depending on the number of participants on site, extensive catering costs, as well as emissions, can be kept to a minimum.
For internal events, such as an annual general meeting, access to the livestream can be restricted to the persons concerned. This protects sensitive data from the public. For a press conference, on the other hand, several public platforms are often used for streaming. As a result, it is possible to reach a broader audience.
The advantages of a climate-friendly event
The logistical challenge is eliminated with a live stream. Planning for accommodation, waste disposal and catering is also no longer necessary.
Furthermore, even colleagues from a distant location or even another country can participate in the event. This means that the biggest emission factor, “mobility”, can be eliminated or at least reduced.
The associated costs are also reduced accordingly (more information can be found here). All this can be an enormous relief for the event manager and the organisers.
Of course, however, an online event does not replace a face-to-face meeting. A good middle ground would be: regular events are held via a livestream. On the other hand, annual general meetings, for example, are used to bring everyone together in person. This way, you don’t have to do without meetings in person and at the same time you protect the climate.
This should mean: Companies that use livestreaming instead of face-to-face meetings act greener and save costs at the same time. So this is not green-washing, but actually protecting the environment. And this topic concerns us all!
Would you also like to host an event via livestream or are you still unsure and need more detailed information? We will be happy to support you! Simply call us at: 0049 89 41 41 453 10
