On the International Day of the Climate Emergency, the Climate Change Summit (CCS), the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to solutions to the challenges of climate change, presented the report on the carbon footprint of the first edition held in 2022. The report details the measures implemented by the organizers to reduce the impact on the environment, as well as long-term commitments, thus providing an example of good practices in inspiring real actions with positive effects on the environment, applicable in the realization of the events with a large audience. The first edition of the event, which counted around 1200 participants, physically and online – not counting the number of online viewers who watched the event on partner platforms -, generated 66,189 t CO2e. Each participant contributed, on average, only 55 kg of CO2e, a significantly lower amount compared to the international average, which is between 500 and 1,500 kg of CO2e, according to a recent study. The results of the event’s carbon footprint assessment, carried out by Carbon Expert, took into account direct and indirect emissions from sources such as transport (guests, participants, goods), hospitality services (hotels, restaurants, catering), energy consumption and waste management. The report can be consulted at climatechange-summit.org/the-footprint-of-change/
In order to reduce its impact on the environment, CCS has integrated into the organization of the event technologies that allow online participation, which considerably reduces the emissions associated with travel. It also made direct commitments regarding the selection of sustainable printed materials, the rental, reuse and donation of event stage decorations, the minimalist design of the website and the choice of green technologies for the management, processing and display of data on the website, the encouragement of public transport and the selection of restaurants and hotels for guests based on criteria of the shortest possible distance from the event venue, etc. Indirect commitments have also been made, such as waste collection partnerships, inclusion of electric and hybrid cars in the event fleet, digital promotion, along with other sustainable practices.
“When BRD set out to create this large-scale event with national and regional impact – the Climate Change Summit – we had the goal, in addition to quality content and top guests, to have an event with as little carbon footprint as possible. I have largely succeeded. It is a path that we will continue, aware of the responsibility that falls to us and of the fact that we can represent a reference that we want to be replicated by as many of us as possible, in the various activities, with a smaller or larger scale”, said Flavia Popa, the General Secretary of BRD.
“People tend to pass the blame onto the system, forgetting that the system is us. The publication of our report proves that even the smallest things can have a significant impact. Yes, environmentally friendly decisions come with a cost, but when there are enough of us, the cost will go down. Our actions as Climate Change Summit organizers have reduced the average per participant to just 55 kg of CO2e, which is equivalent to moving a car approximately 220 km. It is a carbon footprint 10 times lower than the international average per participant for a three-day conference, calculated between 500 and 1500 kg of CO2e by the University of Freiburg,” says Roxana Cojocaru, Director of the Climate Change Summit.
In line with its commitment to sustainability, CCS has limited the negative effects on the environment as much as possible through the GS5099 Greentech’ project to reduce emissions, for example by recycling PET, in Buzau, Romania. The negative impact that the event failed to eliminate is considered and reduced through this program, which highlights CCS’s commitment to operate in an environmentally conscious manner. By publishing the Carbon Footprint Report, the Climate Change Summit aims to inspire participants, partners and society at large to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to a broader systemic change towards a more sustainable future.
Care for the environment, but especially the identification of sustainable solutions, applicable at the local and regional level, for the challenges brought by climate change, is the concern of the Climate Change Summit, which brings together in Bucharest, between October 19 and 20, renowned representatives from the international community, topics of major interest for the future of the Planet and dynamic debates about sustainability, economy, agriculture, environment, technology and education, in an intersectoral commitment to address the global climate crisis.
The event is open to the public and registration is done at climatechange-summit.org.
Climate Change Summit 2023 is organized by Social Innovation Solutions together with BRD Groupe Société Générale, as founding partner, and with Auchan Romania as strategic partner, Mastercard – climate partner, and with the support of Société Générale Global Solution Center, European Climate Foundation and EPG. Among the organizational partners are the Concordia Employers’ Confederation, the Council of Foreign Investors, Romanian Business Leaders, the Coalition for the Circular Economy, the Embassy of Sustainability, WWF Romania, EFdeN, the European Institute in Romania, the Leaders Foundation, Envisia, Europe Direct, GEYC, the Romanian Youth Council, Carbon Expert, Infoclima, Valea Verde, Global Shapers Bucharest Hub, Solutions, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Romania, the Romanian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
About Social Innovation Solutions
The mission of Social Innovation Solutions (SIS) is to support individuals and organizations to understand the transformations of the future and develop sustainable technology, public policy and entrepreneurial solutions. SIS organizes several incubators and accelerators in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe, working with several thousand SMEs and NGOs every year through programs such as the Sustainability Academy, Future Makers and Transformator. Also, SIS develops several conversation platforms about sustainability, future trends and circular economy like Future Summit, Sustainable Futures or Climate Change Summit and offers consultancy and executive education programs in foresight, innovation and sustainability.
About BRD Groupe Société Générale
BRD Groupe Société Générale is one of the leaders of the banking market in Romania. The bank operates a network of 451 units and has total assets worth 70.5 billion lei (as of March 30, 2023). BRD holds a leading position on the retail market, is a top player on the corporate banking market and the leader of the Romanian factoring market. As a social actor, BRD invests in culture, education, technology and sports, supporting projects that build, develop, raise a new generation and bring long-term value. Under this vision, Fundația9 was created, which coordinates the Scena9 cultural journalism platform, as well as the Rezidenta9 cultural center in Bucharest. In education, BRD created Țoala9, a specialized journalism platform, and supports programs that support the approach of teachers from the formal system, but also plans, ideas and projects in the sphere of innovation and technology. The newest journalism platform launched by BRD is Mindcraft Stories, which aims to open a conversation about discoveries in Romania and the world, about how technology touches our lives, about artificial intelligence, robotics, medicine and much more.
About Carbon Expert
Carbon Expert is a group of experts with twelve years of experience in greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy markets, sustainable development and energy efficiency projects. They provide expertise in carbon trading, carbon footprint calculation and green project development. Carbon Expert is recognized for its contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and various international organizations.
