European Offshore Wind 2009

EWEA is very much aware of the increasing necessity to provide an intelligent response to climate change and related environmental crises.

While there is always more that can be done, EWEA would like to share with you a summary of the measures we are undertaking for European Offshore Wind 2009 Conference and Exhibition to ensure that the ecological footprint of this event is as small as possible.
 

Hotels: EWEA selects conference hotels that have implemented environmentally friendly projects.

The 'Rica Talk Hotel', the main event hotel for European Offshore Wind 2009 Conference & Exhibition, has been awarded the 'Swan' eco-label. Proactive sustainability efforts and a long-term plan for reduced environmental impact of day to-day operations was included in the pre-planning work for the hotel. Rica Talk Hotel uses environmentally adapted fittings and furniture, eco-friendly consumables, eco-labeled cleaning agents and detergents. It works systematically to cut energy and water consumption and has an efficient waste management system.

Catering: EWEA takes the environmental policies of potential caterers into consideration when selecting the event caterer. EWEA strives to maximise the use of reusable cutlery and environmentally friendly disposable materials, as well as encouraging caterers to use locally produced food.

'Mässrestauranger', Stockholm International Fairs’ restaurant operator, was among the first restaurant in Sweden and the very first restaurant in Stockholm to be awarded the 'Swan eco-label'. Mässrestauranger meets the tough Swan requirements in all five areas; food and beverages, chemical products and consumables, energy and water, waste and transport, as well as objectives for ongoing environmental work.

Cleaning & waste collection: All exhibitors are required to sort their daily waste at the waste disposal stations provided. Environmental stations are located in the halls as well as at the various loading bays.

Exhibitors's food waste is also collected in special bins and is correctly handled by the exhibitor services.

Glass is also sorted into “clear” and “coloured”.

Communication: EWEA uses electronic correspondence as much as possible with limited hard copy mailings.

• All delegates and visitors register online or onsite through an electronic registration system. No exchange of hard copies is involved.
• All conference abstracts are submitted online, they are reviewed using an online system and applicants are notified of the outcome of their submission by e-mail. Hard copies are not used at all.
• EWEA has created an online exhibitor manual, in order to process the majority of orders via online forms and reduce the use of hard copies as much as possible.
• EWEA provides the conference proceedings electronically through our website instead of sending out individual copies to each conference delegate.
• EWEA prints all of its publications using chlorine free and FSC certified paper and vegetable based ink.

Suppliers: EWEA takes into account suppliers' and partners' corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies when appointing them and stives to bring maximum benefit to local businesses in the host city.

EWEA works closely with the subcontracted agencies or suppliers and informs them of EWEA´s environmental concerns and requirements.

Find out more about Stockholm International Fairs’ environmental work.

EWEA operations: EWEA offsets the CO2 emissions produced by the air travel of all EWEA staff by making a donation to the KORU Foundation, 100% of which will be spent on renewable energy projects in developing countries.

In addition to its events, EWEA is working towards implementing environmentally-friendly practices to minimise the environmental impact of its day-to-day office activities. EWEA's offices are located in Renewable Energy House, a 140 year-old building which has been refurbished to minimise energy consumption and to explore different methods for integrating renewable energy technologies, making it a 100% renewable energy building.