Yan Ke of EarthCheck offers solutions in making events green and sustainable. This presentation was delivered at the CEI North Asia Forum, held on September 24-25 at the naked Retreats, China

1. Making Corporate Events
Green and Sustainable
Yan Ke
EarthCheck Regional Director China
The planet deserves more than half measure

2. Today
1. Who we are and what we do
2. Why sustainability matters in event planning
3. How we help with holding a green event with case studies
4. Green event ideas

3. Where we are from?
EC3 Global Commenced 1987
National Centre for Studies in Travel and Tourism,
Australia’s first national tourism research centre.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Became the commercialization arm of the STCRC
World’s largest source of sustainable tourism research
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Not for profit
Millions reinvested in research and development
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Global Coverage
Delivering results in over 70 countries to 1,300+ clients
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Multi-sectoral
30 sectors including accommodation, retail,
casinos and convention centres

4. Our Global Recognition

5. Our Global Reach

6. EC3 by the numbers
1,300 Businesses and Communities, with over $18 Billion in
revenues across 30 sectors, in more than 70 countries
EC3 Global systems manage annually over 16 Billion kwh of energy,
34 Billion litres of potable water and 1 Million m3 of waste.
We have identified more than $100 Million dollars in
savings for our clients
6 Million people a week are impacted by EarthCheck's branded solutions.
In the last decade, we have been associated with
over 360 research projects with a total value of $260 million.

7. Definition: Sustainability is using resources in a
way and at a rate that enables the current generation
to meet their needs and desires without
compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs and desires
[The Brundtland Commission (1987)]

9. Destination-wide
Approach to Sustainability
Precinct Planning
• Integrated Resorts /Casino’s
Destination Management • Multi-Use Development
• Business clusters • Convention Centres
• Destination Management Plans e.g. • Entertainment Centres
PATA MACAU Task Force
Business
Community Operations
Planning • Design Advice
• Education + Capacity Building • Product Development
• Training • Food & Beverage
• Local Government • 30 Sectors

10. 3-D Holistic sustainability focus

11. EC3 Destination Partnerships in 2012
Mexico Thailand Macau
SECTUR / CCE DASTA / PATA MGTO / PATA

12. Today
1. Who we are and what we do
2. Why sustainability matters in event planning
3. How we help with holding a green event with case studies
4. Green event ideas

13. Recent Trends on planning events
• 76% of meeting planners report that CSR will be a focus for
their organisations (FutureWatch 2010);
• 80% of buyers take environmental results into account when
preparing RFP’s;
• 80% think the environment will become a bigger issue in
years to come;
• 50% of meeting planners think that delegates will become
more concerned if environmental issues are not taken into
account when planning an event (40% not sure, 10% don’t
agree);
• 73% would avoid a destination known to have a poor
record of environmental issues.

14. • Whether a brand is
targeting Boomers or
ThirtyfiveUps, CSR –
corporate social
responsibility –
is no longer an option.
It is an essential.
Future Laboratory, 2011

15. Evolution of Sustainability
“Measure and Manage”
Carbon Tax
World
Summit on
Sustainable
Development
“The Green (2002)
Advantage”
Davos
Conference &
Rio Earth the Global
Summit Reporting “Prove it or lose it”
Agenda 21 Kyoto Index
(1992) Protocol (2007)
(1997)

16. Banyan Tree’s Roots
before
Laguna
Phuket
after
Laguna
Phuket

17. Shanghai in 20 years
Shanghai
in 1990
Shanghai
in 2010

18. SUSTAINABILITY:
THE ABILITY TO
CONTINUE THESE
EFFORTS INTO INFINITY
BEING SEEN (CSR):
WORKING WITH SUPPLY
CHAIN AND COMMUNITY TO
ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY
BEING GREEN:
MANGEMENT OF
INTERNAL
OPERATIONS

19. Consumer Trends
WHAT ARE PCO’s LOOKING FOR IN A ‘GREEN’ EVENT
• Ways to offset carbon emissions;
• Zero waste – reuse, recycle, compost;
• Sufficient, convenient and accessible
recycling and waste bins;
• Public transport options;
• Minimal printed marketing materials;
• A holistic approach.
Tourism Australia’s Green Events
Factsheet 2010

20. Why Sustainability?
• TOP DRIVERS FOR ADOPTING SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
KPMG INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
2011
WITH 132 COMPANIES

21. Travelocity formed a relationship with EC3
Global in 2010 and reported green hotel
bookings in the first quarter were 65% higher
than their non-green counterparts.

22. The influence of CSR on ANZ’s sourcing activities
Key points:
• ANZ’s supplier code of practice
enhance ANZ’s reputation
• Engaging suppliers improve
resource efficiency and reduce
cost
• Education improves stakeholder
support for responsible
sourcing practices

23. ANZ’s Expectations of Accommodation Providers
• 2013: Introduce Carbon as a selection criteria for the
Hotel Room stays
• Capability to monitor, manage and reduce the
environmental and social impacts of business operations
• Capability to provide per room night carbon counting,
validated by an external party
• Capability to report carbon counting for all events held in
the Hotel
• Demonstrable CEO commitment to managing
environmental and social impacts across the business

24. Today
1. Who we are and what we do
2. Why sustainability matters in event planning
3. How we help with holding a green event with case studies
4. Green event ideas

25. How we help event planners get a green event?
• We partner with event suppliers in various areas
Gather Meaningful Data,
develop Insightful Analysis and deliver
Actionable Information to assist them
minimize their risk and environmental impact,
optimize their performance
and protect their brands

26. Who we work with
SECTOR EXAMPLE OPERATIONS SECTOR EXAMPLE OPERATIONS
• B&B (Bed and Breakfast) • Bistro
• Lodge RESTAURANT / • Pub
ACCOMMODATION • Hotels and Motels PUB • Restaurant
• Backpackers (YMCA)
• Villa • Wellness
SPA • Day Spa
• Bungy Jumping • Health & Fitness
• Kayaking
ACTIVITY • White-water Rafting • Taxi
• Safaris VEHICLE • Rent-a-car
• Coach Company
• 4WD Company
ADMINISTRATION • Travel Agent • Limousines
OFFICE
• Aquarium / Aqua Park • Exhibition centre
ATTRACTION • Caves CONVENTION • Convention centre
• Scenic Areas CENTRE
• Museum • Winery / Vineyard
VINEYARD
• Aqua Taxi • Information Centre for
CRUISE VESSEL • Ferry VISITOR CENTRE Visitors
• Yacht
• Casino
• Retail Outlets CASINO
DISPLAY & RETAIL • Souvenir Shop • Airport
AIRPORT

27. How we work with them

28. What is EarthCheck Certified?
• The World’s leading international environmental benchmarking and
certification program for the travel and tourism industry.
• Over 1,300 businesses participate in EarthCheck branded programs
including sectors such as accommodation, convention centres, casinos, golf
courses and tourism precincts.
• A suite of integrated and scalable products, EarthCheck enables
organisations identify weaknesses & opportunities whilst ensuring
sustainability claims are genuine.
• EarthCheck Capacity and Training enables communities and global
organisations to build and implement sustainable solutions, with
internationally recognised metrics.

29. Why did they choose EarthCheck?
 Internationally recognised, scientific standards and operational processes
 Independent third party auditing and certification that adheres to a recognised
international standard.
 Evidence-based scientific benchmarking that allows reporting against an
industry baseline and best practice.
 Technology that enables year-on-year monitoring of sustainability efforts, and
supports capacity building within the organisation.
 Proven commercial application that has been successfully implemented
worldwide by industry leaders in the field.

30. How is EarthCheck aligned with other standards?
Standard / Criteria Benchmarking Certification
ISO 9001

(QMS) 1
ISO 14001

(EMS) 2
[1]
Due to aligned criteria, EarthCheck has the
ISO 50001 ability to deliver integrated audits to both the
 
(Energy) Company and ISO 9001 Standard.
[2]
Due to aligned criteria, EarthCheck has the
ISO 14064

(GHG) ability to deliver integrated audits to both the
Company and ISO 14001 Standard.
GRI
 [3]
EarthCheck Certified is recognized by the
(Social/Cultural)
GSTC.
GSTC [4]
 EarthCheck has received NTAF
(Sustainable Tourism) 3
Accreditation.
NTAF

(Nat. Quality Framework) 4
NABERS
 
(Nat. Energy Framework)
IPCC 

31. Two stages on Sustainable Journey
• Benchmarking
Quantitative evaluation of environmental and social performance against sector
and region Baseline and Best Practice standards
• Certification
Qualitative assessment of key environmental and social performance against
the best sustainable standard by an approved independent third party Auditor
BENCHMARKING
Step 6
Communication
Step 5
Performance
Step 4
Approach
Step 3
Step 2 Compliance
Benchmarking
Step 1
Policy
CERTIFICATION

32. Key Performance Areas
1. Greenhouse gas emissions
2. Energy efficiency, conservation and management
3. Management of freshwater resources
4. Ecosystem conservation and management
5. Management of social and cultural issues
6. Land use planning and management
7. Air quality protection and noise control
8. Waste water management
9. Solid waste management
10. Storage of environmentally harmful substances

33. Benchmarking indicators
CORE AREA INDICATOR
Energy Energy consumption
CO2-e Production
Water Water consumption
Water saving
Waste Waste Sent to Landfill
Waste Recycling
Community Community Commitment
Community Contribution
Paper Ratio of Eco-lable Paper Products
Ratio of biodegradable Cleaning
Cleaning Products
Ratio of biodegradable Pesticide
Pesticides Products

34. EarthCheck Benchmarks
Compare properties in the
same climate zone (127
Zones)
Compare similar types of
businesses (30 Sectors)
Compare carbon, energy, water and
waste results using an activity
measure (eg. Guest Nights for
hotels)

35. So what’s happening
in this Space?

37. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE INCLUDE:
THE LANGHAM, AUCKLAND, NZ
the first 'Accommodation - Business
Hotel' in the Pacific region to
achieve EarthCheck Gold status.

38. LANGHAM HONG KONG
Key achievements to date include:
Energy consumption is 31.2% better than
the Best Practice level
Portable water consumption is 41.3%
better than the Best Practice level
Waste recycling rating is 23.3 Points
better than the Baseline level
Community contribution rating is 26.4
Points better than the Baseline level

39. Case study: Shangri-La
CARE FOR PEOPLE PROJECT SANCTUARY
• Launched in 2009, the •Sanctuary focuses on Shangri-La’s
project committed each Care for Nature Project, which aims to
hotel to a 10 to 15 year take a concerted effort to ensure that
partnership with a chosen biodiversity conservation and habitat
beneficiary working on protection is consistent across all
children’s health or resorts.
education programs. •Each resort works on an
• Includes: individualized project which will be
– Delivery of resources; further developed, tracked and
– Infrastructure support; monitored to better engage
– Fundraising; stakeholders.
– Life skills training;
– Hotel apprenticeships.

42. Seedlings, Banyan Tree
HARNESSING CORE COMPETENCIES TO BUILD
CAPACITIES OF YOUNG ADULTS
Mentorship
• Resort associates mentor “at risk”
youths
Scholarship
• Enabling students to continue their
education
Internship
• Imparting valuable skills and
experience once they enter the
workforce

43. Auckland airport on sustainable journey

44. Complete taxi goes green

45. Sydney convention & exhibition centre - Ecowise

46. Green Coex

47. Marina Bay Sand – holistic approach
restaurant
casino Convention
centre
vehicle

48. The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel
Convention Casino
Retail Hotel
centre

49. Today
1. Who we are and what we do
2. Why sustainability matters in event planning
3. How we help with holding a green event with case studies
4. Green event ideas

50. Eight Steps to Successful CSR Programs
1. Management commitment including a written environment and
social sustainability policy.
2. Dedicated and trained staff responsible for taking the idea forward
and getting others onboard.
3. Be able to quantify the benefits “If you can’t measure it, you can’t
manage it”.
4. Drop the jargon and talk in business terms and have a formal
reporting process
5. Collaborate don’t dictate, encourage innovation but don’t get caught
in spin
6. Share the success stories and use your interpersonal skills not
technical data
7. Authenticity
8. Sense of place

51. Green event ideas - Event planning
• Consider developing and publishing your commitment to the
environment.
• Select a destination city that is close to the majority of the
participants and is served by direct flights.
• Ensure you choose a venue with a green policy.
• Integrate environmental practices and policies into your
supplier contracts.
• Accurately plan your event taking into consideration expected
numbers, duration and number of rooms required to ensure
best fit and minimal use of resources or unnecessarily
extending the length of the event.

52. Green event ideas - Accommodation
• Provide guests with information about accommodations with
environmental certification or with environmental policies and
practices
• Use or recommend hotels within walking distance of the
venue.
• Highlight and use environmentally-conscious hotels – ask
questions about their approach to waste, water and energy
savings.

53. Green event ideas - Power and water
• Ask what your venue is doing to promote energy and water
conservation.
• Consider using green power, natural light and energy efficient
lighting wherever possible.
• Work with your venue to reduce power and air-conditioning
use when not required.
• Measuring the event's carbon footprint
• Offsetting event-related emissions

54. Green event ideas - Waste management
• Implement your own waste reduction policy that addresses:
Reduction of waste
Reuse of waste where possible
Recycling of waste where it cannot be reduced or reused
• Make sure that a recycling program is in place at the event and monitor its
effectiveness.
• Develop a waste management plan that addresses all types of waste.
• If disposable cups, plates and cutlery are necessary, look for those made
from recycled fibres and that are recyclable.
• Reduce use of packaging material, or use materials that are able to be
reused or recycled.
• Don’t use plastic bags and avoid non-reusable satchels or gift bags at your
event.
• Ask participants to return lanyards and name badges after the event for
future reuse

55. Green event ideas – Catering and communication
• Ask about venue policies for responsible food handling, recycling
and disposal.
• Monitor final event numbers to limit waste.
• Compost food scraps or have excess food collected and given to
charity.
• Clearly highlight vegetarian food offerings, and any recycling and
food waste systems which are in place to educate and encourage
attendee involvement
• Use electronic and paperless communications to avoid unnecessary
printing
• If you need to print, using recycled paper and an environmentally-
friendly printing process
• Use full online registration and electronic promotion

56. http://challenge.ecomagination.com/anz

57. Thank You
the planet deserves more than half measures
www.earthcheck.org - www.ec3global.com - training.ec3global.com