Applauding the “Green Conference”! Insights into Environmentally Friendly Practices at IPBES10 Venue | Observations from the CBCGDF Delegation

 As an observer at the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) has sent a delegation to attend the 10th plenary meeting of IPBES (IPBES10) in Bonn, Germany. The conference, which commenced on August 28, 2023, at the World Conference Center Bonn, is set to conclude on September 2. The CBCGDF Delegation has been actively engaged throughout this event and, based on their observations, numerous on-site arrangements vividly exemplify the tangible efforts of the global community towards environmental preservation.

 

When preparing for international conferences, organizing a green conference holds paramount significance. This not only aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also brings about positive impacts across various domains. A "Green Conference" signifies an approach where planning, organization, and execution emphasize the reduction of biodiversity and carbon footprints, resource conservation, social responsibility, opting for low-carbon venues, and biodiversity-friendly hotels, all aimed at minimizing adverse impacts on the ecological environment. By minimizing waste, lowering carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy adoption, and fostering environmental awareness, green conferences contribute to achieving several SDGs, such as SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG14 (Life Below Water), SDG15 (Life on Land), SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and more. Below, the CBCGDF Delegation shares environmentally conscious details from the IPBES-10 conference, presented for readers of the CBCGDF Green Media.

 

1. Environmentally Friendly Drinking Water Measures at the #IPBES10 Venue

 


The CBCGDF representatives noted that instead of placing bottled mineral water on every table, the venue provided water dispensers and eco-friendly paper cups at designated locations for participants to use. This practice embodies the spirit of a "Green Conference," significantly reducing single-use plastic pollution from bottled water.



2. Eco-Conscious Restroom Measures

 

Restrooms did not provide paper towels for hand drying, according to CBCGDF youth delegates; instead, there were rolls of thin, reusable towels that could be pulled out for use and automatically retracted after use.

The aforementioned environmentally friendly measures at the conference venue align with the "Green Meeting Standards" (T/CGDF 00027-2021) developed by the CBCGDF, which is the 1st standard for sustainability in event-organising in China. The standards serve as a good reference for assessing the sustainability of events, conferences, exhibitions, and similar activities. By assessing an event's eco-friendliness through index like good-food, lodging, transportation, waste management, paperless initiatives, biodiversity footprint, energy consumption, carbon offset measures, etc, the Green Meeting Standards aim to manifest the principles of SDGs.

 


(Note: This article serves as a work record. Compiled based on attendance observation, the information provided is for reference purposes only.)

 

Written by Maggie

Reviewed by Linda    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776


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