Evaluation
At the end of every event, ask the participants for feedback. Apart from asking them about the aspects associated with the character of the event, find out what they thought about the eco-solutions applied. Check which ones were noticed by them, whether they were received positively or perhaps they proved to be an inspiration. The feedback may help you improve your future events.
Offset
Carbon footprint which was created as a result of your event and which was not possible to avoid should be compensated to the environment. Emissions created can be neutralised through a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions somewhere else in the world, thus striving to be zero-emissions. This can be achieved through one of the offset schemes, which ‘remove’ our negative impact from the environment by supporting planting of trees or developing renewable energy solutions, among other things. In many cases, these projects bring additional benefits, e.g. improving the quality of air or water, strengthening biodiversity and natural habitats, improving employability in a given community or access to education. Offsetting carbon dioxide emissions may be part of a comprehensive strategy combining efforts against climate change with contributions to commons. However, it is important not to treat offset as the only tool for counteracting the effects of climate crisis. It should not be used instead of direct action limiting emissions but as a complementary process.
> There are standards verifying and regulating offset processes, e.g. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Gold Standard (GS), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Plan Vivo (PV) or Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCBS). More in a detailed offset guide: Carbon Offset Guide (website in English)
> An example of a Polish offset initiative combining support for pro-social organisations and the development of green energy: Social Carbon Offset – green energy for social change
Green events in my organisation
Write down the rules associated with the environmental aspects of event organisation at your institution, which will serve as an indicator for your own use and for the purpose of cooperating with artists and contractors. It is important that this document is officially approved by your institution as a standard. Create a clear instruction and share it with external entities with which you cooperate, so that they know what is important to you and which rules you adhere to. In this way, you will also shape the habits of other people. Include these provisions in the contracts. For internal purposes, create a short checklist which will allow you to effectively implement green rules with your future initiatives.
> Get inspired: GreenFestival uses a special green artist rider, which defines the rules of cooperation between the festival and the invited artists (text in English)
> Also read > ECO-ETHICS OF COOPERATION
> Make use of our eco-checklist