Q1: How would you reply to someone claiming climate change is not a consequence of human actions?
We live in a fast-changing global environment where we encounter a tremendous amount of information and data daily. Much of that information is either contrived, wrong or misleading. Thus, there are several contrasting opinions on every matter. An individual has a hard time making an objective assessment of what is real and what is not. There is even more misguiding information about climate change. The fact remains, and I strongly believe we all agree – the weather is changing. The catastrophic floods that recently ravaged Slovenia are yet another example that no region in the world is immune to the repercussions of climate change. Such events will continue to intensify. There is a broad consensus regarding this because we all feel and see the direct effects. Still, some claim this is not a human-incited event but a natural cycle. My reply to them would be to trust scientists in the current flood of information. There are numerous extensive scientific studies and publications that irrefutably prove the changes in our environment are partially or entirely the consequence of human actions and our irresponsible relationship with nature. I recommend sceptics to read reports made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that operates under the United Nations. Their studies clarify the effects of human actions and are based on empirical data.
Q2: We are constantly mentioning sustainability. How good are event organisers when going from words to actions?
It all starts with words and ambitions. Then, these words and visions clash with reality, where event organisers must consider the available funds, infrastructure, and a venue’s logistics. Based on that, they do what they can. No beginning is without difficulties – you cannot do everything in one go. However, every step towards sustainability is welcome, even if only symbolic. At Bled Strategic Forum, we are dedicated to sustainability and try to make real yearly improvements that will make our conference environmentally aware in the future. To illustrate, we cooperated with Slovenian Railways and invited attendees to arrive by train. We are satisfied with the responses, but old habits die hard. What matters most is persistence to make changes permanent and irreversible.
Q3: Why is organising events sustainably important to you, as the organiser of Bled Strategic Forum, and personally?
Bled Strategic Forum is based on four main content pillars. One of them is sustainable development – tackling climate change. It is impossible to have this as one of the BSF platform’s main goals without taking the necessary steps to ensure the event’s sustainability. If we did that, we would undermine one of our core missions. As I stressed previously, we aim to take a step further each year in this segment – both in terms of food and beverages, sorting waste and transportation. We are, however, limited by unavoidable realities, especially in terms of security entourage when eminent guests arrive and depart. We could achieve even more to reduce our carbon footprint if Slovenia had better and more connected infrastructure. That applies especially to railway connections with neighbouring countries. If we did, we could offer our attendees this possibility. Currently, though, that is impossible, even though we tried.
Q4: How would you describe a sustainable event in your own words? What are the main aspects event organisers must consider to make their event sustainable?
A sustainable event is one where the organiser considers the aspect of sustainability in all segments of preparing the event and implements concrete measures. In this light, sustainability must be entwined in all logistic and organisational aspects of a conference and should be considered by event organisers throughout the event. The segments include transport, accommodation, environmental guidelines in hotels, catering, use of energy-saving technology, etc.
“We focused our efforts on two crucial segments – arrivals and departures from Bled by train and catering.”
Q5: What sustainable measures did you implement at such a complex event as BSF?
This year was the first time we changed BSF to make it more sustainable. We understood that we needed help from experts and people with know-how and experience in this field. That is why we partnered with experts at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, who advised us on making the conference more sustainable and environment-friendly. As mentioned, we focused our efforts on two crucial segments – arrivals and departures from Bled by train and catering. We had already eliminated all plastic from our event some time ago. I would say we succeeded in most of our efforts, and I am satisfied we made a step forward that we can build on. Everything is possible if there is a compelling desire to drive change.
Q6: How did attendees accept the measures? Did you receive any feedback from their side?
Those who went by train were satisfied, as they used the same amount of time or less to get to Bled compared to car travel. In addition, they did not need to worry about finding a parking place, rush hour and similar situations that can turn your day upside down. Thus, the feedback is chiefly positive. We are still gathering responses, and based on that information, we will plan further steps to improve the conference and its sustainable side.
Q7: Did you measure the carbon footprint of your event to make planning for necessary future sustainable measures at BSF easier?
Although we did not measure the carbon footprint this year, we considered it, and will undoubtedly measure it in the future. Still, measuring carbon footprint is a technically complex process, requiring experts who delve into all segments and aspects of organising an event.
Q8: How do sustainable measures influence an event’s budget? Do you believe sustainable events are more expensive or cheaper?
Given we had the same budget as in previous years and still implemented sustainable initiatives, I dare say sustainable events are not more expensive, especially if one approaches the project holistically and professionally. At present, numerous solutions are sustainable but also affordable.
Q9: More than 70% of the carbon footprint is represented by the transport of attendees. How does your event tackle this?
As mentioned, logistics is the biggest challenge when discussing international conferences, where most attendees come from abroad by plane. Unfortunately, that is the only option if we want leading experts and political elites who shape our world to converge at our conference. Although we offered attendees from neighbouring countries to come by train this year, most decided they would arrive by plane, as train connections are still poor. Nevertheless, we offered all attendees the possibility of arriving at the venue from Ljubljana by train. In the future, I sincerely hope we will take this to the next level (purchasing carbon offset for attendees’ flights).
Q10: When do you believe an event can be labelled green or even carbon-neutral? What advice would you give to those wanting to make the meetings industry more sustainable?
I am in no place to advise others, considering Bled Strategic Forum just stepped on the path of sustainable transformation. Undoubtedly, though, every measure counts. We have noticed attendees are much more satisfied to see event organisers go from words to actions. In favour, they are more likely to return to the event. Caring for sustainability is one of the aspects of the conference that will play a crucial role in the future. The number of attendees deciding to join a conference based on its sustainability will increase year by year. Event organisers will thus have to adapt.
Q11: How can each of us contribute to making a fairer and cleaner world daily?
That is a very complex question, and I suppose one article is nowhere near enough to provide an adequate answer. To make it short, I would say that every individual should consider the aspect of sustainability in their everyday life. When they adapt their activities to sustainability, they achieve a lot. I am glad younger generations are much more sustainably aware than ours. That means there is still hope.
Learn more about Bled Strategic Forum here.
, a global platform for generating ideas.){kind=link}