Why do we even measure Conventa’s carbon footprint? The organisers effortlessly identify with the reasons listed by Umanotera, a Slovenian NGO specialised in environmental preservation that applies to events in general, and especially Conventa:
– we wish to manage our emissions more precisely and plan measures to reduce emissions;
– we want to benchmark with companies and organisations within our sector and industry;
– we need the carbon footprint calculation to report to our partners;
– we want to avoid the risks created by soaring prices of fossil fuel and carbon;
– we use the carbon footprint calculation as a communication tool.
We also agree with Umanotera that measuring the carbon footprint is only the beginning. The actual purpose of calculating the carbon footprint is to prepare a detailed annual sustainability action plan, which would be impossible without the measurement.
The final measurement correlated to the accuracy of collected data during the past three carbon footprint calculations at Conventa. That is most evident in mobility. In 2022, we calculated data about mobility only based on the number of attendees and an approximate measurement of their travels. Conversely, in 2023 and 2024, we precisely calculated the journey for every attendee, employee and supplier and segmented the data depending on the type of transportation and fuel. Measuring data for each individual is crucial because the carbon footprint generated by mobility amounts to 77.2% of the 88.2% of the overall carbon footprint. The credibility of the entire calculation depends on the collected data. The table below compares the carbon footprint of Conventa with the calculation for mobility:
Year | Safety Margin | Overall carbon footprint in kgCO2 | Mobility in kgCO2 | Percentage of mobility in the overall carbon footprint measurement |
Conventa 2022 | 1.99 | 250,408 | 220,765 | 88.2% |
Conventa 2023 | 3.03 | 116,425 | 97,141 | 83.4% |
Conventa 2024 | 3.56 | 116,409 | 83,995 | 72.2% |
The difference in the final calculations is also the various methodologies we used. We calculated the data according to Climate Partner’s methodology during the first two years. In 2024, however, we measured it using the novel methodology of Planet Positive Event. In both instances, the emission factors were aligned with the GHG Protocol and based on the UK DEFRE’s indexes (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). What separates this measurement from the first year’s is that we measured the use of energy and water and the amount of waste at the event much more precisely. Planet Positive Event’s calculator also includes data about the carbon footprint generated by communication, marketing, event production and social responsibility.
Planet Positive Event’s methodology enables us to obtain a detailed insight into the results of the measurement in line with the GHG Protocol, which segments emissions into three scopes:
Scope 1: Direct greenhouse (GHG) emissions that occur from sources that are controlled or owned by an organisation (e.g., emissions associated with fuel combustion in boilers, furnaces, and vehicles).
Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat, or cooling. This scope includes emissions within the electroenergetic grid when distributing electric energy.
Scope 3: Indirect GHG emissions that arise in the value chain of an organisation. This data is most difficult to track and control, even though it represents the greatest percentage of an organisation’s emissions. These include data connected to suppliers, business trips, purchases, waste, water use and data about the life cycle of products and services.
Expectedly, the greatest part of the carbon footprint calculation came from direct emissions, predominantly because of attendees’ travels. The fact that the event’s preparation phases came between October and February affected the final carbon footprint. Consequently, energy use for heating skyrocketed. Planet Positive’s criteria offer tips to event organisers by pointing them to the segments where they can reduce their carbon footprint the most. It is important to note that organisations can achieve a great deal in minimising direct emissions. Each activity has an impact in the end. This year, we realised that heating and energy use in our office was catastrophic. As the event takes place in winter, we can reduce the overall carbon footprint by 4% by improving and optimising energy use.
To summarise the carbon footprint of Conventa 2024, the five main sources of Conventa’s carbon footprint are:
72.16% Mobility
12.40% Energy
10.47% Hotel accommodation
2.48% Catering
1.13% Waste and water
In the future, we will focus on reducing the carbon footprint in these segments and include measures to reduce them in the action plan.
You can simplify your carbon footprint measurement with the help of Planet Positive Event forms for calculating carbon footprint. They represent the first forms of their kind in the world, helping you collect data effortlessly. You can find more information at: https://planet-positive-event.eu/.
The know-how we gained at Conventa during the last carbon footprint measurement is priceless. It has enabled us to obtain a realistic picture and acquire new knowledge that will help advance the entire industry. At the same time, we can develop new skills and techniques while measuring the development of our innovative approach.
By comparing various approaches and methodologies for measuring carbon footprint and collecting data, we succeeded in calculating a credible carbon footprint of the event after three years. External assessors will also check how much the event complies with the ESRS Standards.
Learn more about Planet Positive Event here.