The Earth is currently facing severe environmental threats, with our ecosystem at risk due to carbon emissions causing drastic climate change. The pressing question is: what are we doing to protect the environment? What sustainability measures are in place to safeguard our planet?
Virtual Days emphasizes the importance of creating a green and sustainable environment. We are committed to guiding event organizers and professionals on the significance of hosting sustainable meetings and events. It is high time the event industry transforms its practices towards sustainability.
Did you know that hosting an international conference for 5,000 attendees virtually reduces carbon emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 158 American households? This significant reduction is primarily due to decreased energy use from venues and hotels and the elimination of travel requirements.
A one-day virtual event with 200 attendees produces carbon emissions equivalent to driving 3,300 miles or burning 1,500 pounds of coal. If held in person, that same event would generate nearly 66 times more carbon emissions. Over 60% of carbon emissions from virtual conferences are linked to network data transfers, such as video calls, streaming, and presentations.
Let’s delve into the importance of sustainable virtual events and the critical need to embrace virtual events.
The environmental impact of virtual events
In the past year, virtual events have been praised by media and news outlets for their environmental benefits, such as reducing travel, waste, catering needs, and land and water usage. However, even before the pandemic, experts projected that information and communications technologies could consume 20% of global energy demand by 2030.
On the surface, the environmental impact of virtual events seems clear. For example, the Coachella music festival generates 107 tons of solid waste daily, with only 20% being recycled. If Coachella were held online, this waste would be eliminated, reducing carbon footprint. However, the reality is more nuanced. While virtual events indeed have a smaller carbon footprint than physical events, they are not entirely impact-free.
A study by MIT students found that one hour of streaming or video conferencing emits between 150 to 1,000 grams of carbon dioxide, depending on the service. By comparison, burning 4 liters of gasoline in a car produces about 8,887 grams of CO2. Another study published in the Journal of Environmental Studies by Grant Faber observed that a one-day virtual conference (on Zoom) with about 200 participants resulted in 1,324 kg of CO2 emissions—equivalent to driving nearly 5,311 kilometers or burning around 680 kg of coal. Of these emissions, 64% came from network data transfers, 19% from pre-conference planning meetings, and 11% from computer use.
Virtual events still have a significant environmental impact due to increasing internet usage. The electricity required to power the internet, along with its associated carbon, water, and land footprints, is substantial. Data transmission and storage also require water for cooling equipment in data centers. Moreover, the lifecycle emissions of participant computers and other activities associated with virtual events further contribute to the overall environmental impact. Therefore, it is crucial for companies to calculate and understand the virtual event carbon offset to achieve genuine sustainability.
Understanding the Impact: Events and Carbon Emissions
Let’s delve into how the events industry significantly impacts carbon emissions globally:
Travel
Travel stands out as a primary contributor to carbon emissions within the events industry. Attendees often travel long distances, necessitating flights that emit substantial CO2. For instance, a passenger flying at 780 km/h can generate 90 kg of CO2 per hour. When multiplied across thousands of attendees over several days, the environmental impact becomes significant, with travel accounting for up to 75% of an event’s emissions.
Hospitality
The environmental footprint extends to hospitality arrangements. Beyond travel emissions, hotels contribute to carbon footprints through heating, lighting, and electricity usage by attendees. These additional emissions further compound the environmental impact of in-person events.
Waste
Waste management presents another avenue for emissions. Large events generate substantial waste, a portion of which ends up in landfills where decomposition by methane-producing bacteria adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Studies reveal that a 3-day event can produce over 5670 kg of waste, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
Energy Consumption
The energy demand of event venues contributes significantly to carbon emissions. Many venues rely on non-sustainable energy sources like coal and gas, amplifying the environmental impact of hosting events.
Meals and catering
The food and drink industry, known for its high emissions, plays a crucial role in event-related carbon footprints. For instance, beef production alone can contribute 300 kilograms of CO2 equivalents per kilogram of meat. Given the central role of catering in events, addressing food-related emissions is key to reducing overall environmental impact.
Why Virtual Events?
When it comes to hosting eco-friendly events and meetings, virtual gatherings stand out as a game-changer. By harnessing technology to create immersive virtual platforms, organizations can significantly reduce their environmental impact. Gone are the days of extensive travel for attendees and speakers, replaced by a streamlined digital experience that slashes carbon emissions associated with transportation. This shift not only conserves precious resources like fuel and materials but also champions environmental sustainability in a profound way.
Let’s dive into the numbers to understand the impact better. Physical events contribute a whopping 1.15 million KG of CO2e emissions, while their virtual counterparts produce a mere 0.02 million KG of CO2e. That’s a remarkable difference of 1.1 million CO2e KG, equivalent to circling the globe in a car over 100 times! The question then arises: why add to the carbon footprint when sustainable events offer a clear path to environmental conservation?
Aligned with the principles of inclusive and responsible event planning, virtual events offer a host of benefits that go beyond just environmental preservation. They embrace a digital-first approach, minimizing the need for physical materials and optimizing resource allocation. This not only supports environmental goals but also translates into tangible cost savings and operational efficiencies.
Here’s why going virtual is not just beneficial but essential for the greater good:
Increased Audience
Over 80% of respondents highlight increased audience reach as a significant benefit of transitioning to virtual platforms.
Decreased Cost
Studies indicate that embracing virtual event sustainability can lead to cost reductions and potentially impact operating profits by as much as 60%.
Increased ROI
78% of businesses believe that hosting online events yields a positive return on investment (ROI) by generating the highest number of leads.
Decreased Footprint
An overwhelming 90% of business leaders consider sustainability to be a crucial priority.
The global virtual event market has surged from 40 to 657 billion USD, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.4% projected between 2022 and 2030. These figures underscore the virtual event industry’s significant impact and dominance in today’s digital landscape.
1. Environmental Responsibility: Minimizing Ecological Impact
Hosting sustainable events begins with selecting venues aligned with environmentally conscious principles. Choosing a platform that offers comprehensive functionality, immersive experiences, and a digital cloud space is preferable to physical venues. Virtual venues significantly reduce carbon footprints by eliminating travel, conserving resources through digital communication, and promoting global accessibility for inclusive participation. Embracing the metaverse combines environmentally conscious practices with impactful event experiences.
Waste Reduction: Traditional events often generate significant waste, including single-use plastics and excess materials. Green meetings, virtual conferences, and events reduce waste production while enabling safe interactions for thousands of attendees. Leveraging digital communication, downloadable resources, and efficient virtual platforms is key to waste reduction.
Reduced Carbon Emissions: Transportation and energy usage contribute significantly to event-related carbon emissions. Sustainable events help mitigate these emissions by minimizing travel, whether local or international.
2. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Breaking Geographical Barriers
Sustainable events prioritize inclusivity and diversity. Virtual gatherings transcend geographical limitations, allowing global participation without the environmental impact of long-distance travel. This inclusivity fosters international connections and knowledge-sharing. Sustainable meetings accommodate diverse needs, providing opportunities for individuals facing challenges in attending physical events due to disabilities, travel constraints, or other barriers.
3. Innovation in Engagement: Creative and Interactive Experiences
Virtual events encourage innovative engagement strategies like interactive workshops, virtual tours, and immersive experiences, enhancing attendee interaction and participation. Customizable platforms enable the design of virtual webinars, 3D or 4D immersive events, and seamless integration of multimedia elements for dynamic presentations and enhanced learning experiences.
4. Long-Term Cost Efficiency: Financial Benefits
Hosting virtual and hybrid events leads to cost savings on venue rentals, travel, catering, and physical materials. These efficiencies optimize resource allocation and streamline administrative tasks like registration and coordination. This approach not only saves time and resources but also supports sustainability goals by reducing resource consumption.
5. Enhanced Brand Reputation: Leading Sustainable Practices
Organizations that prioritize sustainability demonstrate a commitment to responsible business practices, enhancing their reputation among stakeholders and clients. Hosting eco-friendly virtual events aligns with corporate social responsibility objectives and sets an example for industry peers, inspiring broader adoption of sustainable practices and promoting sustainability at a larger scale.
Creating Our Sustainable Future Together
At ibentos, our dedication to sustainability goes beyond creating eco-conscious content. It encompasses transforming how we connect with each other and the environment. With technologies like the metaverse and virtual event platforms, we prioritize sustainability, inclusivity, and regenerative practices.
Every event, regardless of size, can move us closer to a greener future. By making mindful choices, leveraging technology, and sharing a commitment, we can shape a narrative where every virtual or hybrid gathering contributes to sustainability. Join us on this journey.
Together, let’s redefine events, minimize our collective carbon footprint, and foster enduring, positive change for our planet.