In 2016, Convergences decided to innovate and to sign a partnership with EcoAct, a key player of the decarbonisation sector and the European leader of voluntary carbon compensation. The objective was twofold: measuring carbon emissions related to the 2016 Convergences World Forum in order to be able to limit the carbon footprint of the future editions, and compensating the emissions to make the 2016 World Forum a carbon neutral event.

The partnership with EcoAct for the measurement and compensation of the carbon emissions of the Forum is part of an environmental performance improvement process. Indeed, promoting the 3Zero goal – Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, Zero Poverty –  also means integrating this goal in our daily work by adopting responsible behaviours.

In order to do so, Convergences pushed its reflection on its own environmental impact a step further and decided to adopt better practices to reduce the negative externalities of its activities. The Convergences World Forum is our biggest event: it gathers more than 7.000 speakers and attendees from all over the world for a 3 days conference. To limit the impact of such a gathering on the environment, we have already started implementing several environmentally friendly actions:

• Limitation of waste by using eco-cups, by collecting badges and by limiting the use of the signage system to the most important and useful information;
• Re-utilisation of all the furniture;
• Choice of responsible services providers and caterers whenever it is possible.

In comparison to other international and same size events, the carbon emissions of the Convergences World Forum are significantly lower. This is partly due to the effort already undertaken by Convergences in order to reduce its emissions. It is also due to the Forum taking place in Paris where it is easy for speakers and attendees to use public transport.

With emissions of 36 kg equivalent carbon per attendee, the Convergences World Forum is a low carbon event compared to similar gatherings. But this relatively good performance should not make us too confident: it has to be improved continuously by adopting even more responsible and environmentally friendly practices.

By measuring the emissions of the Convergences World Forum and compensating them, Convergences adopts a continuous improvement approach. Even if the results are already encouraging ones, it is necessary to go further and to intensify the responsible dimension of our future Forums.

What are the actions that can be implemented?

• Choosing all our service providers on a social and environmental responsibility criterium;
• Encouraging attendees and speakers to take the train if their journey is less than 1.000 km long;
• Encouraging attendees and speakers coming from afar to travel in economy or business class rather than first class;
• Digitalising the event to allow people to watch or speak at the conference from the country where they are based, without having to travel;
• Proposing a detailed web page with practical information on how to get to the Forum and allow attendees and speakers to choose the most environmentally friendly transportation and accommodation solutions.

The carbon emissions of the Convergences World Forum will be completely compensated by supporting the Madre de Dios REDD+ project. This is a reforestation project in Peru which contributes to the fight against climate chance.

How does compensation work?

The Madre de Dios project is environmentally friendly and has the ability to sell carbon credits. EcoAct bought carbon credits on behalf of Convergences, thereby supporting the project. The credits were next deleted so as they disappear from the carbon credit market. These deleted credits will never be able to be sold again, and no company will be able to buy them to compensate their negative impact on the environment.