The principles of sustainability underpin the thematic focus of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) and guide every aspect of the conference’s organisation.
The EMAS/ISO14001-certified company implementing the event works in cooperation with the European Commission (Directorate General for Energy and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency), adopting a holistic approach to sustainability that takes environmental, social and economic factors into account.
This approach forms the foundation for actions and decisions concerning the following:
- Venues: Use of venues in Brussels close to public transport and whose rooms require limited customisation as excessive production of new material.
- Catering: Use of seasonal and local food and drink, including plant-based options for onsite catering. Prevention of food waste via redistribution of leftovers. No plastic single-use items.
- Suppliers: A focus on local suppliers for all elements of the conference’s logistics, including AV production, decoration, catering and support staff leading to a limitation of the CO2 emissions.
- Trophies production: Trophies delivered during the Awards ceremony are produced out of the wood taken from of a fallen tree from Belgium. They are levelled, planed and sanded manually. Engraving is done by an inclusivity-minded company employing disabled workers.
- Carbon offsetting: The event compensates for its carbon footprint by making a financial investment in a certified sustainable project that reduces carbon emissions and advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
- Decoration and materials: Conference materials from past events (banners, decorations, badges, etc.) are reused and upcycled. The conference materials used for this as well as following editions are also reused and upcycled.
- Waste: The event is paperless and no promotional gadgets are distributed.
- Employment: Staff working at the event are employed in a socially conscious way, complying with safety and labour rules and privileging disadvantaged/long-term unemployed individuals.
