As more and more people wake up to the need for more sustainable ways of working and meeting, the University of Leeds’ conference and events arm, MEETinLEEDS is leading the charge. Not only is it attracting more conferences about sustainability to the University, it is receiving endorsements from key players including The Soil Association and Green Tourism Business Scheme for how it runs its events.
Earlier this Spring, the University hosted the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) Annual Conference, including the Further Education Sustainability Summit and Transformational Leadership Summit for key people from across the FE sector, and received The Soil Association’s Gold Award for its menus.
And it is now busy organising the 11th International Conference of the European Society for Ecological Economics (ESEE) which runs from June 30 – July 3 and promises a cycle-powered evening event and a day of serving only vegan food.
Environmental footprint leaves barely a trace
MEETinLEEDS Sales and Marketing Manager, Harriet Boatwright said: “Sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips and the team has worked hard to not only help attract prestigious conferences and events focussed on sustainability to the University, but to ensure that we work towards ensuring our environmental footprint leaves barely a trace before, during and after the events.”
The EAUC Conference attracted more than 300 people on both days and incorporated an exhibition in the University’s Sports Hall as well as sessions across the University including a gala dinner in the Refectory (pictured above).
MEETinLEEDS Conference and Events Manager, Ros Bates said: “We started planning the event in summer 2014 and wanted to make sure everything was as sustainable as possible in keeping with the theme of the conference. We didn’t use any fast fixes, all the food was served on crockery, everything we used was washable rather than disposable and our menus were Fairtrade, local and seasonal with a good presence of organic produce, which helped us achieve The Soil Association Gold Award. We’re hoping the feedback from the conference will lead to us hosting many more similar events.”
ESEE conference to provide all-round sustainable experience
The team is now focussed on the ESEE Conference and an organising committee has been established to ensure it is as sustainable as it can be.
Initiatives include reducing the amount of meat served across the four-day event; serving only vegan food for one day with the money saved invested in local and organic produce; setting a target of recycling 95% of waste; offering delegates bicycles and offsetting emissions from the venues, accommodation and catering.
MEETinLEEDS ESEE Event Manager, Anthony Lowe said: “We have taken an approach to this conference which seeks to harmonise the organisation of the conference with its stated aims and we’re working with existing University of Leeds’ organisations, such as Green Exchange – which encourages mass participation in ethical and environmental issues across the campus – to combine resources and spread a general awareness about the conference. We’re excited about providing delegates with an all-round sustainable experience.”
The University recently received Gold Awards from the Green Tourism Business Scheme*for its prestigious University House venue as well as many of its halls of residences.
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