With climate change being one of the greatest challenges of our times, the GCB German Convention Bureau together with solutions provider for climate-friendly meetings and events, CO2OL, has launched a calculator that measures the carbon footprint of conventions, meetings and events.

A free link to the CO2 Calculator is available on the GCB’s website – www.germany-meetings.com.

Apart from calculating carbon footprints, CO2OL offers detailed advice on how to reduce CO2 emissions. Unavoidable remaining emissions can be offset by certified climate protection projects in order to make events “climate-neutral”.

New task force to formulate green guidelines for the meetings industry in Germany
At the same time, a new task force has been established to formulate new green guidelines for the meetings industry in Germany. ‘Green Meetings & Events’ was initiated by the WorldCCBonn after the first GreenMeetings Germany symposium. EVVC (the European Association of Conference Centres) will be responsible for implementation, working with the GCB and aided by the Centre for Environmental Communication and the German Environment Foundation as well as other independent experts.

The demand for more and better green meetings information is supported by the results of the latest Meeting and EventBarometer 2009. 15 per cent of organisers say they are “definitely” influenced by climate protection concerns when choosing a venue for their meeting or event and over half of all companies, associations and agencies would recommend climate protection projects.

The survey also indicates how experts rate the subject of green meetings. 55 per cent confirm they are becoming increasingly important, and 15 per cent believe that Germany’s high standards in this field are a key image factor and selling point.