TCD Sustainable Event Guidelines
Trinity’s aim as a ‘Green Flag’ Campus is to incorporate sustainability into day-to-day activities in college.
We know that organising events takes a lot of work, so the checklist below provides some guidance on how to plan and execute events in an environmentally friendly way, i.e. minimising energy consumption, waste and single-use plastics.
1. Venue
- Is your venue accessible by public transport or walking?
- If not, have you organised lift sharing between attendees?
- Does your venue have AV (audio-visual) facilities to invite remote attendance?
- Does your room have natural daylight?
- Will you turn off lights/close windows when leaving the room?
- Does your venue have recycling facilities?
2. Food Catering
Have you...
- Opted for a vegetarian/vegan menu?
- Taken steps to reduce food waste (e.g. typically if ordering per person you only need to cater for 60% attendees)?
- Requested reusable/compostable plates, cutlery, cups, etc.?
- Provided water in jugs?
- Signposted the water refilling areas so attendees can locate them?
- Requested that attendees bring reusable water bottles and coffee cups?
3. Communications
In communicating this event to attendees, have you...
- Highlighted Trinity as a ‘Green Flag’ campus?
- Considered a press release, social media post, etc. about the sustainability aspects of this event?
- Reduced the number of marketing leaflets you print/ used post-consumer recycled paper for printing?
- Invited attendees to offset the carbon emissions associated with their travel to the event?
4. Other Considerations
Sustainability is about environmental issues, AND is also about equity, accessibility, inclusion and diversity.
- Is your event accessible to people with limited mobility?
- Have you considered the gender ratio of your panel/attendees?
- Is your event affordable/accessible for low-income attendees?
For further advice on planning green accessible events you can have a look at the following guides:
UNEP Sustainable Events Guide
Accessible Events Guide