WWF Danube Conference – The Business Case for Water
A business conference called “The Business Case for Water,” organised by WWF Central and Eastern Europe, provided a platform for discussing their water-related responsibilities and opportunities with companies. It was very exciting to create a setting where not only the event elements were green, but important sustainable mindsets could also be discussed.
Sustainable planning
Less is more—that’s the top principle of sustainability’s 5R model. There was no printing; registration and information sharing happened on a custom microsite, which we also used for follow-up communications. Using the data gathered, we could plan catering precisely to minimise leftovers. Additionally, we encouraged guests to opt for eco-friendly transportation.
The right venue
We selected a boat as our venue. The Danube, symbolizing the conference theme of water, provided a stunning backdrop for our event. The boat is easily accessible by bike or public transport and requires minimal decoration. Navigating the venue was straightforward, so no signage was needed. We pre-read the meters for carbon footprint calculations, and the venue also monitored waste quantities.
Education, education, education
Industry experts delivered presentations at the conference, showcasing innovative approaches through real-life examples and demonstrating how companies can integrate sustainable water management practices into their operations. Litkai Gergely, a well-known Hungarian comedian and green activist, hosted the event. Multinational companies presented case studies and best practices, while a roundtable discussion involving WWF and its partners addressed pressing issues.
Green catering
We provided an entirely vegetarian and vegan catering menu using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. We worked with a Hungarian organisation specialising in responsible dining, “Felelős Gasztrohős.” The food was delicious and fulfilling, and we received lots of positive feedback on-site!
In Budapest, tap water is of excellent quality, so we served Danube tap water and less bottled mineral water and soft drinks.
Carbon Footprint of the Event
While many attendees arrived using eco-friendly methods, we couldn’t avoid pollution entirely. In addition to surveying the number of attendees arriving by car and estimating fuel consumption, we also used an on-site questionnaire.
What you can’t measure, you can’t manage: working with the guests, the suppliers, and the venue, WWF experts calculated the event’s footprint: 16,5 tons of emissions.