Sustainability

A SUSTAINABLE EVENT

As conference organizers, we knew since the conference organization beginning that our task extended beyond creating an interesting scientific event.
We were aware of the impact that international events have on the environment and the social and environmental responsibility that they involve.
All over the world, sustainability in events has become a paramount concern and the rising trend of incorporating sustainable measures into event planning is the answer to this concern and a commitment to reduce the ecological impact while maximizing the benefits.

With this in mind, we have been working for a green-oriented event, trying to adopt all possible best practices to respect and contribute positively to environment, society, and economy.

Main goals have included economic sustainaibility by prioritising local vendors to support local economy and community, environmental sustainability by reducing as much as possible the event ecological footprint and, last but not least, social sustainability by ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all attendees.

The host city, Torino: focus on green infrastructures and sustainable urban mobility

• The conference is hosted in Torino which in the past 25 years has made great strides towards a more sustainable and resilient city. The city has undertaken a sustainable development policy especially focusing on the urban environment, the green infrastructure system and the sustainable urban mobility.
  
  
• Torino has developed the Action Plan “Torino 2030, Sostenibile, Resiliente” whose vision corresponds to the UN 2030 Agenda and to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals towards a world without poverty, where the environment is protected and people have the opportunity to live in a state of peace and prosperity. The Action Plan compares each of the actions with the UN objectives, highlighting the challenges to which they respond.

The host venue, University of Torino: a sustainable campus

• The conference will be held at the University of Torino Aldo Moro campus meeting facilities. The University of Torino boasts a strong commitment to ecological and social sustainability.
  A specific university unit, the UniToGO office, has been created in 2016 as University hub for sustainability in order to foster and coordinate all university sustainable actions.
  More information on sustainability at the University of Torino can be obrtained on the University website and on its UniToGO sustainable office website.
  

THE CONFERENCE SUSTAINABLE MEASURES

Paperless policy

• The conference organization followed a paperless philosophy, prioritizing digital solutions such as digital event platforms for handling of registrations and paper submissions, website and webAPP, electronic newsletter etc. to minimize the use of paper both before and during the event.
  
  
• Production of printed items such as flyers, brochures, invitations, etc. in promotional activities was limited to a reusable save-the-date conference bookmark, the attendees' name badges and the final synoptic conference programme, to be distributed at the conference, which was printed on FSC-certified paper (FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, an organization that works to promote the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide).The conference proceedings will be created in digital edition only and made available online.

Urban mobility

• The conference venue is located in the city centre, easily reachable from the main railway stations (Porta Nuova and Porta Susa) both on foot or by bus or tramway. The local international airport is connected to the railway stations in about 30 minutes by train. Many hotels were available at walking distance or easily reachable by public transportation.
  

Catering services

• Catering services are mainly based on local products thus enhancing knowledge of local food traditions and reducing the environmental impact of food transportation.
  
  
• Tableware in Mater-Bi (biodegradable and compostable bioplastics) material only is used.
  
  
• The local caterer, as well as the conference PCO, is a ISO 20121 quality certified company, an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for event sustainable management.
  
  
• Great attention was paid to food waste. the conference joined the national programme “Food for Good”. Leftover food left will be donated to local charity organizations through the no profit organization Banco Alimentare Onlus.
  
  
• Alternative options for special dietary requirements are also available.

Local vendors

• All vendors are locally selected to foster local economy and reduce the impact of product transportation. All of them are committed to improve their sustainable actions and the conference has been used to raise their awareness on sustainable management of their business.

Sustainable giveaways

• Conference bags and lanyards are 100% made from recycled PET.

Reusable materials

• All structures used for signage and exhibition (e.g. signs, shell scheme booth, posterboards) provided by the organization are made of reusable materials.
  
  
• Plastic badge holders will be collected at the end of the conference and reused in future conferences.

Waste recycling

• A correct recycling throughout the event is ensured by providing clearly marked recycling bins all over the University premises.

General conference management activities

• The conference management company Symposium srl is a quality certified PCO according to the ISO 20121 quality international standard for sustainable event management.
  Sustainable best practices, such as the choice of paperless policy and the use of fully digitalized systemsfor pre-event activities (e.g. registration application submission and onsite registration procedures), have been adopted in all phases of the organization.
  

Social sustainability

• The conference organizing committee has been working in collaboration with Turismo Torino, the local tourist and convention bureau, for the promotion of Torino as a cultural and tourist destination. By showing their conference badge, attendees were entitled to interesting benefits on many city services such as reduced rates on the purchase of the Torino Card and reduced tickets for many city museums and guided city tours. Favourable fees for delegates were applied to public transport tickets. Discounts were also granted by many restaurants and shops.
  
  
• The conference dinner will be held at the historic Fontanafredda cellars, located in the Langhe region one of the most fascinating areas of Piedmont, the Torino region. This social event will enable attendees to discover the Piedmont wine tradition, one of the main cultural and economic treasures of this region.
  
  
• The conference grants reduced registration fees for students, encouraging the participation of young peopleto international scientific conferences.
  
  
• University students are also involved in the onsite conference organization. They have the opportunity to share an interesting international scientific and human experience.
  
  
• Health and safety at work was among the conference organization priorities. All onsite activities were planned in strict compliance with local laws and regulations. Attendees’ personal data were treated with full respect of current privacy regulations (EU GDPR 2016/679).
  
  
• Accessibility: accessibility is ensured in all conference areas.
  
  
• In order to improve online contents accessibility, a specific plugin that provides website visitors with the ability to adjust settings according to their needs was installed on the conference website.
  
  
• Fostering the culture of sustainability: the organization has done its best to raise awareness on sustainable practices in its communication activities.