Solutions for climate-smart events

CO2 emissions from transport must be reduced to almost zero by 2030. This goal must be achieved without curbing people's travel needs, which include the opportunity to meet others and to experience new things. In this project, we will develop, test and evaluate new solutions for the hospitality industry and make progress towards sustainable, emission-free events.

The proportion of events' total emissions that is attributed to transportation is commonly significant. Transportation is, however, not the only source of emissions related to events. This project adopted a systems approach to focus on goods and passenger transport, catering, overnight accommodation and other energy-consuming resources that are required for the production and consumption of events. For each of these areas, the project aimed to develop and trial new solutions within the Gothenburg area. 

Events comprise a unique opportunity to showcase new innovations and simultaneously reach people in situations where they are more open to change. The project's focus on climate measures aims to support Sweden's innovativeness and benefit the Swedish hospitality industry. The project also aims to create spinoffs in terms of transport and mobility innovations that can be implemented in other Swedish cities, municipalities and regions, and which can scale globally.

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Final project activities: 

The final seminar was held on November 6th 2024.

"The seminar took place at Göteborg & Co´s premises at Johan Willins gata in Gothenburg. Results were preented and the future of the digital toolbox was discussed with partners and stakeholders. The presentation from the public part can be found at the bottom of this page. The final report from the project will also be posted here in March 2024.

The project group is seeking new funding to develop the Climate & Event tool into a resource that can be disseminated within the events industry in Sweden. If you are interested in participating in the continued development, please contact Steven Sarasini at RISE or Erik Lundberg at the University of Gothenburg

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Previous project events:  

During fall 2024 further tests of the digital tool were performed with project partners, but also  by external stakeholders.

Workshops and Innovation labs:

On January 29th, 2024, a matchmaking event for project partners was organised to find additional solutions to test during summer and fall. For more information, please contact  Steven Sarasini or Filip Eklund @goteborg.com 

On November 20th 2023 the second Innovation lab was orgnised. Two cases of transportation of goods to events were in focus. The results from the lab show promising solutions that will be worked on further within the project. For more information, please contact Azadeh Kazemi @businessregion.se 

On October 4th 2023, a workshop with focus on transportation of goods and climate smart solutions was held. For mor information contact  Kristina Holmgren or Michael Browne @handels.gu.se

On September 20th 2023, a workshop with focus on mobility and passenger transport was organised. The workshop was built upon the results of the previously held Innovationlab. The workshop collected information to the digital tool that is being developed as a support for event organisers. Some general conclusions regarding timing for information to event visitors were drawn. For more information contact Hans Arby.

On September 6th 2023 a follow-up meeting of the earlier workshop on ”Roads to a climate smart and more delicious event” (Vägar till ett klimatsmart och godare event) was held. Checklists for event organizers, educational materials, and climate calculations for meals were discussed. Event organizers presented the actions, trends, and changes they see within the field, as well as the concrete measures they have already implemented at their events. For more information, contact Maria Nehme O’Neill.

On 28^th August 2023 a digital workshop focusing on “Energy and resource utilisation at events” (Energi och resursanvändning) was held. At the workshop, discussions were held regarding the support and tools that can assist event organizers in changing the structure and offerings of energy, merchandise, consumables, and waste management. The discussions also included what has been tried already, and what one would like to try at events to reduce energy and resource consumption. For more information contact Jamilla Nilsson

On April 19^th 2023, a digital workshop with focus on “Climate smart solutions for food and drinks” was held. The discussions circled around the challenges, demands and potential solutions from the perspectives of mealtime providers, event organisers and visitors. For more information, contact Maria Nehme O’Neill.

On April 18^th 2023 the first Innovation lab with focus on passenger transport/mobility was performed. For more information, contact Azadeh Kazemi @businessregion.se

Tests: 

In October 2024, nudging techniques were tested during the sale of vegetarian sausages at GAIS football matches at Ullevi. For more details on the results, read the final report from AP3 

During summer 2023 the project have performed two tests regarding visitors travels to Coldplay’s concerts at Ullevi. In addition tests regarding the reuse of textiles for merchandise and personnel at events were evaluated in collaboration with Anna Lindgren Sicence Park Borås. For more details on the results, se the final report from AP3 and the report on event clothes

Other project happenings: 

From November 2024 onwards there is a version 1.0 of the digital toolbox available for use by the project's partners.