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 adopts 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 aims 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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Project events: 

During fall 2023 a series of workshops and a second Innovation lab will be organised by the project. You find the dates, focus area and contact persons below:

September 20^th a workshop within mobility/passenger transport will be held. For more information, contact Hans Arby.

October 4^th a workshop within transportation of goods will be held (physical workshop in Gothenburg). For more information, contact Kristina Holmgren/ Michael Browne @handels.gu.se

A second Innovation lab with focus on a specific challenge related to transportation of goods will be held on 20th November. For more information on the Innovation lab, contact Azadeh Kazemi @businessregion.se

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Previous project events:  

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

On April 19^th 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 28th August 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 6th September 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.