Sustainability Policy – “A Green Congress”

The IFAC 2014 NOC will endeavour to reduce the environmental footprint of the congress through the implementation of a sustainability policy. Listed below are some of the actions that will be taken during the planning phase and at the Congress.

Recycling: Paper, plastic, glass and tins will be recycled. Recycling centres will be set up around the venue and delegates will be reminded to make use of them in congress communications. Delegates will be encouraged to leave unwanted name pouches and lanyards for re-use. Unwanted stationery and delegate bags can be left for redistribution to less-fortunate schoolchildren as part of the IFAC 2014 social responsibility programme.
Locally-sourced materials: Congress materials including the delegate bags and lanyards will be produced locally with an emphasis on local job creation in South Africa’s disadvantaged communities.
Delegate handbook and other printed materials: Where possible, all printed materials will be printed on “Triple Green” paper produced at the Sappi Stanger Mill in South Africa, one of only a few mills in the world using sugar cane fibre as its primary source of pulp. The pulp is a by-product of the local sugar production and is an annually-renewable resource as well as a recycled raw material.
Online congress materials: All IFAC 2014 presentations, papers and abstracts can be available on the congress website to avoid the necessity of printing in hard copy. Alternatively, CDs or memory sticks can be produced with all congress materials pre-loaded (this is also a sponsorship opportunity).
The menu: Menus will be designed using local, seasonal produce. Condiments such as sugars and sauces will be served in glassware rather than individually pre-packaged. Water will be served from jugs and water coolers to avoid the waste created by bottled water. Cloth napkins will be used instead of disposable paper napkins. Cape Town International Convention Centre will also be asked to make use of a food re-distribution programme for the duration of the congress to deal with leftovers.
The venue: The Cape Town International Convention Center has eco-friendly policies in place, including an automated electricity-savings programme to prevent waste by lights, air conditioning and escalators; water-use minimisation systems using drip-flow irrigation and dual-flush toilets; an in-house recycling system; biodegradable cleaning agents; and the sourcing of local supplies to promote job creation and the sustainability of local farms and producers. The building itself achieves 77.1% compliance with the South African Energy and Demand Efficiency Standards.
Accommodation: IFAC 2014 hotels will be encouraged to follow a green policy for the duration of the congress. Hotels that do follow greening practices will be listed on the congress website. Delegates will be encouraged to assist with this policy by only changing linen and towels on request and remembering to switch off their lights and air conditioning when they are not in their hotel rooms.
Delegate bag inserts: Exhibitors and sponsors will be encouraged to provide only sustainable giveaways and limits will be placed on the number of delegate bag inserts. The use of sustainable materials such as soy-based inks and recycled paper will be encouraged, as well as limited packaging.
Speaker gifts: Promotional and speaker gifts should be made from sustainable materials, use minimal packaging, and be sourced locally (e.g. beadwork, wire crafts, etc).

Delegates at the Congress are encouraged to adopt this policy for the duration of the Congress.

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Sustainability Policy – “A Green Congress”

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