Sustainable Event
	The organization of any event often comes with negative consequences, both environmental and social. In fact, there is a significant increase in demand for natural resources (water and energy) and added stress on the local communities (pollution and waste). On the other hand, ecological organizing enables an integrated approach towards the minimization of the negative economic, environmental and social aspects of event management. The organization of the 16th IFOAM Organic World Congress will follow a precise ecological strategy in line with the principles of sustainable development, supported by the Region of Emilia Romagna, by the Province of Modena and by the local bodies hosting the Congress. Specifically, the Consorzio ModenaBio 2008, through the involvement of suppliers and delegates, will ensure that the planned activities, and those parallel, follow: The principle of coherence: products deriving from Organic Agriculture will be used; The principle of impact reduction: sustainable mobility choices will have priority, waste reduction and proper management will be pursued, maximum energy consumption efficiency will be studied and use of certified ecological quality products and services will be preferred; The principle of compensation: inevitable and non-reducible environmental impacts will be compensated - through a contribution of 5 € as part of all registration fees - by reforestation projects in Costa Rica and in the Province of Modena, which will guarantee the absorption of CO2 equivalent to the amount produced by the Congress. In line with the same project, delegates may also choose to compensate for their trip to Modena. The Modena GEV Forests Forever Association will manage the compensation process. During the Congress, the Hera Group will organize a big “Ecofest” for waste sorting, where everyone will speak, act and sort together.
	IFOAM - International Federation of Organic Agriculture | info@ifoam.org