New program helps make campus events more sustainable

Calling all campus event planners! UCalgary’s Sustainable Events certification program is about to make it easier for you to plan inclusive, environmentally conscious and socially responsible events on campus and in the community.

The program includes a checklist of UCalgary-specific best practices as well as simple tools, resources and workshops to support sustainable decision-making throughout the planning process. Students, faculty and staff can certify events of any size at a Bronze, Silver or Gold level, and all certified events will be recognized on UCalgary’s sustainability’s website and social media.

“The new Sustainable Events Program directly supports the goals outlined in our Institutional Sustainability Strategy,” says Joanne Perdue, chief sustainability officer. “This program will make a connection between UCalgary’s sustainability goals and the decisions we make every day. Our community hosts thousands of events each year. By making it easy for everyone to take action, this program can lead to a substantial change.”

This past summer, UCalgary saw its first three certified Sustainable Events on campus: the President’s Stampede Barbecue, the Campus Mental Health Strategy’s Pop-Up Picnic, and Haskayne’s Stampede Breakfast (above). All three followed UCalgary’s new certification process and held successful and sustainable events.

“The Campus Mental Health Strategy is incredibly proud to have hosted the university’s first Gold-certified sustainable event,” says Andrew Szeto, director, Campus Mental Health Strategy. “Between the clear guidelines set out in the sustainable events checklist and the support offered by the Office of Sustainability, certifying the Pop-up Picnic was easy and straightforward. It was important for us take part in this initiative and work collaboratively to prioritize sustainability — it’s something that we all have a role to play in.”

To access the Sustainable Events Program, event planners are encouraged to visit UCalgary’s new sustainability website at ucalgary.ca/sustainable-events. There you will find the Sustainable Events Checklist, a Getting Started Guide to walk you through the certification process and tools and resources for additional support. Once your event is certified, your success will be posted on UCalgary’s Sustainable Events recognition page.

An introductory workshop, Certifying Your Sustainable Events, will be held in Mac Hall’s Bianca Room from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Students, faculty and staff who want to learn more about the Sustainable Events Program are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by Monday, Sept. 24. If you have any dietary considerations or accessibility needs requiring accommodation, please RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Sustainable Events is only one exciting sustainability initiative launching at UCalgary this fall. Starting in October, UCalgary employees will also have the opportunity to take action, earn badges and be recognized for their commitment to sustainability as part of the Sustainable Offices program.

For more information about Sustainable Events or Sustainable Offices, contact sustain@ucalgary.ca.