Sustainability at AIEC

Over the past decade we have worked towards making AIEC a more environmentally friendly event, by embracing our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and recognise the need to make smarter choices for our planet and the generations to come.

We know that physical events are by their own nature very taxing on the environment, and we have a long way to go to make our event fully sustainable and carbon-neutral, but we are committed to keep working at it and improving each year.

We welcome ideas and suggestions from you. Please give us your feedback after the event.

Making AIEC a more sustainable event

We are working with our suppliers and contractors towards reducing the environmental impact of AIEC in the following ways:

Minimising conference give-aways

Not offering a conference satchel, and instead encouraging delegates to bring their own conference bag.
Asking exhibitors and sponsors to consider and reduce the environmental impacts of their conference marketing materials.
Encouraging exhibitors to reduce giveaways, and instead upload digital materials, videos, and links directly to their exhibitor profile which is accessible to all delegates via the app and the conference virtual platform.

Reducing waste wherever possible

Working with the venue to ensure that we minimise waste, maximise recycling and reduce waste to landfill.
Donating leftover food to local food charity organisations.
Requesting delegates RSVP to social functions to ensure we do not over cater.
Ensuring lanyards can be reused or recycled, and choosing to print on recycled cyclone silk plastic.
Ensuring coffee cups are reusable or biodegradable.

Reducing single-use plastics wherever possible

Using reusable crockery.
Using tap water instead of bottled water.
Using paper name tags without plastic pocket holders.
Offering delegates refillable water bottles and having water stations placed throughout the venue.
Reducing the number of single-use signage, such as pull-up banners and session room signage.

Going paperless wherever possible

Ensuring the registration process can be completed entirely online, from filling out the registration form to arriving onsite with a QR code sent to your email that can be scanned directly with your phone or tablet.
Ensuring all information about the event is online and readily available on tablets and smart phones.
Replacing the paper program with the app and virtual platform, and only offering the Program at a Glance as a PDF that can be viewed on an electronic device.
Replacing paper signage with digital signage where possible throughout the venue.
Ordering long-life signage that is not specific to the AIEC year (that can be reused in future conferences).

Minimising the environmental impact of our food choices

Making more sustainable food options available including plant-based, seasonal and locally-sourced where possible.

Working with exhibitors and suppliers

We ask that all our exhibitors consider their sustainable practices, and request that all sponsored items, giveaways and merchandise be responsibly sourced.

Carbon offsetting

Asking attendees to consider offsetting carbon emissions for travel and accommodation if the option is available within their institutions

Sustainability practices at ACC

Adelaide Convention Centre aims, through the implementation and application of the ACC’s Environment and Social Sustainability Policy, to commit to Fair Trade Principles where feasible. Further details can be found at adelaidecc.com.au/about/about-the-centre/csr/

CANIE

The Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) is a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need for the international education sector to step up and act on climate. CANIE serves as a platform to bring the sector together to act as a catalyst for action.

Since its inception, AIEC has supported the work of CANIE by: