Introduction

Inspired by the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) that took place in Denmark’s capital in December 2009, seven innovative organisations created a coalition to further increase the sustainability of this event and other large international meetings in the future. The initiative is called the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol (CSMP). The CSMP offers a flexible, umbrella framework that can be used to organise large, complex meetings in a more sustainable way. The protocol is intended to inspire planners to strive for excellence sustainability in the management of their meetings now and in the future. The CSMP is an advanced level guide designed to complement the many existing guides present in the market, and it will not only help corporate, government or association event organisers, but also consultants and managers of venues and large hotels. It is designed to be used in combination with its sister document, the COP15 United Nations Climate Conference, Copenhagen, Event Sustainability Report. This report provides in depth details of the COP15 sustainability approach, initiatives and performance.

The chapters of the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol are listed underneath, please click on the icons to read more about each subject:

                                                                                                               
Introduction                                      Sustainable Event Management          Introducing the Protocol Framework
  


Leadership Commitment                    Strategic Approach                            Stakeholder Engagement
  

                                                                                                                    Sustainability and the future
 Operational Integration                     Governance                                       of the meetings industry 
 

Press:

“Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol” for the Global Events Industry launched on World Earth Day
(19 April 2010)

Exclusive video footage and interviews from COP15
(03 February 2010)

COP15 climate conference stakeholders to launch Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol
(16 October 2009)

Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol Introductory concept note
(30 September 2009)

Launch of the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol: 

CSMP and COP15 Event Sustainability Report webinar slides
(April 22 2010)

To watch the recorded webinar, please click on the follwing link:

CSMP and COP15 Event Sustainability Report webinar


The official COP15 film:

COP15 COPENHAGEN FILM - Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol

    

Useful links:

About the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen December 7 - 18, 2009:
www.cop15.dk/  

Support the efforts towards change:
www.hopenhagen.org

Arranging green and responsible meetings in Denmark:
www.visitdenmark.com/groenne-moeder 

Copenhagen, the green meetings destination:
www.meetincopenhagen.com

Certified green conference venues in Denmark:
www.groennekonferencer.dk

Experience sustainable Denmark for visitors:
www.visitgreendenmark.com  


Professional technical visits and study trips for Danish climate and energy solutions:
www.energytours.dk  

Engaging, efficient, green and responsible meeting concepts:
www.meetovation.com  

Sustainablility at Novo Nordisk:
novonordisk.com/sustainability 

MCI Sustainablity Services:
www.mci-group.com/csr.aspx

APEX - Accepted Practices Exchange:
www.conventionindustry.org/apex

GRI - Global Reporting Initiative:
www.globalreporting.org

British Standards - BS8901:
www.bsigroup.co.uk/en/Assessment-and-Certification-services/Management-systems/Standards-and-Schemes/BS-8901/

Less Conversation More Action:
www.lessconversationmoreaction.com 

Joint Meetings Industry Council: 
www.themeetingsindustry.org/

Related articles:

Decoding Sustainability Standards
- by Elizabeth Henderson

Partners:

The Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Coalition represents a wide ranging team of key stakeholders within the meetings industry: 


Bella Center A/S (Congress and conference centre - the venue of COP15.) 

VisitDenmark (National tourism and meetings organisation).

Wonderful Copenhagen (Convention & Visitors Bureau).

The City of Copenhagen (Municipality). 

MCI Sustainability Services (Sustainability consultants). 

Novo Nordisk A/S (Pharmaceutical corporation).

The Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the logistical organiser of COP15.







The partners believe that large events such as COP15 have the potential to transform destinations, as they touch hundreds of industries and thousands of people. Events are the most effective form of communicating and motivating change, and the global meetings industry must evolve to achieve a higher standard for more effective and efficient business practices that integrate sustainability into day to day operations and strategic management. An objective of this project is to facilitate change towards sustainability in the meetings industry and show the way into the future.

With the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol the partners also hope to:

- Inspire continuous action and sustainable development in the meetings industry

- Share knowledge and learning from COP15

- Contribute and influence the meeting practices of large event organisers

- Help destinations to accelerate transformation to become more sustainable host cities

- Use the protocol to increase adoption of key global sustainability standards and certifications

COP15 United Nations Climate Conference, Copenhagen, Event Sustainability Report

The organisation of COP15 was an inspiring example of how large events can facilitate sustainable destination transformation. Through active, positive stakeholder engagement initiatives and ongoing improvement of the event management system, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs charted a course for success that can now serve as model for cities and event owners around the world. 

The COP15 event management system took a strategic approach to sustainability that was underscored by the use of the BS8901 sustainability management system for events and by reporting triple bottom line results using the GRI guidelines. The key sustainability strategies, lessons and insights gained from organising COP15 have been developed into the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol. 

Please click here to download The COP15 Event Sustainability Report


COP15 carbon footprint - Approach and methodology 

A report that describes the methodology and results of carbon footprint measurement of the COP15 has also been made. The approach and measurement is commissioned by Deloitte to the Danish Minis-try of Foreign Affairs. The report can be used as back up for the data in the COP15 Event Sustainability Report as it explains the considerations, measurement and calculations used to determine the COP15 carbon footprint.

Please click on the following link to download the report:

COP15 Carbon Footprint - Deloitte 2010