Help Article Carbon Neutral & Carbon Offset Icons
We have recently introduced two new icons into www.myeventschannel.com. The Carbon neutral icon and the Carbon offset icon.
Updating the Carbon Neutral & Carbon Offset flags in MEC
Carbon Neutral:
This section of the portal is where the venue adds the flag awarded to them for being Carbon Neutral.
What does being Carbon Neutral mean?
This is where the carbon emissions for a venue as a whole are calculated. This will include heating, food waste, water, energy, lighting - basically everything that enables them to operate your venue. The venue will then purchase credits in various projects (hopefully verified carbon or gold standard projects) to offset the carbon emissions that have been calculated - this makes you carbon neutral.
When updating the venue profile, the venue will need to explain which projects they have invested in and the organisation that certified them, or that they worked with to be carbon neutral.
Example (up to 300 characters):
We have been certified as Carbon Neutral by Smart Carbon for the year 2021/22. We are currently investing in Verified Gold Standard Reforestation projects in Haiti.
Carbon Offset: This section of the portal is where the venue adds the flag awarded to them where they calculate & offset carbon emitted by each and every meeting or event.
What does carbon offset mean?
This is different from being carbon neutral. A venue is entitled to display the carbon offset flag when they calculate the carbon emissions for each individual meeting or event and then purchase credits to offset the carbon emissions for that meeting or event. It is something they need to do for each and every meeting or event separately.
Again when the venue adds the carbon offset flag, they need to explain the calculation and projects they are investing in to offset the carbon.
Example (up to 300 characters):
Venue Z offers Carbon Neutral Meetings that support sustainable development projects, reduce carbon emissions, and protect the environment. Our Meeting Impact Calculator creates a custom report detailing the carbon, energy, water & waste generated by your meeting or event. Venue Z will offset your event’s carbon emissions by investing in a portfolio of high-quality carbon reduction projects with our partner, Trees4Travel.
These icons are displayed to both agents & clients and are shown on client proposals as well as GRATIS and venuedirectory.com.
Venue Support Team - Process
Changes to these flags will appear in the Approvals Queue - you need to check that the flag has been set and sufficient detail is included to explain why the venue has achieved this. This should include the organisation they are working with, how they calculate the carbon and the projects they have invested in. (See examples above).
If the venue has not added in the detail required, the flag should be removed.
Send an email to the person who updated the information explaining why we have removed the flag and explaining the information they need to complete when they update the Carbon offset or Carbon Neutral flag.
When the venue updates this again, it will come into the Approvals queue and can be checked.
Should the venue be unsure or have any questions, please refer them to Elaine Long
Suggested Email Template 1
Good morning/afternoon,
I hope this email finds you well.
I notice that you have recently updated the Carbon Neutral/Carbon Offset icon on www.myeventschannel.com. We always promote venues that are sustainably focused and its great that you are doing your part in championing sustainability, and reducing your impact on the environment.
Unfortunately, we have had to remove the flag temporarily as there's not enough detail in the text section explaining how you calculate the carbon emissions, the organisations you’re working with and the offset projects you’re investing in.
Please log in to www.myeventschannel.com to complete this mandatory information and reset the Carbon Offset and/or Carbon Neutral flag including any parameters or exceptions. We’re delighted to display these icons across our platforms making your venue stand out from the rest, and promoting your achievement to our booking agents and clients.
If you have any questions or would like help in updating the icon and text, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards
Email Template Example 2 - Carbon Offset Flag
Good morning/afternoon
I hope this email finds you well.
I notice that you have recently updated the Carbon Offset icon in www.myeventschannel.com. We always promote venues that are sustainably focussed and it's great that you are doing your part in championing sustainability, and reducing your impact on the environment.
The Carbon Offset icon should be used when, as a venue, you calculate the carbon emissions from each and every meeting or event you hold in the venue and then offset these emissions through offset projects. (I have been advised this is not done centrally through Accor and that each venue is responsible for the carbon offset from their meetings and events.)
When completing the Carbon Offset information, as well as setting the flag to yes, you also need to complete the mandatory text detailing how the carbon is calculated, the organisations you work with and which offset projects you have invested the carbon emissions from each and every meeting or event. Unfortunately, we have had to remove the flag temporarily as there is not enough detail in the text section explaining this.
The venue affected is xxxxxx
Please log in to www.myeventschannel.com to complete this mandatory information and reset the Carbon Offset and/or Carbon Neutral flag including any parameters or exceptions. We’re delighted to display these icons across our platforms making your venue stand out from the rest, promoting your achievement to our booking agents and clients.
If you have any questions or would like help in updating the icon and text, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards