Sustainability Policy

The Organising Committee for the IALE 2013 European Congress understand that large events, such as the IALE 2013 European Congress, can impact negatively on the environment, the local community and the economy. We are therefore committed to reducing any negative social, economic and environmental impacts of the IALE 2013 European Congress and to seeking ways to make a positive difference.

Our aim is for sustainability to be embedded into the planning, management and operation of the IALE 2013 European Congress, making the Congress as sustainable as possible. Ultimately our aim is to inspire future IALE events to improve sustainability.

Several objectives have been identified as having significant potential to limit the impact of the IALE 2013 European Congress. These objectives aim to impact positively by, where possible, reducing carbon from travel, food miles and energy usage; reducing waste, including paper, packaging and food waste; using water sustainably; and enhancing biodiversity. We will also ensure that the Congress is inclusive and provides opportunity for anyone interested in Landscape Ecology to be involved. This has included providing grants to students or early career researchers that may be in need of financial support. The local community will also be involved through local field trips, local guest speakers and a ‘Greater Manchester’ day.

We hope to inspire the behaviour of all stakeholders, including their members, employees and volunteers, to ensure all their activities, beyond the scope of the Congress, are sustainable. This includes working with suppliers to ensure they reduce their impact as much as possible. We encourage feedback from stakeholders and suppliers to continually develop our ways of working and to improve the sustainability of the Congress.

In the long-term we are committed to ensuring that the Congress provides a lasting legacy, by:

  • Reducing its negative impact on the environment.
  • Providing delegates with an informative and inspirational experience that provides value for money and continues to provide benefits for delegates in their future work.
  • Engaging with the local communities of Greater Manchester and the North West of England and providing opportunities for them to collaborate with and learn from delegates from all over Europe.
  • Promoting Manchester as a destination to delegates all over Europe.
  • Inspiring all future IALE event organising committees to improve upon the example set by this Congress.