The international effort to promote greenhouse gas management has extended from each individual organization‘s GHG inventory to the inventories of overall supply chains. This not only allows for the integration of GHG information and accelerated management of GHGs in the supply chains but also spurs industries to calculate carbon footprints as they provide or produce various services or products. Note: Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted directly and indirectly during the life cycle of an activity, service or product.

In general, the scope of assessing the carbon footprint of a product or service, when viewed from a life-cycle perspective, can be divided into two types: cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave. In other words, the assessment covers carbon emissions produced at all stages of a product’s (or service‘s) life cycle, from extraction and manufacturing of raw materials, manufacturing and assembly, to use, and disposal or recycling. In short, the carbon footprint for convention centers is assessed based on the total carbon dioxide emissions produced directly and indirectly by the activities of the convention centers.

The carbon footprint verification for Taiwan MICE events is led by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA. It has assisted in the 2010 Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA) Show, the 2011 Taipei International Cycle Show and the 2011 Taiwan International Green Industry Show exhibition activities to obtain carbon footprint certification. It also assisted in obtaining carbon footprint certification at other conferences and exhibitions, and such endeavors have underscored the government’s determination to actively promote green exhibitions.

Moreover, the Taiwan MICE Pilot Project led by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA has identified the promotion of green convention centers as a key task. This year, the Bureau will assist the 6th Asia-Pacific Congress on Catalysis (APCAT-6) in conducting its carbon footprint verification. APCAT-6 is organized by the Catalysis Society of Taiwan and carried out by Elite Professional Conference Organizer, both of which have vowed to cooperate in the verification process in order to create a sustainable environment. APCAT-6 will be assisted by the designated professional agency as well as the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), which is responsible for collecting and calculating carbon dioxide emissions and gaining PAS2050 international certification under the Taiwan‘s MICE Promotion Project.

Verifing the carbon footprint at convention centers is done in three stages: before, during and after the event.

Each stage has its own procedures:

Many large international exhibitions have gradually begun to incorporate environmental awareness into their standard operating procedures. It is evident that carbon footprint calculations can greatly assist Taiwan-based businesses in the MICE industry in gaining a greener understanding of the industry. Hence, a greater appreciation of the ways to cut carbon encourages those business to adapt such measures at the early planning stage. This project strives to inspire exhibitors, participants and visitors to adapt a fresh mindset and behavioral model to help cut carbon emissions across every facet of the MICE industry.