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Conference & Event Carbon Calculator
Conferences are held to bring people together at a single location to present, promote or discuss themes of common interest. Such events can involve delegates, speakers and staff travelling a range of distances to and from an event using a variety of transport modes and making use of venue facilities and materials. Conferences can vary in size and duration, from something small and local that lasts an afternoon to something large and international held over several days.
Hence, an opportunity exists for conference organisers to address their events' carbon dioxide emissions, help raise awareness of the related impacts, and potentially save money. On a larger scale, this helps contribute to our combined efforts to combat climate change.
The Schumacher Institute's Conference Carbon Calculator has been designed to make it easy for conference and event organisers to address their events' emissions. It provides emissions estimates that are based on official UK Government emissions data and can be used for conferences held in the UK for attendees travelling from inside the country or from abroad.
The Calculator was also designed with the aim of providing a cheaper alternative to hiring and paying for consultants. However, if you are looking for a more extensive audit of an event, the Institute can provide a quote for such bespoke services. These will be charged for according to the amount of detail required. Please contact martin@schumacherinstitute.org.uk
Please note that although the Calculator has been designed with conferences in mind, it can be used for any type of event where a building or similar facility is used. The venue heating, lighting and electronic equipment figures have been built around average conference venue data that also include the use of an overhead projector, laptop computer, microphones and speakers. The five other areas of emissions can apply to any type of event.
The Calculator software consists of three different tools, known as Options 1, 2 and 3. If you would like to use the software, first please download and read the Information Sheet below to help you decide which tool would be the most suitable for you.
To use the Calculator, a conference organiser inputs data about conference attendees' travel and accommodation arrangements and the use of catering, paper consumables and recycling at the venue. Heating, lighting and electronic equipment values are based on average figures. The Calculator converts this information into an amount of carbon dioxide emitted and an equivalent monetary value.
If you would like to use the software, but are not based in the UK, international versions have also been constructed, which will be available for download shortly.
All software and supporting documents are offered free of charge.
If you would like to make a donation in line with your event's emissions and the results produced by the Calculator, the Institute can work with you to display your participation in the project on your website and event materials. This is an opportunity to address CSR issues and advertise your organisation's efforts to address them. Any donations will be placed into the Global Citizens Community Fund, which will help to finance sustainable development in communities around the world. Please visit The Converging World for more information.
Please note that Option 1 requires the User Manual for Option 1, the Attendee Survey and the Organiser's Spreadsheet, as well as the Option 1 Tool. Option 2 requires the User Manual for Option 2 as well as the Option 2 Tool. Option 3 is self-explanatory and requires only the Option 3 Tool.
Should you wish to find out how the Calculator was constructed, please download the Methodology Report.
Any feedback or queries about this software are welcomed. Please contact: martin@schumacherinstitute.org.uk
Information Sheet
User Manual for Option 1
Attendee Survey
Organiser Spreadsheet (up to 250 attendees)
Organiser Spreadsheet (up to 500 attendees)
User Manual for Option 2
Option 2 Tool
