Cultural management is an essential part of sustainable development
In 2015 the historic and legally binding Paris Agreement gave us a road map to address climate change once and for all. 195 nations universally adopted this agreement, committing to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°c above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature. ENCATC wants to contribute to the achievements of the Paris agreement goals by continuing to build a “green” organisation through a sustainable management policy.
ENCATC: an environmentally responsible organisation
AWARENESS
Awareness of the importance of a sustainable way of life is enhanced and communicated to our members, stakeholders and followers, to assure they share our concerns about a greener future.
To help them be engaged and leading actors on climate change, we have released a special issue of our newsletter.
In March 2018, we have also started a new strategic cooperation with Julie's Bicycle; a charity bridging the gap between environmental sustainability and the creative sector. Thanks to this cooperation ENCATC launched a series called the Creative Climate Movement with the aim to empower our members, stakeholders and followers with cultural responses to climate and environment.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNICATION
Sustainable communication is considered whenever applicable: we disseminate documents and papers for meetings electronically (at least 80%); we communicate with members and stakeholders with e-format newsletter and reports; we have subscribed exclusively for online and e-format advertising and promotional material; we strive to use online services such as online banking, insurance and human resource services, wherever possible.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
In order to minimize our waste stream, we have a “Zero single-used plastic” policy at the office.We use only high capacity ink cartridges and recycled paper; we sort and recycle our waste; we are also trying to implement a circular economy in regards with the waste generated by our Annual Congress.
FOOD & WATER
We buy local and organic food and we drink tap water at the office. For our events and activities, we work mainly with organic catering (http://www.oups.be/). We avoid plastic/single serve containers, we try to offer more vegetarian options, and to have water bottled from local taps. We also try to adapt food quantity to avoid having unused leftovers.
TRANSPORT & ACCOMMODATION
Transport modes have the biggest impact on our carbon footprint. We make a constant effort to use public transport, whenever possible; we encourage our staff and members to use when possible the “slow travel” rule for travelling. We also organise online meetings and phone-conferences when possible to cut down on travel, and we pay attention to stay in green hotels,whenever possible.
