The Madrid Convention Bureau is giving organisers everything they need to improve the environmental and social impact of their events. The organisation has compiled a list of charities, from the Spanish Red Cross to anti-desertification nonprofit Reforesta, to help organisers partner up with local entities. It has also updated its digital platform and published a downloadable sustainability guide, laying out a roadmap for event planners to leave a positive mark on Madrid.
PLUS – digital tool for tracking sustainability
In 2021, the bureau launched the first digital tool for sustainability management – PLUS (Platform for Legacy with US). Now, the platform has been updated and improved.
Organisers can create sustainability reports for every event hosted in Madrid. Upon inputting the relevant data, they will receive recommendations prior to the event about ways to minimise its environmental and social impact. After the event, the platform can then calculate the total carbon footprint.
The platform is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, laid out by the UN in its 2030 Agenda, which include zero hunger, quality education, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and clean, affordable energy. Another new feature is the addition of emission categories. Users can classify emissions according to three groups: direct emissions, indirect emissions and supply chain emissions.
Guide to local charities in Madrid
The Madrid Convention Bureau has partnered up with organisations tackling problems within social communities and the environment. This is part of a growing initiative for host destinations to create a net positive, not neutral, impact on the local region.
Share Knowledge Share Life blood donation campaign for EHA Congress 2024As per this initiative, Madrid has released a booklet guide to help organisers work towards this. The Directory of Social Organisations is a comprehensive list of nonprofits, charities and associations operating in Madrid, including:
Spanish Red Cross – voluntary humanitarian organisation that provides help to vulnerable people and communities (22,385 volunteers in Madrid alone)
Reforesta – nonprofit working to fight desertification and promote the growth of vegetation
Work for Social – association connecting professionals interested in volunteering with social organisations in need of specialist help
Downloadable MICE Sustainability Guide
The Madrid Convention Bureau has also published the MICE Sustainability Guide, available for download on the Madrid Convention Bureau website. The guide breaks down sustainability into environmental, economic and social categories.
For each of these subheadings, the document offers suggestions on how to implement the UN’s SDGs in each individual event. Madrid will encourage organisers to plan their events in line with the 17 SDGs.
The concrete steps Madrid is taking
Beyond the documents, the Madrid Convention Bureau is also putting practices in place to promote sustainable action. Some of the steps it is taking include:
Selecting suppliers with sustainable methods, such as 0% waste policy and complete avoidance of single-use plastics
Reusing and recycling of materials
Planning projects with a positive social impact, in collaboration with Madrid organisations
With this series of initiatives, Madrid aims to push ahead and establish itself as the city that gives organisers a complete guide to holding impressive, socially and environmentally-beneficial events.
