Biophysical Methods

According to Gasparatos et al. (2007:6), the aim of biophysical models is to “quantify aspects of sustainable development through a natural science perspective”. These quantifications do not depend on human preference, but on “biophysical parameters that can be precisely measured” (Gasparatos et al. 2007:7), which cannot quantify effects that have occurred on a festival site, for example transport or travel emissions. Additionally, the biophysical method cannot “account for the indirect impacts associated with resource consumption” (Collins & Cooper 2017:150), for instance the energy used.

Moreover, biophysical methods consider the amount of energy that has been spent to produce a product or service. Sulser et al. (2000:114), define the biophysical assessment as “well-established, technical, and instrument- or laboratory-based methods in environmental, soil, and water quality assays”, which are usually assessed on long-term.

References

Bellocchi, G., Rivington, M., and Matthews, K. (2009) ‘Validation of biophysical models: Issues and methodologies, in: Sustainable Agriculture’. Springer Netherlands [online] pp. 577–603. available from: <doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0394-0_26> [3 March 2019]

Collins, A. and & Cooper, C. (2017) ‘Measuring and managing the environmental impact of festivals: the contribution of the Ecological Footprint.’ Journal of Sustainable Tourism [online] 25:1, 148-162. available from: <DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2016.1189922> [7 March 2019]

Gasparatos, A., El-Haram, M., Horner, M. (2009) ‘The argument against a reductionist approach for measuring sustainable development performance and the need for methodological pluralism’. Accounting Forum [online] 33, 245–256. available from: <doi:10.1016/j.accfor.2008.07.006> [4 March 2019]

Sulser, T.B., Duryea, M.L., and Guevara-Cuaspud, E. (2001) ‘A field practical approach for assessing biophysical sustainability of alternative agricultural systems.’ Agricultural Systems [online] 68, 113–135. available from: <doi:10.1016/S0308-521X(01)00003-8> [7 March 2019]

Environmental Impact Assessment

As Everard et al. (2013:93) mentioned, the aim of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is “to quantify and understand the effects a new development will have on its surroundings”, which social and environmental aspects are included on the calculation. Additionally, EIA has the purpose of evaluating the effects or impacts of a project, which is “affecting the environment” (Jay et al. 2007:287).

Moreover, this assessment is frequently used in local, regional and national events or other projects. Furthermore, EIA is a systematic method, which is taking into account potential impacts or consequences, that need to be approved and proceed in an acceptable manner before taking a decision. To continue this process, EIA “provides the mechanisms for development proposals to be amended where necessary” (Jay et al. 2007:288). Petts et al. (1999:4), underlined EIA as a simple and positive process, “as it allows for adaptive and flexible implementation to meet particular legislative, administrative, social and political circumstances”.

The process, to assess the environmental impact of your Event, is divided into nine categories, representative of areas affecting the impact, which can have on the surrounding macro-environment, which are the following: location; energy; water resources; catering; promotional giveaways; materials; internal travel; waste management; and participatory approach (Boggia et al. 2017:838).

Tips to turn your Event more sustainable and reduce the environmental impact:

Location: bicycle park facilities, save space that is used for the event, avoid structures that need removable plastic covers.
Energy: venue powered by renewable energy, turn off appliances when not in use, fuel saving generators.
Water resources: tap water for the attendees to fill their own bottles, constantly check if there is any leaking taps or appliances.
Catering: vegetarian and vegan options, seasonal, organic and local catering, avoid single use of waste products.
Materials: avoid plastic materials, such as straws, balloons, plastic bags, provide digital materials instead of paper materials.
Internal travel: easy access by public transport, increase car sharing and travel on foot.
Waste management: recycling facilities, reusable materials, donate food that has not been consumed, eco-friendly materials.

References

Boggia, A., Massei, G., Paolotti, L., Rocchi, L., and Schiavi, F. (2017) ‘A model for measuring the environmental sustainability of events’. Journal of Environmental Management [online] 206, 836-845. available from: <doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.057> [7 March 2019].

Everard, D., Fagan, C., and McDonnell, P. (2013) ‘Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), in: Sustainable Food Processing’. Wiley Blackwell [online] pp. 93–102. available from: <doi:10.1002/9781118634301.ch05> [7 March 2019]

Jay, S., Jones, C., Slinn, P., and Wood, C. (2007) ‘Environmental impact assessment: Retrospect and prospect.’ Environmental Impact Assessment Review [online] 27, 287–300. available from: <doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2006.12.001> [7 March 2019]

Petts, J., Wood, C., and Therivel, R. (1999) Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment: Volume 2: Impact and Limitations. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd.

Tukker, A. (2000) ‘Life cycle assessment as a tool in environmental impact assessment.’ Environmental Impact Assessment Review [online] 20, 435–456. available from: <doi:10.1016/S0195-9255(99)00045-1> [7 March 2019]

Life Cycle Analysis

As Jones et al. (2017:235) advocated, life cycle analysis (LCA) is a “technique used to assess potential impacts associated with a material or product through all its interlinked stages”. Additionally, the aim of LCA is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of “resource use and emissions or by-product” (Jones et al. 2017:235) and subsequently a final assessment to interpret the results is conducted.

This analysis across the life cycle, provides a different perspective when making a decision about that product or service, the LCA process thus consider five steps: raw material acquisition or extraction; material processing; product manufacturing use; and recovery or retirement. Sometimes the transportation stage is also included in this process (Clark et al. 2011:565).

Moreover, LCA studies have been focused on the “quantification of energy and materials used and wastes released into the environment throughout the life cycle” (Cabeza et al. 2014:396). Therefore, to evaluate the sustainability of your Event throughout the Life Cycle Analysis, three aspects are proposed to be taken into consideration:

Impacts: Any impacts of your event on the environment.
Scope: Consider all life cycle stages for your event and the products that are used during the event.
Metrics: Measurements from actual product or event life cycle, supported by data.

References

Ayres, U. (1995) ‘Life cycle analysis: A critique’. Resources, Conservation and Recycling[online] 14, 199–223. available from: <doi:10.1016/0921-3449(95)00017-D> [6 March 2019]

Cabeza, F., Rincón, L., Vilarino,V., Perez, G., and Castell, A. (2014) ‘Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) of buildings and the building sector: A review.’ Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews [online] available from: <doi:10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.037> [5 March 2019]

Clark, E. (2011) ‘Life-cycle assessment, in: Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability’. Cambridge University Press [online] pp. 565–576. available from: <doi:10.1017/CBO9780511718786.047> [5 March 2019]

Jones, M. (2016) Sustainable Event Management: a practical guide. 3rd edn. Oxford: Routledge