HOSPITABLE CLIMATES
UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) at the EICC 2007
JULY 2007
Why conferences can’t ignore climate change…..
Low energy use, projects which conserve and restore native woodlands, and sustainable food sourced locally – these were just three of the strategies the UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) placed at the heart of its Annual Public Health Forum this year.
As a charity promoting public health, the UKPHA is keen to embrace a positive and responsible attitude to the big environmental issues of the day, and this was very much reflected in the three-day event held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). Indeed it was also a key element in the conference programme.
“Climate change and environmental degradation will affect human health at all levels,” says Angela Mawle, UKPHA Chief Executive. “There is a strong link between the shift from sustainable food sources to processed food and the impact that has on health and obesity. We are also faced with many other health issues as a result of climate changes causing water shortages, damage to infrastructure and a rapid growth in refugee numbers.
Angela Mawle, UKPHA Chief Executive
“We set targets for the conference in terms of carbon emissions, electricity and water usage,” she adds. “We organised sustainable and environmentally-friendly conference bags hand-made in India by women from poor communities. We encouraged delegates to make donations to a project which conserves and restores native woodlands, supports community involvement in woodlands, and develops sustainable timber utilisation to offset the event’s carbon footprint. And we were very careful with paper. Electronic newsletters were the main form of communication, with just one conference flyer printed on paper – and that was 100% recycled paper from sustainable forests. The EICC supported and advised on how we could achieve our goals and amongst other things arranged recycling points for us throughout the event for paper, cans, glass etc.”
The environmentally-aware approach also extended to the food, combined, as you would expect, with an emphasis on healthy options. “We worked closely with the head chef at Leith’s at the EICC during pre-planning for catering, and he was outstanding both in terms of his recommendations and understanding what we required,” says Angela. “He suggested lamb as it was a more sustainable meat here in Scotland – and all produce was sourced local to the EICC. Despite our budget constraints as a charity, we were not made to feel any less important than a large organisation with a more money to spend. The service was considerate and thoughtful.”
As well as lunches and dinners, the food programme included a range of healthy energy foods such as the ‘Smoothie Bar’ sponsored by the British Dietetic Society and a ‘Fresh Fruit’ market stall sponsored by Slimming World. To keep delegates active and to encourage exercise, there was also the option of a guided walk around the city visiting the famous Mary King’s Close, the hidden city underneath the Royal Mile, a warren of hidden ‘closes’ where people worked, lived and died – a ghostly highlight of the tour.
“We appreciated the EICC’s support in many other ways ” says Angela. “Such as the escalators being turned off when not in use, the cooperation in the use of tap water in ‘Scottish Water’ branded jugs and the recently launched shuttle bus which encouraged the sharing of transportation.”
There was a strong arts theme at the conference. “Last year we used movement and dance, this year voice and song,” says Angela. “It helps improve mental health and gives people confidence when they can use music and instruments to overcome any shyness they might otherwise experience. It has been proven that people receive huge benefits from joining a choir, and that singing and using wind instruments can significantly improve respiratory conditions. So this year, we had a choir, strolling minstrels and pipers as well as ‘Fringe’ type entertainment – as you would expect in Edinburgh!”
On the final day of the conference the UKPHA launched A Call to Action on Climate Change and Health. “The UKPHA is about joined up thinking and working” says Angela. “The Government says health is largely a lifestyle choice but there is no choice in an unequal society. The conference identified issues that really matter, issues that need to be discussed in depth and tackled at Government level.
“The conference was a great success,” adds Angela. “The energy and passion of the organisers is very important because you have to create an atmosphere that is refreshing and vibrant, away from the shackles of an ordinary working day. The EICC proved a wonderful venue with great support. The team there was creative and responsive, allowing us to relax and achieve what we came to do. We were given the freedom of the centre and it felt familiar and welcoming”.
Key facts
Event: 15th Annual Public Health Forum
Client: UK Public Health Association (UKPHA)
Date: 28-30 March 2007
Delegate numbers: 850
Conference theme: Creating a debate around the theme of climate change and health
Fact: 40 delegates from the conference visited the Scottish Parliament to hear the health policies of seven parliamentary candidates
What is the UKPHA?
The UK Public Health Association is an independent, UK-wide voluntary association that brings together individuals and organisations from all sectors who share a common commitment to promoting the public’s health. As a multi-disciplinary organisation, it seeks to promote the development of healthy public policy at all levels of government and across all sectors. It acts as an information platform and aims to support those working in public health both professionally and in a voluntary capacity.
Angela’s top 10 tips
- Set conference targets for carbon emissions, electricity and water usage.
- Choose a venue with good public transport links that is close to a good range of hotels. Also, ensure it has a good shuttle bus service to reduce unnecessary car and taxi use.
- Ensure that conference food is from local, sustainable sources.
- Use tap water rather than bottled water – it’s just as good!
- Encourage delegates to make donations towards projects which offset the event’s carbon footprint.
- Organise walking tours of the area, rather than coach tours.
- Use electronic newsletters rather than paper publications.
- If you need paper communication, use recycled stock or ensure it is from a sustainable forest.
- Ensure there are recycling points throughout the venue.
- Instead of plastic conference bags, use sustainable and environmentally-friendly bags produced by social enterprises giving skills, income and dignity to poor communities.
For further information please contact Sandy Pearson, Marketing Manager,
EICC on
t. 0131 519 4093 e. sandyp@eicc.co.uk, www.eicc.co.uk