Viparis, certified ISO 20121 since 2014 - Event Sustainability Management System - for all of its sites, sets a 12-year program committing to sustainable growth.
With more than nine million visitors to ten major event venues in Greater Paris, including the Palais des Congrès de Paris, where the Paris Design Summit will be held, this year the Viparis Group has embarked on a massive reduction of the ecological footprint generated by all this activity. This sustainable development goal is so crucial that it now defines the organization’s DNA, as well as that of its collaborators and employees.
How?
With the implementation of the new BetterEvents – Viparis 2030 plan, that masters sustainable best practices.
These target a 70% reduction of the carbon footprint for existing facilities, 35% for development projects and 70% greater efficiency for waste recycling. Each site is studied to identify solutions promoting biodiversity and preservation of flora and fauna.
The project will give impetus to 70,000 square meters of green space on the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles site, making this the largest roof farm in Europe.
Eighteen beehives have also been installed on the sites, generating no less than 300 kg of Greater Paris Honey, that won two gold medals at the Ile-de-France honey competition for its 2017 harvest.
Access and transport
The transport of persons and merchandise represents 88% of the group’s Co2 emissions. This is a major factor for the logistics of the 350 industry events, 257 salons, 100 conferences and 34 shows on the annual calendar for Viparis.
To reduce the impact of all these journeys, 100% of the sites will be accessible by sustainable modes of transport by 2030, expecting that by raising public awareness, 80% of visitors will opt for ecological travel options.
An electric car sharing system will soon be available for participants at the Palais des Congrès de Paris. This service will subsequently be deployed for all the venues.
People power
Collaborators are also asked to consider sustainable development if they want to forge links with Viparis.
A new sustainable development procurement policy was implemented in 2014 and since then numerous local partners have helped create value.
This willingness and commitment has been readily embraced by both employees at the venues and management.
Each unit across the enterprise has elected social responsibility ambassadors. They motivate, inform and tutor their co-workers about projects and initiatives.
Because sustainable development is everybody’s business.
Viparis is proud to be part of such an important event as the Paris Design Summit, collaborating on the World Sustainable Design Framework - Horizon 2030, for a greater future for us all.
By Isabelle Laramée
Translation James Rae
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