A look behind the scenes of the ASEM Summit (3/3)
An eco-responsible approach: respect the environment and do not throw anything away! Overall, the Belgian Presidency is making it a point of honour to organise all of its events with the most complete possible respect for the environment. This is how, within the framework of the ASEM, this 'eco-responsible' approach will materialise.
This 'eco-responsible' approach is expressed in "the preference given to the collective transport of the delegations in contrast with moving an ‘army’ of individual vehicles. So we will make a shuttle (a bus) available to the delegates, which will transport them from their hotels to their meeting places. The STIB is our official partner in this project." Very obviously this will also limit the CO2 emissions.
Belgian eco-responsibility is not restricted to the movements of the delegations. It also prevails concerning equipment, particularly in the Palais Royal, which will host the Heads of delegations. "It has been possible to make energy savings evaluated at 90% because the thousands of light bulbs in the Palace have been replaced by LEDs."
A third example of sustainability in the organisation: "in the press centre, we are giving priority to the use of recyclable material (everyday dishes used by the journalists: tumblers, etc.). One of the selection criteria for our partners in catering was that they guarantee us a daily distribution of the food that is not consumed. Nothing is being thrown away. At the end of the daily activities the surplus is being given to the social restaurants, the ‘restos du cœur’, or to other associations which will take care of redistributing these meals."
The same approach is being taken for the floral decoration of the Palais Royal. "We have been working with the Floralies of Ghent (flower show), which enjoys an international reputation. We have asked them to see that all bouquets placed in the Palais Royal can be redistributed to hospitals, retirement homes, residential leisure centres or other places in which a few bouquets could cheer up the atmosphere a little."
A final example on this subject: the presents from the Presidency. No books as gifts! Experience shows that the delegations are not always interested, and that often enough the books given are found in the rubbish. This time the selection of gifts is being made based on their immediate usefulness. "They will be worn or they will be used at the table. They will constitute a ‘sustainable souvenir’ of this Summit for the delegates, who might come back four or five years from now with their gifts around their neck, who knows! That would be nice!"
