Why Do Virtual Events Have A Lower Environmental Impact Than In-Person Events?

In the present era, where virtual space has become the new norm, virtual events in every company are growing at a spontaneous rate. With their unparalleled performance, virtual events have currently become the first choice of digital marketers and have become an essential part of every modern industry.

But Why Virtual Events?

Virtual events aren’t just an alternative to in-person events, they are an opportunity to assemble sales objectives, conceptualize strategic processes, and improve business relations.  Present technology has now become accessible and attainable to most of the working world. There is no reason why present-day events cannot be within reach of everyone, making the process more and more sustainable. 

Additionally, hosting virtual events does not necessarily take away the end goal of each event. Every individual participating from another location can easily benefit from virtual events as much as the physically present guests and possibly, even gain more. 

Let’s face it, physically attending events can be favorable when it comes to face-to-face networking. It can also be disadvantageous in effectively managing your time.  Going to and fro the location of each event is a hassle. Most importantly, of course, virtual events help save the environment.

Shifting to virtual events grants you the opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint in a multitude of ways:

Removing Travel

Emissions from travel steadily contribute to threats to our environment. Major conferences and tradeshows draw the attention of a surprising number of people from all over the city and even the country. 

In regards to reach, it’s certainly very impressive but incredibly detrimental to the environment. Imagine hundreds of people attending an event and how many vehicles it takes for them to get to it.

Reducing Waste 

From printed materials to disposable cups and plates, since events last several days, refuge waste tends to pile up significantly. Physical events require a significant amount of print materials just for the convenience of each attendee. 

Examples are brochures, ID tags, wristbands, pamphlets, and even flyers to advertise to passersby. There is also additional refuge waste from pens, paper plates, and cups that pile up during the event. It takes a great number of resources and materials even to produce said items. 

Unfortunately, most, if not all, of these items end up in a landfill versus being reused and recycled. The best benefit of virtual events is that it eliminates the need for the aforementioned items above. Furthermore, organizers can instead distribute the same information through websites, PDF files, and emails.

Carbon Footprints in Hotel Stays

There would always be several people who would attend most, if not all, the days of the event, which is why they will tend to seek accommodations in a hotel. Unfortunately, these stays end up being a major contributor to an increased carbon footprint. 

Due to the amount of waste they produce, hotels aren’t very eco-friendly.  Hotel accommodations provide complimentary bath supplies, and most are disposable for convenience’s sake at the expense of the environment.

When choosing to host or attend an event, virtual events ultimately minimize waste. That way, you can implement internal carbon pricing strategies into your event planning with ease.

Decreased Energy Usage for Equipment, Lighting, and Temperature Control

Nowadays, we cannot discount the fact that energy consumption is an integral part of our work, enjoyment, and our overall lives. We cannot avoid energy usage completely; however, we can improve how we use energy to be more sustainable.

Most electricity is used in workplaces, homes, and businesses to power various equipment such as temperature systems, computers, phones, lights, and refrigerators. The energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature in a space, especially in a large conference center, is significant. 

Furthermore, there are a lot of events held in the summer season, which in turn leads to longer usage of multiple air conditioning systems. Conferences, too, use a large amount of energy through audio equipment, lights, computers, projectors, and various appliances needed for catering.

Now, virtual attendees would still, in fact, use their air conditioning or heater, but they would most likely be using that equipment in a smaller space, making energy consumption less compared to physical events.

Allowing virtual attendees to access events through their tablets or smartphones can also reduce energy consumption. Encourage people to prevent digital eye strain as well through the use of “night light” features.

Conclusion

By choosing to host or attend virtual events, you will be contributing to the betterment of the environment by being efficient. We are constantly adapting to our ever-changing world, and virtual events are here to stay. 

These improvements will ultimately help to reach a wider audience while also reducing the size of your carbon footprint. When all is said and done, physical events should be for truly special occasions, not for every single event that can now be done online.

Check out more environmentally friendly tips over at our main site here.

Author: Katie Pierce