The CCSE Convention is not just a gathering on the subject of sustainability, it is itself a sustainable gathering. For that reason the Convention organisers plan to carry out a series of measures which will ensure that this event serves as a good example of environmental respect.

Offsetting CO2 emissions

- Since it was first held in 2008, the Convention has been collaborating with the CeroCO2 project, promoted by the NGOs Ecology and Development, and Acciónatura. This initiative consists of calculating, reducing and offsetting greenhouse effect gases generated by the holding of this event, particularly those produced by the transporting of the convention members to Albacete, and the dimensions of the space being used in the Conference Centre. In 2008 the Convention offset 64 tons of CO2 through the “Carbon hijacking in small farms located on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula” project, spearheaded by FONAFIFO, and which includes activities aimed at developing the local economy, generating income for the local inhabitants in return for environmental services, through the Pay for Environmental Services programme.
In this 2nd Convention, 92 tons will be offset through the following project  “The El Bote mini-hydro-electric power station and Nicaraguan rural electrification project”.

Recycling and sustainable materials

All the information generated before, during and after the convention will be disseminated digitally and on the convention website. Those documents which, by their very function, need to be printed out, will be so on 100% recycled paper. The type font used for the official texts will be Sprang eco sans, a font which includes tiny little holes that the naked eye does not notice, but which help to save 20% in ink usage. And in each communication that is sent out by email or is posted on the convention website, we will include the following notice: “Before printing this message please make sure that it is necessary. The environment is in our hands”. Finally, the invoices sent out to convention members will be generated as pdf’s, and users will be able to download them from the internet, thereby avoiding the need for them to be printed out on paper. 
As was the case in 2008, all the articles given out to convention members will be made of sustainable materials, from document wallets made of recycled card and paper, to pens made of corn paste.
A system of selective waste collection will be set up in the Conference Centre, with particular emphasis on the area of stands, to collect containers, glass, paper, card and organic waste. Furthermore, for this very reason those involved in the exhibitions are requested to apply certain criteria of sustainability as much in the design as in the assembly of their stands.


Venue, accommodation and sustainable hotel management

The Conference Centre (Palacio de Congresos) may be reached by public transport, which will be free of charge for convention members. Furthermore, the use of bicycles will be encouraged; a map of Albacete’s cycle lanes will be distributed, and a permanent series of cycle racks will be provided at the entrance to the building. And for those who are reluctant to use their own vehicle, the “Comparte tu CO2che” scheme will make it possible for convention members staying in the same hotel to come to an agreement to share cars on the way to the Conference Centre. The official chauffeurs who will drive the speakers and organisers will be given a prior course in efficient driving. Commitment to public transport will be appreciable from the moment at which convention members start their journey towards Albacete, with a 30% discount having been arranged on all the RENFE train lines, while the air companies Iberia and Air Nostrum will be offering discounts of 40%.
All the hotel rooms in Albacete will include a note asking guests not to put their towels out to be washed every day, while sheets will likewise not be changed on a daily basis. This measure will help to save water and energy, and reduce the use of washing powders.
On the high table and in the conference’s catering service bottled water will be replaced by glass jugs, which will entail a considerable saving in terms of packaging. Wherever this is not possible, 1l bottles will be used. Another sustainable alternative which will be introduced will be the serving of free trade coffee.