McGill University
IN-18: Green Event Certification

The McGill Sustainable Events certification program is an initiative from the Office of Sustainability that provides consultations, trainings, and resources to encourage and support more responsible events at McGill. The program focuses on events' environmental impact (carbon footprint, waste management), inclusivity (diversity of organizers, programming, and participants), and accessibility (reducing barriers). The McGill Sustainable Events Team helps raise awareness of sustainable best practices for event planners at McGill and helps to reduce material waste generated by events on campus.

The certification level is attributed on a points-based model using the following percentages of points obtained:
Bronze: 50-75%
Silver: 75-90%
Gold: 90% or above
Platinum: 95% or above AND at least three of the following five actions:

1 - You calculate carbon emissions related to transportation and purchase carbon offsets.
2 - Only vegan and vegetarian options are available; no meat is served at all.
3 - Event uses only reusable dishware and/or invites participants to bring their own dishware.
4 - Both organic waste and recycling are available, and bins are clearly identified.
5 - The event is zero-waste. No material waste is produced and/or participant are invited to bring their own materials.

Virtual Events: Virtual events receive their Sustainable Event certification when they reach 80% of the available points or above.

How each criterion is addressed:
Sustainable transportation options, teleconferencing options, and/or carbon offsets
Checklist items:
- Ensure that your event location is easily accessible via public transportation.
- Purchase carbon offsets for greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation.
- Allow participation via webconference.

Sustainable catering (e.g., sourcing local and third party certified food and beverages, providing vegetarian/vegan options, using reusable/compostable materials)
Checklist items:
- Ask about dietary restrictions and provide labelled options.
- Provide vegetarian and vegan food and beverage options.
- Provide organic, seasonal, local, and/or fair trade food and beverage options.
- If alcoholic beverages are served, offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
- Use sustainable dishware options.
- Reduce food service and food packaging waste.
- Make a plan for the potential of surplus food.

Paper consumption (e.g., minimization and recycled/FSC certified content)
Checklist items:
- Reduce material waste and promotional items distributed at your event.
- Minimize printing and adhere to McGill Paper Policy standards.

Energy efficiency (e.g., equipment and lighting)
Checklist items:
- Hold your event outdoors or in a certified green building.
- Invite participants to turn off their cameras in order to conserve energy [online events only]

Waste minimization and diversion
Checklist items:
- Use sustainable dishware options.
- Reduce food service and food packaging waste.
- Make a plan for the potential of surplus food.
- Comply with McGill's single-use water bottle ban.
- Reduce material waste and promotional items distributed at your event.
- Minimize printing and adhere to McGill Paper Policy standards.

Communications and/or signage about the sustainable practices
Checklist items:
- Create awareness and/or take action on one of McGill's long-term climate & sustainability goals.
- Communications for your event are bilingual.
- Publicize the accessibility features of your venue (or lack thereof), including information on accessible entrances.
- Publicize information related to the sustainability of your event.
- Collect participant and stakeholder feedback.
- Record your event or provide an event recap to enhance knowledge sharing.