Introduction
Driving Change Through More Sustainable Events
At ICASSP 2025, we will create an environmentally responsible and socially impactful event that sets a benchmark for sustainability within IEEE conferences. We aim to reduce our environmental footprint, support the local community in Hyderabad, and inspire attendees to adopt sustainable practices in their work and communities.
Our Approach
By embedding sustainability across every phase of the event, planning, execution, and follow-up, we focus on reducing waste, promoting local sourcing, and fostering sustainability education. Through these efforts, ICASSP 2025 aims to leave a positive legacy for both the environment and the local community. The four core pillars of our approach are:
- Operational Sustainability: Implementing practical measures to minimize environmental impact.
- Participant Engagement: Educating and involving attendees in sustainability efforts.
- Communications and Reporting: Ensuring transparency and accountability through robust reporting and stakeholder engagement.
- Community Engagement: Supporting local economies and organizations.
Key Performance Indicators
Our success model is defined by Key Performance Indicators that inform our preparation, execution and reporting:
Operational Sustainability:
- Sustainable Menu: Provide 70% locally sourced and vegetarian menus.
- Food Donation Program: Donate surplus edible food to local organizations.
- Waste Reduction: Reduce food waste, and use of plastic, polystyrene and PVC in all areas of the event.
- Signage: Strive towards +80% of all signage and branding to be digital and/or made from more sustainable materials.
- Waste Reduction: Reduce food waste, and used of plastic in all areas of the event. Eliminate polystyrene and PVC.
- Waste Diversion Rate: Strive towards 50% waste diversion by improving waste segregation and food donation processes.
- Measurement: Gather data to measure and benchmark ICASSP’s carbon footprint.
Communications and Engagement:
- Awareness: Inform all registered participants about sustainability measures through pre-event emails, the conference app, and website content
- Program: Incorporate event sustainability content into keynotes, sessions, and other deliverables, aligning with the conference program areas
- Community Engagement: Source and provide locally made goods for attendees to support the local economy
- Visibility: Integrate sustainability in all aspects of on-site engagement
- Feedback: Gather feedback from at least 30% of attendees on sustainability efforts through post-event surveys or the event app
- Post-event Reporting: Distribute sustainability report summarising sustainability efforts and outcomes
Suppliers
Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC)
HICC has a publicly available environmental policy, a dedicated sustainability team, and annual targets to drive continuous improvement. Waste management efforts include measuring event waste by volume and stream, offering two-stream recycling, and eliminating single-use plastics where possible. Energy efficiency measures include LED lighting, movement-activated lighting and escalators. The venue’s heating and cooling is also regulated based on occupancy.
Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre Hotel
Novotel prioritizes energy and water efficiency through energy-saving light bulbs and a solar-powered hot water system. Water conservation measures include an atmospheric water generator and water-efficient landscaping for the hotel’s vegetable garden.
In the kitchen, a saving Liquid Off-Take (LOT) system was installed to prevent Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) wastage, enhancing energy efficiency in food preparation.
Acknowledgements:
ICASSP 2025 organising committee acknowledges the invaluable contributions of all suppliers and partners who provided expertise, resources, and support.
The sustainable event consultancy for ICASSP 2025, GDS-Movement.
The event’s CO2 emissions will be measured and reported using the Trace platform.