IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

The Government of the Republic of Korea, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and IUCN are working together to make the World Conservation Congress a sustainable event.

Our aim is to minimize direct and indirect environmental impact relating to all aspects of the Congress and compensate for unavoidable negative impact, in order to leave a positive legacy. We endeavour to minimize consumption of natural resources and the production of waste related to all phases in the lead up to, during and after the Congress.

We foster action that avoids harm to biodiversity and human health, minimize our Carbon footprint and contribute to the sustainable development of the local economy.

IUCN wishes to engage all Congress contributors and participants to adopt an environmentally-sensitive and coherent approach. Every step towards a green event counts, whether taken individually or collectively. That is why we need you to help us minimize our ecological footprint and create a sustainable Congress. A few simple steps can make a big difference:

• Only bring what’s essential to reduce the weight of your luggage
• Make sure to never introduce any invasive species to the places you travel to
• Use the fuel-efficient shuttle buses provided, public transport, or cycle to commute between the Congress venue and your accommodation. A free bike rental service will be at your disposal throughout the Congress
• Minimize energy and water consumption during your stay – remember to switch off lights and tabs when these are not in use
• Minimize the use of paper and production of waste during the Congress. We’ll never say it enough: recycling is important. We strongly encourage you to recycle your litter whenever possible by placing them in the corresponding recycle bins
• If you have a stand at the Exhibition, follow our guidelines to ensure you contribute to sustainability
• Keep an eye out for your hotel’s environmental practices and ensure you contribute to their green procedure or point out areas that can be improved
• Contribute to the Jeju Carbon Offset Fund by opting for the Offset fee when you register online for the Congress

As the host of the Congress 2012, Korea and Jeju are responsible for selecting the suppliers and contractors for the facilities and equipment needed at the Congress. These range from environment-friendly accommodation to eco-certified furniture. The Host Country has also decided to rely on local natural resources, for instance by using local ingredients for the catering services.

Jeju arranged a number of eco-tours for the Congress Excursion day, on 13 September, giving participants a great opportunity to learn more about Jeju’s protected sites and take part in informal environmental outings.

In addition, the Host Country is carrying out ambitious plans in greening the venue as much as possible by installing green IT equipment, facilities running on clean energy generation and by assuring that labeled recycling bins will be within reach of their participants.

To show commitment to conservation, IUCN adopts an environmentally sensitive approach to the organization of the World Conservation Congress, in the hope of raising awareness and encourage others to follow similar green and sustainable steps.

We aspire to make our stay in Jeju and our use of facilities as sustainable as possible. We trust the Congress host, who is responsible for the selection of suppliers and contractors, will adopt the highest possible sustainability standards. The Host Country is in the process of enhancing the environmental facilities of the International Convention Centre Jeju (ICCJ) by introducing an energy management system, LED light bulbs and energy-efficient elevators, by improving the insulation system of the external glass wall and planting a green roof.

IUCN and the PCO strive to ensure that, together with managers of the ICCJ and Congress hotels, event-related activities follow green principles and policies. These are concerned with many aspects ranging from sustainable energy use to catering. CO₂ emissions onsite will be further minimized by providing fuel-efficient shuttle buses to all participants as well as some free bicycles.

IUCN intends to limit paper consumption before, during and after the Congress by providing all information electronically and by setting up tools to enable participants to network online.

To address unavoidable negative impact, particularly generated by air travel, IUCN has set up the Jeju Carbon Offset Fund (JCOF). This is financed by Congress participants who can voluntarily contribute to an offset fee set according to the distance travelled by air against the market price for premium carbon offsets and estimates of overall CO₂ emissions. In addition, IUCN commits to offsetting the emissions generated by staff, Council members and sponsored delegates.

The JCOF will be invested in a certified offset project, assessed according to a number of criteria. Organizations have now been called to submit credible projects, in accordance with the carbon offset guidelines.