.webp?language=en-US)
ASLA Conference Sustainable Event Reports
ASLA is committed to making the Conference on Landscape Architecture a model for sustainable event planning. Each year, we evaluate how the conference's greenhouse gas emissions and energy, waste, water, and material use. These assessments help us understand our impact and take real steps toward a more environmentally responsible and equitable event.
What We Measure
To improve each year, ASLA conducts a detailed sustainability assessment that looks at:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: Travel, venue operations, and event activities
- Energy use: Power needed for sessions, exhibits, and facilities
- Water use: How much water the event requires and where conservation is possible
- Waste and recycling: Trash generated, recycling rates, and opportunities to reduce waste
- Materials: Printing, signage, giveaways, and other materials used during the event
Through the annual assessments, we identify where we are succeeding and where we need to improve.
How We Use the Results
Findings from each sustainability assessment guide changes to reduce the conference’s footprint and increase equitable access. These improvements may include:
- Choosing more efficient venues
- Reducing printed materials
- Expanding recycling and composting options
- Cutting back on single-use items
- Encouraging lower-carbon travel choices
- Increasing EXPO donations to local non-profits
- Expanding access for local climate justice organizations
- Partnering with exhibitors who share sustainability goals
Transparency and Accountability
ASLA publishes the results of each sustainability assessment so members and partners can see our progress. Sharing this information helps us hold ourselves accountable and encourages others in the design and events industries to take similar steps.
Working Toward a More Sustainable Future
The conference brings together thousands of landscape architects, students, and allied professionals. By reducing its impact, ASLA aims to demonstrate how large events can be planned to be more equitable, reduce emissions, protect natural resources, and promote healthier communities.
ASLA Conference Sustainable Event Reports
-
Due to procurement decisions made by ASLA and sustainability measures adopted by the organization, ASLA achieved a number of goals for its 2024 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C.:
- 30,000 pounds of EXPO materials were donated to the local Habitat for Humanity and community partners
- 45% of EXPO flooring was multi-use carpet
- 12% of EXPO exhibitors signed the Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge and completed an impact survey
- 81% waste diversion rate, highest since 2022
- 90% of catered meals served on reusable serviceware
- More than $53,000 in positive climate contributions were collected from ASLA members to purchase 3,566 offset credits, a 190 percent increase over 2023. The contributions were purchased through ASLA's partner, the National Indian Carbon Coalition
- 1,600% percent increase in train travel, which was supported by a campaign about train and public transit use within Washington, D.C.
Actions
ASLA implemented these strategies for its 2024 Conference:
- Selected host city with train and public transit access and LEED-Gold Certified Convention Center
- Created climate change and biodiversity educational tracks at its Conference
- Implemented a communications strategy to reduce transportation emissions from attendees and exhibitors traveling to and from the conference and in the host city.
- Implemented a range of measures related to food, energy, water, and waste to reduce impacts.
- Made a positive carbon contribution by purchasing 3,566 tons of emission offsets
- Enhanced a sustainability pledge for EXPO exhibitors
- Provided free registrations for invited Washington, D.C.-based climate equity and justice leaders to attend the conference
- Provided free registrations for invited Washington, D.C.-based young climate leaders to attend the conference
The assessment was developed in partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a sustainability consulting company.
-
Please note: Data in the 2023 assessment has been updated in the 2024 assessment report.
Due to procurement decisions made by ASLA and sustainability measures adopted by the organization, ASLA achieved a number of goals for its 2023 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
- 100 percent of electricity from the grid used by the conference was generated from off-site solar and wind through renewable energy credits. The credits were then retired.
- 29,850 pounds of EXPO materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity, which is nearly 40 percent less than in 2022. This means exhibitors are leaving behind lower amounts of booth materials.
- A waste diversion rate of 71 percent was achieved, which is 4 percent higher than 2022.
- Recycling increased by 700 percent and composting increased by 165 percent in comparison to 2022.
- More than $43,000 in positive climate contributions were collected from ASLA members to purchase 1,225 offset credits, a 614 percent increase over 2022.
- 475 pounds of food was donated to People Serving People.
Actions
ASLA implemented these strategies for its 2023 Conference:
- Creating climate change and biodiversity educational tracks at its Conference
- Implemented a range of measures related to food, energy, water, and waste to reduce impacts
- Launched a new sustainability commitment for EXPO exhibitors
- Providing free registrations for invited Twin Cities-based climate equity and justice leaders to attend the conference
- Developed a strategy to reduce transportation emissions for attendees and exhibitors traveling to and from the conference and while traveling in the host city.
The assessment was developed in partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a sustainability consulting company.
-
Please note: Data in the 2022 assessment has been updated in the 2024 assessment report.
Due to procurement decisions made by ASLA and sustainability measures adopted by the organization, ASLA achieved a number of goals for its 2022 Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Francisco, California:
- The ASLA 2022 Conference was hosted at the Moscone Center conference facility, which is 100% powered by renewable hydropower and rooftop solar.
- 49,500 pounds of EXPO materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity.
- More than 900 students attended the conference for free in return for volunteering.
- $7,000 in carbon offset contributions were collected from ASLA members
The Sustainable Event Impact Assessment was developed in partnership with Honeycomb Strategies, a sustainability consulting company.
-
Each year, ASLA will update its carbon calculation methodologies to reflect the latest data, scientific advancements, and evolving regulations, ensuring accurate and standardized greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting across industries and regions. These updates incorporate changes in energy use, fuel types, industry practices, and technological advancements.
By regularly updating these co-efficients, regulatory bodies ensure that carbon calculations remain accurate, reflecting shifts in carbon intensity, energy efficiency, and technological innovations. Globally, this process is overseen by national and international regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For example, the EPA’s eGRID database is updated annually with the latest emission factors for electricity generation in the U.S. while the EEA provides carbon co-efficients for EU member states based on energy consumption and grid performance data. Through its GHG Inventory Guidelines, the IPCC offers a global framework with standardized emission factors that countries around the world use to align their carbon calculations with the latest science.
Businesses and governments use these updated emission factors to meet regulatory compliance and international climate goals, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement.