Sustainability
Noise Control in a More Sustainable Future
Winner of the Soundscape Prize
Sustainability Working Group for Internoise 2022
Inter-noise 2022 Sustainability Working Group have been working to promote sustainability through travel, wellbeing, in our field of acoustics, and in our legacy. Learn more about our policies and activities below and make sure you visit us on stand 4 in the exhibition hall to learn more.
Scottish Wildlife Trust
From major landscape-scale restoration projects in the Highlands, to reintroducing beavers back to Scotland for the first time in 400 years, the Scottish Wildlife Trust have projects range widely in size, scope and timescale.
Their conservation projects focus on a wide range of species and habitats, and all lead us closer to achieving our vision. Find out more about some of their projects.
It is not always possible for people to escape the noise of the city to a more natural environment so creating sound environments for wellness is an essential nutrient for sustainable cities. This soundscape should aim to make a noisy and reverberant space more relaxing and restorative to support the wellbeing of the listener.
The main theme of the piece should be inspired by Natural Scotland but from the perspective of Glasgow, with this context providing an anchor and sense of place, drawing from the rich human heritage of the area. The piece should embrace and explore humanity’s fundamental reliance on our natural world, providing a journey for the listener.
We are excited to hear the finished piece but in the meantime you can see the inspirational piece.
Sustainability at the Venue
The sustainability of events is more important than ever and Inter-noise 22 has a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint. Inter-noise 22 will be held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). As a world-class venue the SEC is prioritising better outcomes for clients, community, and our environment through sustainability strategy and their SEC Net Zero 2030 ambition.
SEC strategy to reach net zero centres around five key goals: climate, governance, partnership, people and resource, each providing the focus for the work that lies ahead. Central to achieving the goal is the development of an ambitious energy strategy which will transition the venue to net zero. Actions around water efficiency, green travel, supply chain engagement and waste management are also being implemented.
Working with staff, organisers from the Inter-noise 2022 Sustainability Working Group, partners and visitors forms part of the overall engagement plan to support the net zero journey.
This SEC goal is focused on reducing the carbon footprint through energy management, water efficiency, green travel, and supply chain engagement. Central to SEC Net Zero 2030 target is the development of an ambitious energy strategy which will inform the carbon management plan. Already, 100% of SEC electricity comes from renewable sources.
SEC believes good food is good for our event and good for our planet.
That’s why the SEC has been working with Levy UK+I to create amazing food direct from Scotland’s natural larder.
SEC are committed to using a minimum of 80% Scottish-sourced, seasonal food, grown by producers using sustainable and responsible agriculture processes, offering healthier choices for us and our planet.
Key pillars
- 80% Scottish sourced produce minimum
- 50% plant-forward, guided by EAT Lancet principles
- Quality local producers with high animal welfare standards
- Less than 1% kitchen food waste by 2025 or sooner
- Remaining food to anaerobic digestion or Launch Foods charity
- 70% of meat, dairy / veg. from regenerative agriculture by 2030
- Low carbon dishes validated by labelling on menus
- 100% reusable or recyclable packaging by 2023
- Suppliers becoming signatories of the Climate Hub
- Science based GHG targets in line with SBTi criteria
SEC have been working with Trees for Life for over a decade and in this time, they have supported the growth of almost 170,000 trees in the Caledonian forest. For every conference hosted at the SEC a contribution is made to TFL on behalf of the event.
The SEC supports ‘Trees for Life’, the conservation charity dedicated to linking up several fragments of the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands to create a corridor of native woodland. Trees for Life, aims to restore the wild forest of the Caledonian Forest, a globally unique habitat which has suffered from centuries of neglect and deforestation, but which once stretched from coast to coast.
SEC began supporting Trees for Life in 2007 and over the subsequent 9 years sponsored over 200 acres of wild forest which enabled the natural regeneration of 158,669 trees. Since 2016, 10,176 trees have been planted on behalf of the SEC’s conference delegates. For Inter-noise 2022 the SEC will contribute the equivalent of 8 trees or more.
Travel Sustainably
Train – UK
The campus has its own dedicated railway station – Exhibition Centre. There are six trains an hour from Glasgow Central station. There are more than 20 direct trains per day from London. Direct trains from Edinburgh run every 15 minutes on weekdays.
Scotrail is the main operator in Scotland and has information on the West Highland Line, the North Highland Line and Caledonian Sleepers (overnight trains from Scotland to London).
The main UK train companies operating in Scotland are:
ScotRail Giving you quicker, more comfortable, and better value journeys from door to door. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/
Caledonian Sleeper Wake up to a unique way of travelling https://www.sleeper.scot/
Avanti West Coast Get fast and frequent trains from London, Birmingham & towns and cities across the North West of England into Glasgow. https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/destination-guides/glasgow
Cross Country Check real-time running information, get prices, and buy tickets for the whole National Rail network. https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/
East Coast Delivering unbeatable service. https://www.lner.co.uk/
Transpennine Express Linking key cities and major towns in the North and Scotland. https://www.lner.co.uk/
Train – International
Glasgow is well connected to mainland Europe via London and Edinburgh. For cheap rail tickets, book in advance here https://www.raileurope.com/en-gb/destinations/trains-uk
Calculate travel carbon footprint
Show you care for the environment and communities across the World. Use the World’s most popular online carbon footprint calculator, and it’s FREE. https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
Carbon impact of air travel
In general, plane travel causes the highest CO2 emissions. Many of us find ourselves in a dilemma. Due to our generally increasing international awareness, we know very well about the causes and effects of climate change. While we know that carbon emissions from flights are a significant factor, we travel around the world to attend conferences, do research visits, and conduct fieldwork.
The Sustainability Working Group would like to share some reflections on these challenges and opportunities for responsible travel to Inter-noise 22:
Stay grounded
- Develop a decisions tree to help you make sensitive travel decisions.
Many experts argue offsetting is a false solution to reduce emissions, so how about setting a company challenge to wake up to a unique way of travelling, on the Caledonian Sleeper, for example, or could your company hire an EV car?
A key argument for taking the flight rather than more eco-friendly modes of transportation is the issue of time constraints. The SWG argues that this issue is linked to a question of work culture, where there is a tendency to focus on efficiency from the perspective of fast results. However, a long train ride does not have to imply lower efficiency as it is a mode of transportation allowing for better opportunities than an airplane to e.g. to prepare for a conference or conduct meetings. Moreover, trains offer easy access, unlimited luggage, no waiting times, and comfortable seating and sleeping.
Set a Carbon Budget and Offset for essential air travel
- Offset plane travel emissions
An example from academia in Germany shows that expressing serious concerns regarding short-haul business flights can lead to considerable changes. The initiative Scientists for Future (#unter 1000) has chosen the self-regulation approach to voluntarily refrain from business flights below 1000 km to set an example for climate protection. Also, Ghent University in Belgium no longer reimburses plane travels to any location within a six-hour bus or train ride. Several other universities such as Arizona State University, University of California or Yale University have implemented internal carbon pricing policies. Find our more here https://scientists4future.org/
An effective option would be the implementation of a binding Carbon budget at the company level, and to offset air travel greenhouse gas emissions if plane travel is deemed necessary. You can then purchase carbon credits with industry experts Climate Impact. Carbon offsetting means purchasing a carbon credit and ‘retiring’ the unit to compensate for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. When a company has offset, the emissions that it was unable to reduce are equal to the amount of carbon credits retired. https://www.climateimpact.com/business-solutions/carbon-offsetting/
Engage your Board – open a conversation about Sustainable Travel
- Change your company culture
Employees who are passionate about sustainability can be powerful agents of change within an organisation.
The Sustainability Working Group can provide information and resources if you would like us to support you in becoming a Sustainable Champion. You could engage your company decisions makers and colleagues to begin a conversation about sustainable travel, company carbon foot printing or nature commitments. All Sustainability Champions will be celebrated at Inter-noise 22. Contact Katherine Howlett at Sustainable Acoustics for support, or to let us know what you’re working towards in your organisation. We’d love to celebrate with you. khowlett@sustainableacoustics.co.uk
