The International Fair Trade Towns Conference is taking a number of measures to ensure the sustainability of the event.
The University of Edinburgh was selected as our venue, and is currently ranked 7th in the world and 2nd in the UK by QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025. Currently driving towards being a zero carbon and zero waste university, find out more about sustainability at the University of Edinburgh.
Our sustainability plan for the International Fair Trade Towns Conference 2025 includes:
- Provide vegan, Fairtrade/Fair Trade and local catering as far as is possible
- Food waste is kept to a minimum with portion control, proper storage, and efficient food preparation techniques, & any leftovers are offered to students & delegates
- Supply recycled or biodegradable materials for food containers with reusable catering serve-ware
- Ask you to bring your own water bottles & provide refillable water jugs and paper cups for those without a bottle
- Go paper-free with digital only copies of the programme, and speaker presentations
- Provide delegate badges made of bamboo and seed paper
- Promote the use of public transport
- Repurpose pop up banner bases no longer used, and add 100% PVC free and recyclable materials
- Off-set estimated carbon emissions from delegates flying to the conference by donating to global reforestation
- Procure Fairtrade organic cotton t-shirts for delegates from a known supplier with a fully transparent and sustainable supply chain
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion when promoting the conference to delegates, specifically inviting marginalised and under-represented communities
- Benefit the local economy by promoting local Fair Trade and other ethical businesses to delegates
- Provide opportunities to present Scottish culture and attractions
- Consider any other suggestions offered to us by delegates and partners to follow best practice in producing a sustainable event