FCM offsets carbon footprint at TBTC

FCM Travel Solutions has taken the unprecedented step of offsetting the entire carbon footprint generated by delegates and exhibitors attending this year’s Business Travel Conference (TBTC) making the event carbon-neutral for the first time.

Taking place on June 17th and 18th at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith, TBTC 2014 features a comprehensive conference programme, workshops and exclusive exhibition of leading industry suppliers. It is aimed at everyone with responsibility for booking, buying, arranging or handling business travel and meetings at companies both large and small. 

Some 200 delegates have registered to attend from travel administrators, PAs, secretaries and office managers to procurement and finance personal. In addition 60 exhibitors, including FCm Travel Solutions as headline sponsor, have booked stands in the private exhibition area.

FCM is working with leading carbon consultancy CNI UK who will calculate the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by travel to and from TBTC by all participants. Measurement will involve the generation of a GHG inventory to accurately account for emissions using standardised GHG accounting methodology.  Offsets can be chosen from CNI UK’s diverse portfolio of VCS and GS carbon credit-generating projects from around the globe, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, destruction of various industrial gases, and carbon sequestration – either underground, in soil or forests.

TBTC Event Director Kirsty Hicks comments: “This is a fabulous initiative from FCM Travel Solutions. Awareness of environmental issues is back on the agenda now the economy is improving and we all know businesses are an integral part of climate change solutions. To be able to show our event is entirely carbon neutral adds greatly to our own eco-credentials and those of all our participants.”

Jo Greenfield, general manager FCM UK said: “We are delighted to be taking part in TBTC 2014 as a headline sponsor, but we wanted to do something really different this year to show our commitment not only to the business travel industry, but to the environment.”