INTRODUCING THE GREEN DEBATE WITHIN REED MIDEM In December 2007, Paul Zilk announced to his staff that 2007 would see the start of a long term project to introduce environmentally-friendly working practices within the company.
Why have you launched this project now?
Global warming isn’t a new phenomenon, but public awareness and debate is growing rapidly. One can react as an individual citizen or collectively as a company, which is what we intend to do.
The size of the environmental challenge facing the world is colossal and Reed MIDEM’s green initiative will be a drop in the ocean. However, I’m convinced that when it comes to global warming, every effort made by anyone is worthwhile.
As a company, what exactly can you do?
We have set up a GreenTask Force and every service within Reed MIDEM has its own green co-ordinator. We’re taking a hard look at how we use resources.
We’re maximizing our online communications in order to reduce our use of paper and printing the majority of these on recycled paper. we’re near to completing a feasibility study on how to print all of our publications — show guides, brochures, news magazines and press kits — on recycled paper.
Will we see environmental initiatives within the various tradeshows?
Our shows can be vehicles for promoting projects that have a positive impact in combating global warming. For example, our MIPIM, MIPIM Asia and MAPIC real estate conferences and keynote speeches have started to focus on the importance of environmentally-friendly property development and construction, or innovative strategies in energy management.
Our television tradeshows, MIPTV and MIPCOM, try to facilitate conference debate about the importance of creating environment-focused programming and perhaps introduce prizes for programming which deals with global warming.
On a more logistical aspect, we started to collect paper, cardboard and glass at MIPCOM 2007, and had encouraging first results. We also recycle, for each market the carpet and canvas covers, while continuing to explore environmentally-friendly materials and other recycling channels.
And regarding our music event MIDEM, we saw with Live Aid and Live 8 how the music community can mobilise global interest behind a cause. MIDEM is absolutely open to providing a platform for musicians to communicate on global warming and the environment, as well as to festivals to highlight their solutions in organizing greener live events.
CREATING AWARENESS OF GREEN ISSUES Our events enable global companies to forge relationships, exchange innovative ideas and achieve their business goals. They are also platforms to create environmental awareness and highlight good practices.
- Green-themed conferences:
Examples of topics addressed:
- MIPIM:
“The role of cities in managing greenhouse gaz emissions”
“Cities and urban designers: the climate change issue”
“The environmental challenge for our cities” - MIPTV:
TV production: Working together to make it green
Going green around the world showcase
On the way to a greener Europe - MIPCOM:
“Being Green – News Corporation Takes on Climate Change”
MAPIC:“Why retailers are going green”
“Retailing and Urban Sustainability: A Mayor’s Perspective” - MIPIM Horizons:
“Facing sustainable challenges: when politicians & real estate leaders shape the future”
Green Keynote: Khaled Awad, Property Development Director, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company - MIPIM Asia:
“Sustainable cities: can global events – such as the EXPO, Olympics, America’s Cup – be a catalyst for greener futures?”
“Risks & rewards in sustainable development” - “Green World Award”
The Green World Award recognizes personalities or companies raising environmental challenges awareness or working to implement innovative strategies and solutions. The last recipients were:
Yann Arthus Bertrand (MIPTV 2007)
Daniel Rossellat, president, Paléo Festival Nyon (MIDEM 2008)
Henrik Rasmussen, general manager, Roskilde Festival (MIDEM 2008)
Kevin Wall, founder & CEO, Live Earth (MIDEM 2008)
NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster (MIPTV 2008)
- Introduction of green criteria in the Awards
Creation of a specially dedicated “Green Category” within MAPIC, MIPIM ASIA and MIPIM Awards
FOSTERING ‘GREEN’ BEHAVIOUR In 2007, Reed MIDEM introduced systematic waste collection and recycling during the shows, as well as an increased use of recycled and recyclable materials. This is an ongoing initiative.
- Results in our last 5 shows in Cannes (MIPCOM 2007, MAPIC 2007, MIDEM 2008, MIPIM 2008, MIPTV 2008) were the following:
- 70% of all print communication printed on recycled paper
- 15,3 tons of carpet recycled
- 36,4 tons of paper and cardboard collected
- 5,2 tons of glass collected on stands
- Canvas covers were recycled into bags
