Everything is coming up green

It’s fitting that a conference on a green energy source like hydropower would help to set a new “green” standard for conferences. And that’s just what the Canadian Hydropower Association achieved with its ninth annual forum held in Ottawa.

At the conference opening, Canadian Hydropower Association Chair Colin Clark pointed out that there were no paper napkins or similar disposables.

“We’re aiming to leave zero waste,” said Clark, who also is executive vice-president and chief technical officer of Toronto-based Brookfield Renewable Power. With more than 160 generating facilities in North America and Brazil, Brookfield is a key player in hydroelectric power, generating 95% of its energy from renewable source.

The CHA took its zero footprint mandate seriously. Registrants were asked upon arrival about their mode of transport. If they came by car, they were asked whether it was a shared vehicle. The CHA used the collated responses to purchase carbon credits from Planetair, a carbon offsetting company which counts federal political parties and others among its partners.

Indeed, it seems everything is coming up green these days, even energy-focused conferences.