EBRD’s Annual Meeting - Georgia’s first major carbon neutral event

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is putting a special emphasis on environment protection by making the 24^th Annual Meeting in Tbilisi carbon neutral.

The EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum is being touted as one of the first major carbon neutral events in the country.

In a special statement the EBRD today said it was compensating for the environmental impacts of its Annual Meeting and Business Forum, which will begin tomorrow, with offsets from Georgia’s largest Enguri Hydro Power Plant (HPP).

The refurbishment of the Enguri HPP was financed by the EBRD several years ago and foresaw an increase of the HPPs operating capacity of its power generation units.

"This in turn allows for a better utilisation of Georgia’s hydro power potential, replacing electricity that would otherwise have been produced from fossil fuels, hence resulting in a substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the country,” the EBRD said.

This year, the emissions of more than 2,000 delegates would be covered, including the emissions related to their travel, stay and energy consumed in buildings during the events.

Carbon consultancy company EcoAct worked to ensure the event had the right carbon strategy and would certify that the event was carbon neutral.

"In the spirit of the Bank’s Sustainable Resource Initiative, the Bank seeks to minimise its environmental impact where possible. For example, the EBRD is actively seeking to reduce the amount of waste consumed in the run up and during the Annual Meeting and Business Forum,” said EBRD.

In addition, the Bank said particular emphasis would be placed on recycling, such as water bottles and printed materials.

"The EBRD has purchased around 50 bins from local NGO, COOP, to be used during the Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Tbilisi to ensure that the waste produced during those days is being recycled,” the EBRD statement read.

The EBRD 24^th Annual Meeting will officially open tomorrow and last for two days, however associated events already started today.