MCI Germany and the SAP Sustainability Summit
Innovative and ground-breaking method enables measurement of the CO2 footprint of a virtual event for the first time.
The SAP Sustainability Summit took place for the first time from 28-29 April 2021. The virtual event was attended by 2,000+ external live participants from 73 countries. In co-creation with MCI Germany, the Summit served as a pilot of a ground-breaking methodology: the approach to measure and calculate the footprint (CO2 and waste) of live virtual experiences.
The results of this measurement are compared to the hypothetical footprint of a physical Summit. As a result, emission savings and positive climate impacts of the virtual format have become apparent and can serve as benchmarks for future events and as a basis for neutralising the ecological footprint.
Results
- 98% Emission Saving by virtual event
- 30 tCO2 for a virtual event
- 1,392 tCO2 for a physical event (estimated)
Largest sources of emissions in the virtual event
- 49% production
- 33% network data transfer
- 12% online attendees
“We must rethink, innovate and implement at an unprecedented pace and scale to enable a thriving future for environment, economy and society.” Thomas Saueressig, Member of the Executive Board of SAP SE and Patron of the SAP Sustainability Summit.
