17 Mar SXSW and CO2?

SXSW is doing some pretty meaningful things to reduce its most significant eco impact, greenhouse gas pollution. Here’s some highlights from SX’s sustainability page.

Carbon Offsets. SXSW began offsetting it’s own carbon emissions (presumably just from their offices?) in 2006. Since then, the three festivals (interactive, film, and music) have remained committed to maintaining carbon neutrality, and are increasing efforts to lower their footprints each year.

Clean Power.  "For SXSW, sustainability begins … on the roof." SXSW installed a solar array atop their own Austin offices a couple of years ago, since generating 7,143 kilowatt hours of clean electricity, making a significant dent in their electric bill, and lowering the company’s use of Austin’s coal-, nuke-, and natural gas- fired electricity.

Greener Transportation. Not just because it’s more fun than driving… The festival recommends walking, biking, pedicabbing and shuttling whenever possible. SXSW has an ongoing arrangement with Bicycle Sport Shop to offer a wide range of rentals. If you must drive, SXSW has arranged with Enterprise-Rent-A-Car to  offer a carbon offsets option; SXSW additoinally recommends renting hybrid to cut down on emissions.

Greener Sleeping. SXSW’s Web site provides a “green friendly” filter option when booking hotels. Hotels listed include a link to their list of green practices. If you’re coming in from out of town, SX recommends letting your concierge know you want to support environmental actions when you checkin. And of course, be kind — "turn off your lights and water when you leave your room; et your air conditioning a few degrees higher while you’re out; recycle…" (Such practices also reduce greenhouse gas impacts.) 

Paperless Planning began in 2003. In 2008 SX’s Registration Department saved 12,000 sheets of paper. Most recently the Interactive and Film Departments have made the switch to paperless, further reducing the embodied energy impacts of the festivals.

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For more on this and other details, check out: http://sxsw.com/sustainability

Your comments appreciated.