April/May 2008

Green Government

Greening the 2008 Democratic National Convention

Goal to Produce Greenest Political Convention in American History

by Andrea Hart, Weston Solutions

This summer, Denver will host a significant event with local, national, and global implications and attention:
the Democratic National Convention. From August 25-28, upwards of 50,000 convention delegates, alternates
and other participants will be in attendance. 15,000 representatives from national and international media will be
covering the proceedings.

At the fore of the Democratic Party’s and the host City of Denver’s goals is the desire to make this the greenest convention in history. To accomplish
this, a delicate yet strategic dance between the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and the host City of Denver has been occurring,
with specific goals and metrics being developed to ensure this vision is met.

The DNCC's overall sustainability goals are deliberate and significant:

• Carbon. This will be the first effort ever to calculate the carbon footprint of a convention. Camco, a leading global carbon asset developer, has
  been selected as the “Official Carbon Advisor.” With Camco’s assistance, the DNC is seeking to reduce its GHG emissions as much as possible.
  The DNC has established a carbon calculator for every participant to gage their own footprint generated by their trip to Denver.

• Energy. Multiple conservation measures are being incorporated into the planning for each convention venue. High-efficiency lighting systems,
  solar photovoltaics, biodiesel, wind and hydrogen fuel cells will be included wherever possible, including at the Pepsi Center and Convention
  Center, the two primary Convention venues.

• Waste Diversion. The DNC is striving for an 85 percent diversion of waste from landfills during the convention. This will be accomplished by
  establishing a comprehensive recycling, composting, and waste minimization program, including recyclable service ware.

• Sustainable Materials & Production. Sustainable procurement, reuse and reduction of all materials is being incorporated into every aspect
  of planning. Contractors and subcontractors are chosen in part because of their sustainable commitment. All materials will be measured, tracked
  and whenever possible, reused or donated to the Denver community after the convention.

• Transportation. Buses used to transport those participants not within walking distance of the venues will be hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles.
  In addition, the city’s Host Committee is seeking to have in place a public bicycle exchange program for conventioneers and citizens to traverse
  the city and its pathways during and after the convention.

• Green Community Service and Education. The DNCC is organizing “Service Days,” in which staff volunteer in the Denver community in
  three focused areas: youth, environmental projects, and homelessness and hunger.

   The "Green Delegate Challenge," offers special rewards for the delegation or delegations that demonstrate
the highest level of commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint from attending the Convention.
In announcing the Green Delegate Challenge, House Speaker and Permanent Convention Chair Nancy Pelosi commented that The 2008 Democratic National Convention, like our great party, is about the future--the
future of our country and the future of our planet. "That is why we are ensuring that this Convention will be
the greenest, most sustainable, most successful political Convention in history - and the Green Delegate
Challenge is a critical part of that effort."

As part of the challenge, delegations with the highest percentage of members offsetting their carbon will be recognized in their seating section on the floor of
the Pepsi Center during the Convention. Each delegate, alternate and super delegate from that state will also receive a limited edition "green" prize to be
announced at a later date. Progress will be tracked on DemConvention.com, with the winning state or states recognized on the website in August. Any delegate
who offsets their travel will receive a unique wearable "green item" for Convention week, available only to these delegates, and be recognized individually on DemConvention.com

In addition to the DNCC’s activities, the host City of Denver has organized its own teams focused on these and other areas to springboard off of this excellent
work in an effort to leave “legacy” projects for the city to enculturate citizens and businesses as to the importance of being green. The mayor’s already
established initiative Greenprint Denver will be the overseer of these post-convention legacy pieces, building on the city’s following substantial goals:

• To minimize any negative environmental impacts of the 2008 Convention on our community;

• To create a new green standard for all conventions held in Denver and elsewhere in the future;

• To demonstrate the economic and social benefits of being green;

• To educate our own citizenry about green and healthy choices they can make in their own lives; and

• To build an enduring positive environmental legacy in Denver long into the future.

  In order to achieve the goal of creating the greenest convention to date, the Denver Host Committee commits to “green as we go.”

"At every feasible opportunity, we will conserve energy and natural resources, avoid waste and prevent pollution.
When possible, we will mitigate the negative environmental consequences of our actions. We will promote these
values in the way we conduct business and in the messages we send to our partners and the public".

   To ensure this occurs, the city has developed committees of civic and business volunteers to focus on the following core areas:

• Utilizing renewable energy

• Reducing waste while maximizing recycling

• Providing green transportation options

• Utilizing green building design and practices

• Increasing the practice of green standards in the hospitality industry

• Conserving water

• Measuring, managing and mitigating our carbon emissions

• Promoting and offering green and healthy living choices

• Highlighting local environmental business leaders and greening the supply chain

• Maximizing outreach, education, and behavioral change toward more sustainable practices

This is one of the most significant organizing efforts ever undertaken in Denver, but one with significant and very positive impact potential on citizens and businesses. With the influx of people and media attention, the long-term economic benefit to the city is expected to be between $150 to $200 million, and to
be able to leave a lasting green legacy is priceless.

For more information:

DNC: www.demconvention.com, Contact: Andrea Robinson, Director of Greening

Denver Host Committee: www.denverconvention2008.com, Contact: Parry Burnap, Director of Greening

Greenprint Denver: www.greenprintdenver.org, Contact: Michele Weingarden, Director

The Camco Group: www.camcoglobal.com

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CBG / Apr.May 2008 / Page 2