translated from Spanish: Efforts to transform mass shows into carbon neutral

Last June, the Chilean government announced measures that had already been mentioned in the 2019 public account on the country’s carbo neutralization. The idea is to achieve a net result of zero emissions thanks to the gradual elimination of the use of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, etc.). This goal meets one of the world’s highest aspirations for environmental protection and a measure to combat climate change.
President Sebastián Piñera’s announcement involved, as a first step, a plan to withdraw coal-fired power plants, after reaching an agreement with the four power generators that operate these units: Engie, AES Gener, Enel and Colbún.
Certainly, there are outstanding issues such as forest afforestation to transform carbon into oxygen and the enactment of the Climate Change Framework Law that is still discussed in Congress, but for Pilar López, respect’s co-founder, the important thing is to “facilitate the taking of awareness of how much we pollute, to manage our GHG greenhouse gases) responsibly, committed and aligned to the Sustainable Development goals enacted by the UN.”
The commitment and dedication to promote and democratize sustainable initiatives in massive events such as Festival Maquinaria (2010) and Lollapalooza (2011 to 2016), to name a few, have been the vein where Respect’s contribution as strategic advisors in recycling and sustainability, has led them to know the value chain and be collaborators of these shows. Thus they have been adding sustainable value to the culture by demonstrating commitment to and for society in the face of climate change. At these events and companies, Respect works on issues such as recycling, carbon footprint, energy efficiency, renewable energy, reusable vessels and advice to sustainable ventures.
From small entrepreneurship to sustainable business
They started as every undertaking, by the need to grow their own project that would shape their vision and then become a sustainable company with projection. On this journey they were advised by the Sercotec Central Station Business Center, who helped them expand their competitive horizon towards the triple impact.
One of the recognitions of Respect’s work in consultancies, has been to install Lollapalooza as one of the 5 most sustainable festivals in the world.
At the end of 2016 they took two projects: the Neutrality of the New Year Carbon in Valparaiso and the advice and implementation of a solar plant with renewable energy in the recycling company Midas Chile. These two projects, together with experience and know-how, caused Respect to take off and present today as a partner between environmental demands and companies.
Alvaro Morales, also co-founder of the company, drafted an opinion column a few days ago indicating the impact of garbage on mass events alluding to an important and cultural task of starting a sustainability policy for a global problem: “In 2018, the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Lo Vasquez brought together about 700,000 people who left 35 tons of garbage scattered on Route 68. In 2013, a historic free concert was held in Forest Park that left 70 tons scattered, figures that are limited to diagnosing the obvious.”
On the implementation of this policy in mass events, he emphasized that “the important thing is to systematically raise indicators that help validate and ensure its effectiveness and thus compensate for the debt we have with the environment”.

Original source in Spanish