Together with our customers and partners, we built the SLB Digital Forum 2024 to incorporate our sustainability priorities.
We minimized and mitigated the impact of mobility and daily transportation, selected materials that minimize waste, utilized new energy sources, and worked with the local economy surrounding Monaco—collaborating for a more sustainable Digital Forum.
As a global technology company for the energy industry, we're committed to being at the forefront of the global shift toward more sustainable energy production— challenging not only ourselves, but also our customers, suppliers, and peers to partner on delivering measurable social and environmental progress.
This translates into taking strides to accelerate innovation in the energy transition and achieving these goals in a way that contributes to energy access and economic development, both locally and worldwide.
Accordingly, our sustainability focus has three priorities: climate action, people, and nature.
Three priorities: climate action, people, and nature
Climate action
Our journey to lower emissions, decarbonizing customer operations, and scaling new energy systems.
People
We put people first by respecting human rights, building a more inclusive workspace, and driving positive socioeconomic outcomes.
Nature
We've identified three key environmental issues that are significant for our operations: biodiversity, natural resources, and circularity.
Our objectives
Our objective for the SLB Digital Forum 2024 was to deliver an exceptional event whilst incorporating sustainable thinking into all aspects of its delivery. Specifically, we aimed to reduce carbon emissions per attendee, compared to the SLB Digital Forum 2022.
We had a particular focus on emissions reductions in areas directly associated with hosting the event— such as energy, materials, catering, accommodation, transport, vehicles, and waste.
We strove to minimize our impact on the climate and nature. To do this we incorporated positive climate initiatives throughout our program, and collaborated with a supply chain that assisted us in tracking and minimizing waste and greenhouse gas emissions during the event.
Every effort was taken to reduce the impact on the environment including minimizing waste, empowering attendees to make informed choices by providing lower carbon options, and encouraging more environmentally friendly options without compromising the attendee experience. As a result
of our efforts, we achieved a 9% relative reduction in emissions per attendee compared to 2022. Excluding flight-related emissions, we reduced all other event emissions listed above by 29.5% compared to 2022.
Throughout the event planning and execution process, initiatives for emission reduction were monitored, enabling us to effectively manage and report our achieved savings. We will also use this as a means of improving future editions of the SLB Digital Forum.
Remaining emissions that could not be avoided were offset with carbon credits from high quality carbon offset projects, for which details are provided below. Emissions generated from this event were tracked and audited by accredited external parties and are included in our total scope 1, 2, and 3 SLB inventory for 2024.
Highlights of sustainability and energy transition related discussions at the SLB Digital Forum 2024
At the Digital Forum 2024, we showcased the breadth of our capabilities across the energy transition, spanning emissions measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), decarbonization pathway planning, and solutions to deliver action and accelerate global decarbonization.
A wide variety of sessions were held on the topic of the energy transition, with technical presentations delivered on the topics of industrial decarbonization and low carbon energy systems. We also held a technical panel on delivering first-of-a-kind technologies and projects in the energy landscape, and presented plenary addresses on how to rapidly decarbonize the energy industry whilst scaling new energy solutions.
We demonstrated our commitment to drive meaningful impact, by signing an agreement with Aramco to co-develop, commercialize, and utilize digital solutions to help mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in industrial sectors.
These solutions will be integrated within our suite of digital sustainability solutions, which enable industrial companies to accelerate their progress toward net zero by more easily measuring, reporting, and verifying their emissions. This data and intelligence not only assists customers in ensuring compliance, but also enables them to implement more strategic decarbonization actions, such as enhancing energy efficiency, reducing methane emissions, and advancing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiatives.
We demonstrated our commitment to drive meaningful impact, by signing an agreement with Aramco to create digital sustainability technologies
Monaco—why was it selected for the SLB Digital Forum 2024?
Monaco stood out as a country that has long held a dedicated stance toward environmental responsibility and sustainability, with the protection of its seas and marine wildlife holding paramount importance for the principality.
It is not just a destination; Monaco embodies a set of values that reflect its earnest efforts in the sustainability domain. The principality has implemented proactive sustainable development policies that encompass biodiversity, resource management, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
When collaborating with local suppliers both in Monaco and surrounding the principality, we were dedicated to taking responsible and thoughtful measures to ensure that the event minimized on-the-ground carbon footprint. From walking options between venues, to utilizing electric vehicles, and making mindful menu choices, we incorporated Monaco's dedication to sustainable tourism throughout the event.
The Grimaldi Forum, Monaco—ecologically
responsible design and building management
It was important to us to host an event in a venue that takes the environment and reducing its impact on it into careful consideration.
Since 2008, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco has been ISO 14001 certified, showcasing its commitment to environmental management. The venue has implemented a "green" management system, emphasizing continual improvement in its operations and contributing to a more sustainable events industry.
Energy/resources
The Grimaldi Forum's ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 demonstrates their dedication to addressing climate concerns. Beyond the technical and financial means required, this aim will be achieved due to the strong mobilization of its teams to reduce the impact of the Grimaldi Forum’s activity on the environment.
Boasting natural and efficient thermal insulation, the Grimaldi Forum is also the largest solar energy producer in the principality, and hosts over 8,000 m² of photovoltaic panels installed on principality rooftops, including an impressive 2,500 m² on its own.
Water
The Grimaldi Forum is constantly optimizing its environmental management system. Based on this principle of continuous improvement, one focus has been on its optimized and sustainable water management. Since obtaining its initial certification in 2008, the Grimaldi Forum has consistently integrated its green policy as a key component of its corporate strategy. As a result, the venue has successfully reduced its water consumption per visitor by half.
Sea and ground water is used as renewable energy at the venue. Hot and chilled water production, which is essential for the building’s air treatment, is provided by heat pumps that draw the calories or frigories necessary to control the temperature and hygrometry of the premises from sea water and groundwater. The electricity used to operate the pump is therefore not used to produce heat but to transport it. With a high-performance factor, this air treatment system actively promotes energy savings while using renewable energy as a raw material.
Biodiversity
The Grimaldi Forum’s commitment to biodiversity echoed our own ambitions to minimize our impact on ecosystems, animals, soil and water.
We wanted to host our event with a partner who was aligned in their approach to create an environment which not only protects wildlife by avoiding unnecessary interactions but also positively contributes to the region where our event was being held.
The Grimaldi Forum boasts:
→ 20% of its territory covered with green space
→ 933 heritage trees identified over 2 km
→ Three protected marine areas including an educational marine reserve.
Accommodation in Monaco
Our choice of Monaco as a destination was strongly influenced by its exceptional commitment to sustainable accommodation. With an impressive 2,202 certified rooms (adhering to Green Globe, Green Key, or Planet 21 standards), accounting for nearly 90% of the hotel network, Monaco demonstrated remarkable dedication to sustainable practices. Moreover, all hotels selected for our attendees have endorsed the principality's National Energy Transition Pact.
The chosen hotels were within walking distance of the Grimaldi Forum. This alleviated the need for hotel to Digital Forum shuttles, with the closest hotel approximately a 7-minute walk, and the furthest hotel a 14-minute walk.
Air travel
In-person attendance was a crucial aspect of the Digital Forum. Therefore, we urged staff members to prioritize maximizing the event's impact whilst minimizing environmental harm. We encouraged attendees to choose the most sustainable modes of travel to the event, particularly suggesting the use of trains within Europe. Additionally, we promoted the selection of lower-impact travel options whenever feasible.
As part of the registration process, attendees provided details of their flights, enabling detailed tracking of associated emissions. As a company, we took the pledge to offset every flight to the event regardless of whether an attendee selected that would offset their flight themselves, thereby ensuring all flight-related emissions were accounted for.
Airport transfers
In collaboration with our French transport supplier, we ensured electric and hybrid vehicles were used whenever feasible.
We encouraged attendees to choose a more environmentally friendly option for ground transportation, including their airport transfers. We invited them to use public transport from Nice to Monaco, a reliable, frequent, and low carbon alternative. To reduce the number of single car journeys, we also promoted carpooling for those guests taking an airport transfer.
Hotel transfers to the Grimaldi Forum
Encouraging walking to and from the Grimaldi Forum enabled us to decrease the frequency of nearby short-distance transfers. We featured local attractions and points of interest into the communication with attendees, aiming not just to promote walking to the Digital Forum but also to actively encourage a health-conscious and eco-friendly alternative.
Hotel transfers to dinners
To minimize the need for higher-emitting coaches during the evening shuttle service, we incorporated the use of several electric city buses to decrease our on-the-ground emissions.
Catering
As part of the procurement process, our goal was to collaborate with catering suppliers who offered sustainable, local, and seasonal menu choices for our attendees. It was essential that we struck a balance between providing guests suitable options that catered to the diverse attendees and their dietary and cultural needs, whilst promoting plant-based alternatives. Menu placement played a crucial role in delegates choosing vegan or vegetarian options, as their priority on the menu led to an increase in uptake. Catering suppliers were tasked with sourcing seasonal and local produce to reduce their transportation emissions, and menus incorporated 50% plant-based options whilst catering to all cultural dietary requirements.
Continuous monitoring of the required food volume was undertaken to reduce food waste, with excess food being composted if not suitable for donation to local charities. Processes were put in place to ensure that any suitable, unconsumed food could be distributed to the local community or donated to worthy causes, in compliance with food and safety regulations. Any food that could not be donated or composted was incinerated and used to generate energy.
Gifts
Gifts for Digital Forum attendees were chosen conscientiously, with purpose, longevity, and sustainability in mind. Where possible, gifts were sourced and made locally, showcasing a sense of mindfulness towards the planet. Businesses and artisans prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices were also given priority in the decisionmaking process.
Supply chain for exhibition floor and stage
Our objective was to collaborate with suppliers who were keen to lower their carbon emissions and embrace sustainable practices. We formed partnerships with suppliers who aligned with these sustainability goals, having sought evidence of this commitment in our procurement and tender processes. Suppliers underwent thorough evaluations based on both cost and environmental performance during the appointment process.
Recycling materials
Our aim was to design our assets with the circular economy in mind, to minimize potential waste generation. Our approach included reducing the quantity of raw materials used, prioritizing sustainably sourced materials, such as those from renewable or recycled sources. Additionally, we actively worked to increase the number of suppliers who provided a takeback recycling scheme, further promoting sustainability in our procurement practices.
One example of where we minimized waste associated with the event was in our partnership with GreenBee an event upcycling organization who specialize in repurposing materials from events and donating them to local charities and community beneficiaries. As a result, BESIGN The Sustainable Design School, based in Nice, furnished its welcome and working areas with tables, benches and meeting booths repurposed from the SLB Digital Forum 2024.
For other event consumables, the Grimaldi Forum has an onsite sorting center for glass, paper, packaging, wood, and cardboard.
Carbon offsetting
Considerable efforts were taken to reduce emissions across all aspects of the event, leading to a reduction in relative emissions intensity per attendee compared with a pre-event baseline, and the Digital Forum 2022.
However, some emissions cannot be completely avoided. For any emissions that could not be avoided, a diverse portfolio of high-quality credits, compliant with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) were purchased from an accredited provider. This portfolio was also shaped using the Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting, and incorporated projects ranging across carbon avoidance, reduction, and removal. Our final portfolio also addresses all the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addition to their emissions benefits.
Examples of projects in our portfolio include:
→ Afforestation–Uruguay and Colombia
→ Reforestation and community development–Ghana
→ Biochar (engineered)–USA
→ Clean cooking–Bangladesh
→ Energy infrastructure improvement–Bangladesh
→ Conservation–Colombia
→ Renewable energy–global fund
SLB is a global technology company, driving energy innovation for a balanced planet
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