Buddha Turning Green

The sustainability of the environment is of growing concern as there are global challenges that ultimately will determine the future liveability of the planet. Facing these challenges, the Buddha Birth Day Festival concerned about its own impact on the environment started turning Buddha GREEN in 2008. This initiative uses strategies that go beyond carbon footprint reductions and is encompassing goals that promote innovative and practical action that will reduce the Festival’s environmental impact.


The long term success of the Buddha Turns GREEN campaign is to be achieved through a step by step approach to the campaign’s implementation. These steps include:

• Reviewing the ecological footprint, taking energy use, waste stream and the quality of products into account
• Identifying opportunities for material re-use, carbon emissions neutralizing and product conversion to eco-friendly alternatives
• Developing a public-awareness campaign that supports the environmental objectives of the Buddha Birth Day Festival


Goal
The aspiration of the Buddha turns GREEN campaign is for the Buddha Birth Day Festival to have a totally carbon neutral effect on the environment and in the process create a 100% sustainable event.
Achieving this goal takes into account all visitors including their travel to and from South Bank and all suppliers or organisations involved in the staging of the Festival.


Implementation
The Buddha turns GREEN campaign was launched at 2008 Festival in a uniquely visual way. The 2,000 light globes in the red Chinese lanterns that illuminate the South Bank Parklands in the week leading into and during the Festival were replaced with environmentally friendly energy saving globes.
The launch was supplemented with an environmental program at the Festival which included regular public announcements and a green section in the Cultural Arts Square with activities and displays aimed at school children and families.


Future strategies include:
• Using bio-diesel generators and solar power
• Minimising distribution of paper
• Facilitate recycling initiatives
• Using biodegradable cups, plates and utensils
• Using recyclable, recycled and biodegradable materials for signage and printing
• Removing, separating & recycling waste ensuring no recyclable waste is sent to landfill
• Offsetting 100% of the generated greenhouse gas emissions through the purchase of accredited Green Power