Clever Works, a production company based in Lewes just outside Brighton, has launched two initiatives to help companies provide carbon assessments for the technical delivery of live events.

The Carbon Assessment is embedded in the Clever Works costing tool to provide agencies with a full set of information to offer their clients when pitching, creating proposals and designing events. The Carbon Assessment is backed up by Clever Works, with advice and support in developing a complete production solution for various communication and management agencies.

May: surprised by how slow suppliers have
been to adopt a change in behaviours

"As part of the ongoing development of tools for our clients we have developed a comprehensive calculator for Carbon Assessment for the projects that we are producing for our agency clients,” said Clever Works director Clair May. “We have been surprised by how slow suppliers have been to adopt a change in behaviours, or in passing on advice to clients, regarding the carbon impact of their services.

"The carbon footprint of any event goes way beyond the flights and delegate transfers that are sometimes evaluated. This tool measures consumption and usage during pre-production, installation and de-rig – of all facets of event production. Off-setting and carbon trading are not the complete answer – our tool helps our clients communicate the realistic carbon impact throughout the event and beyond, and it helps them be open about it. Honesty is the only way to help everyone change behaviour and take responsibility."  

To support its desire to see a significant shift in behaviours, regarding carbon use in live communications, Clever Works has set up a weblog – http://cleverworks.blogspot.com/ – which encourages open debate and thinking about the ways the live marketing industry can change in the development and supply of conferences, awards shows, exhibitions and events.