In the context of increasingly affordable (but not universal) access to digital equipment and technologies, virtual and hybrid events have become more prevalent.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual and hybrid events have become not only commonplace but are the dominant mode of event delivery at higher education institutions.

The benefits of virtual and hybrid events are numerous. They increase the accessibility of an event by eliminating the need for participants to relocate to a physical venue; at the same time, they eliminate the associated transport emissions. In many situations they reduce or eliminate food and material waste associated with an event. They can also be more affordable, as they reduce the need for booking costs, food purchases, printing costs, and other considerations. However, virtual and hybrid events do have social and environmental implications.

Digital environments pose new challenges for accessibility while introducing novel sources of carbon emissions through the use of virtual platforms. Participants face videoconferencing fatigue and can feel disconnected from other participants. Meanwhile, considerations related to ediversity, inclusion, and decolonization continue to play an important role in an online environment.

In this educational session you will learn about Concordia's Sustainable Event Certification and how you can receive support to make your event more socially and environmentally sustainable and to promote your achievements!