Sustainable Event Initiatives in Bogotá
07 June 2022Updated 02 October 2023Hello there. Today we’re here to tell you about how easy it is to host a sustainable event in Bogotá.
The funny thing is, as recently as the 1990s, Bogotá was considered one of the most polluted cities in the world.
Today, however, Bogotá is considered one of the greenest cities in the world. For a population of 7 million, that’s quite an impressive feat.
So by the end of this article, you’ll know that you can absolutely host an eco-friendly event in Bogotá. And when you consider the country’s stunning cuisine, history, and culture, why would you host an event anywhere else?
Sustainable Events in Bogotá
One way to host an eco-friendly event in Bogotá is to use a sustainable delivery system for your supplies.
This is very possible, thanks to the push for e-cargo bikes. The city has designed a last-mile distribution network, based on cycle logistics. Not only does this reduce the cost of deliveries by 31%, but it’s great for the environment.
And the push isn’t ending there, the next phase of the project focuses on the implementation of last-mile distribution operations using zero-emission solar-powered e-cargo bikes or trikes.
Another cool eco-friendly initiative in Bogotá is ZUMAs, otherwise understood as Clean Air Urban Areas. It’s being implemented in vulnerable communities as well as areas that are adversely affected by poor air quality.
These are initiatives where the communities themselves will have a voice. It’s a campaign for education and promotion of sustainable practices. It’s also a campaign of real action, including paving and road repair, vegetation improvements, and regulation of polluting vehicles and industries, and more.
Eco-Friendly Transport Initiatives in Bogotá
An eco-friendly event in Bogotá begins before your guests even arrive thanks to the cool transport initiatives the city is pursuing.
For starters, Bogotá has produced a 1,485 strong fleet of electric buses, making it the third-largest outside of China.
So far, 350 have been deployed, specifically in low-income areas of the city that have the highest levels of air pollution.
Plus, another eco-friendly initiative in Bogotá is with high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs). An HOV is any vehicle that can carry more than two passengers. It’s a program that prevents half of the city’s cars from travelling at peak times. By encouraging carpooling, the city anticipates a reduction in car travel by 2 million kilometres per week.
Eco-Friendly Cycling Initiatives in Bogotá
A big component of eco-friendly initiatives in Bogotá is the new cycling network that has enveloped the city.
The city constructed 84km of emergency bike lanes, with 28km becoming permanent, and 46 more still in use. This has led to cycling in the city to quadruple!
This is all a formal part of the Acuerdo 804 – which has firmly established cycling as a part of the city’s future travel planning for 2020-2024.
Plus, the city has also redesigned the streets for pedestrianisation, meaning fewer cars, and therefore less pollution. So far, 17,000 square miles of street space have been repurposed.
And to match this new growth of bicycle lanes, the city is developing an awesome new bike-share system. It’s in collaboration with Brazilian company Tembici and will start operations in the second half of 2022. This exciting new system will be the largest in Latin America, as well as being the most inclusive, with a 20% discount for low-income residents.
The network will include 1,500 mechanical bicycles, 1,500 electric bikes, 150 handbikes (as an accessory for any wheel-share, providing independence to the final user), 150 cargo bikes, and 150 bikes with child seats.
Collaborating with an Event Production Company
Another way to host a sustainable event in Bogotá is to work with a quality event production company.
There are many reasons why you should hire an event production company – just follow that link to see the benefits laid out for you.
But in the case of hosting an eco-friendly event in Bogotá, there are two very clear reasons: experiences in practice, and suppliers.
So for example, as part of our service at Eventflare, we can share our network of eco-friendly suppliers with our clients, as well as our best sustainable event planning practices that we’ve mastered over all the events we’ve covered.
Wrapping up
So there you have it, our guide on hosting a sustainable event in Bogotá. We hope you’re as inspired and excited about it as we are!
And of course, you’re going to need to find the best location for your event. Well, we can help you. Just have a look at our fantastic venues in Bogotá, you won’t be disappointed.
Now, before you go, we have more advice on how to host an eco-friendly event in Bogotá. It’s this actionable guide on how to host an eco-friendly event. It’s a must-read for all event planners!
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