2008 International CES goes green

CES, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, to reduce carbon footprint and incorporate sustainable and energy efficiency practices

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® announced that the 2008 International CES® is taking unprecedented steps to "go green" by becoming carbon neutral and incorporating the use of sustainable and energy efficient practices. Produced by CEA, the 2008 International CES, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, will run January 7-10, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"As the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, we are also the first tradeshow of our size to reduce our carbon footprint," said Gary Shapiro, CEA's president and CEO. "We will do so by reducing energy consumption, increasing our recycling efforts, improving efficiency where possible, and making strides toward offsetting our unavoidable emissions. Consumer electronics are part of an energy-saving solution and improve the way we live, work and play, which gives this industry an opportunity to be a positive force for change and integral to environmental solutions that will ensure future generations inherit a healthy planet."

CEA has formed a partnership with Carbonfund.org, the nation's leading provider of voluntary climate solutions, to reduce the carbon footprint of this global industry event. Carbonfund.org will offset the approximately 20,000 tons of carbon associated with the International CES by investing in a combination of certified renewable energy, reforestation and energy efficiency projects.

"Kudos to the International CES for taking positive steps to help the environment," said Eric Carlson, executive director, Carbonfund.org. "I am confident that our partnership with CEA will not only help to eliminate the carbon footprint of this event, but will be part of a wider commitment to promote the understanding of the simple carbon-saving changes that people can make in their daily lives when using electronics."

"In addition to offsetting the carbon emissions of all CES venues, freight, shuttle buses and hotel rooms, we will provide attendees with the opportunity to offset their airline travel via www.CESweb.org and kiosks on the show floor," Shapiro said, noting that the carbon offset program and other pro-environment measures position the International CES as a leader in tradeshow environmental efforts.

CEA believes it will be fully offsetting its carbon footprint. The calculations do not factor in the carbon savings due to CES. For example, CEA estimates that by offsetting CES and consolidating trips otherwise necessary for the same meetings, the net savings in travel miles is over 700 million miles.

CES will also debut a TechZone dedicated to environmentally and economically sustainable technologies which contribute to the social and cultural growth of the developing world. To remind attendees of their offsetting options and provide tips for a ‘greener' CES experience, CEA will produce a "Greening CES" TV segment to be broadcast in all attendee hotel rooms, and attendees will also have more opportunities to recycle aluminum cans, plastic, paper and glass at CES.

CEA is taking additional steps to make the 2008 International CES more sustainable including working with its Las Vegas-based vendors to use ‘green' solutions at the event itself. Seventy-five percent of all food containers and utensils used by the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) to serve CES attendees will be fully biodegradable and all surplus food will be donated to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission; recycled carpet will be used throughout the Central Hall of the LVCC; and all attendee literature will be printed on post-consumer recycled paper with soy ink. Likewise, only non-hazardous cleaning solvents and soaps will be used by LVCC staff and all light bulbs, batteries and electronics used by the show will be recycled and diverted from landfills.

The 2008 International CES will feature the hottest product debuts from 2,700 exhibitors, covering more than 30 product areas, including the latest in content, wireless, digital imaging, mobile electronics, home theater and audio. For more news on the 2008 International CES before, during and after the show, visit www.CESweb.org, the interactive source for CES information.