Istanbul Arbitration Days is committed to minimising the environmental impact of our conferences while setting new sustainability standards for the international arbitration community.
Our Commitment
On 19 April 2024, we signed the Green Pledge Agreement with the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations, formalising our commitment to sustainable conference practices.
Why Sustainability Matters
The legal sector, including international arbitration, has a significant environmental footprint. According to MeetGreen, over 170 kilograms of carbon emissions are generated per attendee, per day, at a typical conference. With the arbitration community frequently convening across continents, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead by example in reducing this impact.
As a gathering point for international dispute resolution professionals, Istanbul Arbitration Days recognises that environmental sustainability is not separate from our professional values; it is an extension of our commitment to responsible practice and long-term thinking.
Istanbul's unique position, where the Bosphorus connects seas and continents meet, reminds us of our interconnected ecosystems. Hosting our conference in a city defined by its natural beauty and splendid environmental balance places a greater burden on us to preserve it.
Therefore, when we began planning Istanbul Arbitration Days, we asked ourselves a very fundamental question: Can a conference dedicated to resolving disputes also demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment and the world we all live in? The answer became our Green Protocol initiative.
As practitioners in international arbitration, we understand the importance of setting precedents. The environmental footprint of our conferences, specifically our energy consumption and waste generation, is quite measurable and significant. Research shows that a typical conference generates over 170 kilograms of carbon emissions per attendee, per day. As legal professionals, we cannot ignore this reality while gathering to discuss principles of justice and responsibility.
Therefore, we set a goal for Istanbul Arbitration Days: we will implement practical sustainability measures that will create real impact. From biodegradable name badges to real-time carbon footprint tracking, from carbon-labelled menus to marine cleanup partnerships, each one of our initiatives is purposed to address a specific environmental challenge.
But our ambition extends beyond this event. We would like to share our Green Protocol framework plans openly, including what worked and the lessons we learned. If our experience helps even one other conference or professional to inspire or take similar steps, we will have achieved something meaningful beyond our own footprint.
This is not about symbolic gestures. This is about accountability, innovation, and our collective responsibility to future generations.
Our Checkpoints
What we have put into practice so far.
- Name tags made from plant seeds, completely biodegradable
- Color-coded waste separation system managed by Çırağan Palace with designated recycling bins by waste type
- Collection of cooking oils during the event by Çırağan Palace's contracted companies
- Eliminated plastic waste from 1000+ conference badges
- Created zero landfill waste from attendee identification materials
- Participants can plant badges post-event, contributing to urban greening
- Diversion of recyclable materials from landfill reducing methane emissions
- Prevention of cooking oil contamination in water systems and soil
- Stands for Green Türkiye foundation, promoting donations for tree plantation for regions impacted by wildfires in Türkiye
- Encouraging sponsors to eliminate, if not reduce, their printed promotional material distribution to support our sustainability efforts
- 2000 trees planted to contribute to carbon offset and ecosystem restoration in wildfire-affected regions
- Shuttle transfer for invitees between different venues and accommodation locations
- Usage of boats for invitees between different venues — approx. 250 people transported via boats
- Decreased traffic congestion and urban air pollution during the conference period
- Reduction in overall carbon emissions through shared and coordinated transport solutions
- Increased awareness of sustainable mobility practices among participants
- Digital systems replacing paper consumption, including:
- QR tickets
- Individualised PDF invitation cards instead of physical ones
- E-mail as the main communication platform
- Digital calendar, visible on the website
- Digital payment solutions as the main payment method, with digital receipts
- Saved approximately 5,000+ sheets of paper (invitations, tickets, programs)
- Reusable metal utensils instead of plastics
- Reusable ceramic dishes instead of plastic
- Reusable glasses instead of plastic cups
- Glass-bottled chilled drinks
- Pot coffee/tea instead of capsules
- Designated smoking areas across the event areas
- Prevented 4,000+ single-use plastic items from entering the waste stream
- Eliminated single-portion packaging waste (condiments, beverages)
- Minimised environmental impact, improved air quality, and reduced cigarette-related waste across event spaces
- Contracting with local suppliers for event-related services including organiser firms, stage design and production, and travel agencies
- Reduced transportation-related emissions through a local sourcing strategy
- Minimised supply chain distances by prioritising Istanbul-based suppliers
- At Çırağan Palace, taking advantage of the venue's large east-southeast-facing windows and natural morning light
- Minimised artificial lighting in the conference area, reducing electricity consumption
- Lower electricity consumption through reliance on natural daylight
Our Plans
Initiatives for the upcoming five-year period.
- Name badges made from mycelium (mushroom root) base material
- Fully biodegradable within 30 days when buried in soil
- Integrated QR code for digital information
- Message: "This card will decompose into nature within 30 days"
- Post-event video campaign: participants record the composting/burial of biodegradable badges
- Prevention of 1000+ plastic badges entering the landfill
- Elimination of methane emissions from badge decomposition
- Soil enrichment through organic material return
- Avoided plastic production emissions
- No single-use items in networking spaces
- Post-event waste announcement: "1000 participants → only 32 kg waste"
- Prevention of 4000+ single-use items entering landfill
- Dramatic waste reduction compared to typical conference standards
- Digital screen at entrance displaying live carbon footprint: "This conference's carbon footprint is currently ___ kg CO₂"
- Participants select transportation mode via QR code (flight, train, walking, etc.)
- Instant carbon calculation displayed
- Final display: "Total carbon: X → 100% offset"
- Participant awareness of transportation carbon impact
- Future travel behaviour modification toward lower-carbon options
- Accountability through carbon offset commitment
- Education on personal carbon footprint
- Encouraging participants to stay in hotels close to the main event venue
- Shared transport options for off-site programme elements, including coordinated return transfers at the close of each event
- Making walking the most practical option for those staying nearby and reducing reliance on individual car journeys
- Reduced transport-related emissions by encouraging nearby stays and shared travel
- Supporting lower-impact mobility by making walking and collective transfers the easier option
- Elimination of plastic and rubber materials in conference signage
- Prevention of plastic production emissions from fossil fuel extraction and manufacturing
- Avoidance of microplastic pollution from material degradation
- Donation to marine cleanup NGOs in participant's name
- Partner organisations: TURMEPA, DYKD, WWF Turkey
- Post-conference announcement: "Through this event, 2 tons of plastic were cleaned from the Bosphorus"
- Removal of plastic pollution from Bosphorus marine environment
- Protection of marine species from plastic ingestion/entanglement
- Restoration of local water ecosystem health
- Direct environmental improvement in conference location
- Speakers sign: "By end of 2026, I will take this sustainability step in my arbitration practice..."
- Digital signature wall
- Published as PDF post-conference
- Integration of sustainability practices into arbitration proceedings beyond the conference
- Multiplier effect as thought leaders influence their organisations
- Sector-wide reduction in arbitration process environmental impact
- Accountability for post-conference action
- Erosion-risk area rehabilitation instead of standard tree planting
- GPS-coordinated digital map: 1000 participants = 1000 trees
- Each participant receives the coordinates of their individual tree
- Prevention of soil erosion and land degradation in vulnerable areas
- Carbon sequestration through 1000 trees over their lifetime
- Habitat creation for local wildlife
- Long-term ecological restoration beyond simple carbon offsetting mechanisms
- Conference-specific sustainability principles document: "Istanbul Declaration on Sustainability in Arbitration"
- Distributed to all participants with a sharing request
- International dissemination strategy
- Standardisation of sustainability practices across the arbitration sector
- Replication of green initiatives at other conferences globally
- Systemic reduction in international arbitration environmental footprint
- Establishment of a sector-wide accountability framework
- Each dish features a small QR code or recyclable card showing: "This dish's carbon footprint: 0.8 kg CO₂"
- Meat alternative comparison: "Meat option: 3.2 kg CO₂"
- Educational note encouraging carbon footprint reduction
- Shift toward lower-carbon meal selections during the conference
- Reduced meat consumption decreasing agricultural emissions
- Long-term dietary awareness affecting future food choices
- Lower overall conference catering emissions
- Solar-powered charging station for participant devices
- EcoFlow power station with solar panels
- Wireless renewable energy source for conference attendees
- Reduced fossil fuel-based electricity consumption from the grid
- Lower CO₂ emissions from device charging
- Renewable energy replaces conventional power sources
- Wi-Fi enabled smart plugs monitoring energy consumption
- Real-time electricity tracking via mobile app
- Aggregated data display showing total conference energy usage
- Overcurrent protection for connected devices
- Identification and elimination of unnecessary electricity usage
- Measurable reduction in conference power consumption
- Participant awareness leading to long-term energy conservation behaviour
- Floor energy generation system converting footsteps to electricity
- Interactive kinetic energy harvesting
- Conversion of kinetic foot traffic energy into usable electricity
- Reduced grid electricity demand through mechanical energy capture
- Offset of fossil fuel-based power generation
- Dedicated panel with minimal lighting
- No projection, no microphones
- No paper materials
- Entirely low-energy format
- Filmed for Instagram and LinkedIn to raise awareness across the arbitration community
- Caption: "This panel was conducted without harming nature"
- Elimination of projection, amplification, and excessive lighting electricity
- Proof of concept for low-energy conference sessions
- Potential adoption by other conferences reducing sector-wide energy use
- Reduction in session carbon footprint