Diploma helps Alingsås meet environmental goals

The Lights in Alingsås festival is now an environment-certified event!

    - It's great that Lights in Alingsås now has a diploma that confirms that we're part of a larger community working for a better world," says Angelica Larsson, Event Manager. "For us, the environmental diploma is proof of an ambition we've had for some years, and is one of the reasons we chose the UN's 17 sustainability goals as this year's theme for the light trail, says Angelica.

In practice this diploma means that the part of the light festival which involves the workshop, where student and professional light designers from the whole world work together, will start logging statistics from 2016. These figures will form the basis for long-term environmental goals.

    - During the workshop, energy consumption in the light installations will be measured along with vehicle fuel consumption. We will also look at the way we sort waste and ensure that there is always a vegetarian option when food is served, adds Fredrik Wizemann, Environmental Officer, Lights in Alingsås.

Fredrik Wizemann, whose everyday job is at Alingsås Energy, is the person who has taken Lights in Alingsås through the environmental certification process. Fredrik is also responsible for ensuring that the requirements set out in the diploma are complied with.

    - Yes, and now the next phase in the certification process will start - the part involving monitoring and following up. An external environmental auditor from the City of Gothenburg's environment protection department, or a consultant employed by them, will ensure that Lights in Alingsås delivers on its promises, says Fredrik.

Angelica Larsson adds:

    - Having the diploma also means we need to restore everything in the town to how it was before the festival month of October. We have an agreement with Alingsås Energi which gives them the responsibility for supervising this.

Helpful procedures and guidelines

Procedures and guidelines help Fredrik Wizemann in his work of ensuring that Lights in Alingsås fulfils its promises. (See attached document).

The award of the environmental diploma to Lights in Alingsås is in line with the municipalitiy's long-term environmental strategy, and is in accordance with two of its prioritised objectives. The first declares that, "Alingsås municipality shall lead development towards an ecologically sustainable community."

    - This is a great opportunity to teach people about sustainability objectives and the UN global targets, says Fredrik Bergman, Environmental Strategist with Alingsås municipality.

    - A good example of how we work with the issue of sustainability is the extra light installation Suncell City. In it the municipality, along with municipal companies FABS, Alingsåshem and Alingsås Energi, show how they actively collaborate on the development and use of solar panels. So local companies are also involved, concludes Angelica Larsson.

Lights in Alingsås will run from 30 September to 6 November, 2016

More information: lightsinalingsas.se

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lightsinalingsas

Instagram: instagram.com/lightsinalingsas#

For further information or questions, please contact:

Fredrik Wizemann, Environmental Officer Tel: +46 322 61 76 11Fredrik.W@alingsasenergi.se

Margaretha Stenmark, Workshop Manager LightsTel: +46 322 61 76 78margaretha.s@alingsasenergi.se