The 2024 Democratic National Convention: Planning for a More Sustainable Political Convention

The Democratic National Committee is doing more than just trash talking at its 2024 convention in Chicago — organizers are taking actions aimed at reducing the convention’s carbon footprint and supporting local sustainability.

Organizers of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) have pledged to deliver on the party’s commitment to sustainability at this year’s convention. It’s no small task, with more than 50,000 attendees flocking to Chicago last week for the DNC. But the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC), along with the Chicago 2024 Host Committee and two local sustainability consultants, Bright Beat and Purpose, have developed a plan, outlined in a sustainability guide, to offset carbon emissions, rescue food and divert waste through recycling and composting at the United Center and McCormick Place.

“Just as the Harris-Waltz team and the Democratic Party are committed to protecting the environment, we demonstrated that same commitment at our convention — before, during and after this historic event,” said Emily Soong, press secretary for the Democratic National Convention Committee. “We worked with our sustainability consultants to develop a comprehensive and detailed sustainability plan that gives back to local communities, combats climate change, and serves as a model for future conventions.”

Tackling travel-related emissions

Because travel accounts for 70 to 90 percent of event-related emissions, organizers provided guidance ahead of time on how potential attendees can lower their travel-related emissions. They also asked everyone planning to attend (not only delegates, journalists, and volunteers, but also protesters) to anonymously share their travel plans. Using these details, organizers plan to estimate the total travel-related emissions they’ll need to offset as part of their travel carbon plan. The plan asks attendees to consider donating to Growing Home, a USDA-certified organic urban farm in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, to fund local projects, such as turning concrete lots into green space.

Power to the people

In addition to travel reimbursement, DNCC organizers brought in two temporary transformers and high-voltage power supplies from regional utility ComEd to meet the convention’s power needs, rather than using diesel generators that have been used in past conventions. They also purchased renewable energy certificates and used blackout technology to eliminate unnecessary power usage at the DNCC’s main venue.

Back to the source

The guidelines also require that material selection recommendations be communicated to suppliers, emphasizing the importance of digitization and reusing materials, as well as sourcing materials locally, minimizing waste that must be sent to landfill, and using local suppliers to reduce emissions associated with transportation. This means that instead of printing and reading brochures, attendees can simply scan a QR code to get the latest press conferences and event schedules.

As an example of the program in action, at the United Center, organizers added recycling bins, dedicated staff and signage to increase recycling rates. They also collect organic materials for composting.

Overall, DNCC reported diverting 93,886 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from landfills.

Fine Food and Beverages

Venues and hotels are also encouraged to design menus to minimise waste and emissions, including serving plant-based options, sourcing food locally (especially high-emissions foods such as coffee), using reusable or compostable cutlery, cups and silverware, and ensuring their seafood, coffee, tea and chocolate are ethically sourced and/or Fairtrade certified.

DNCC worked with the city and other local partners to successfully donate more than 6,000 pounds of surplus food and nearly 15,000 meals to local churches and nonprofits.

Save water

To help conserve water, the DNCC plan calls on venues to employ water conservation and reuse strategies whenever possible, and promotes the use of low-flow fixtures and the purchase of water recovery certificates to help offset unavoidable water use.

DNCC reports that these measures have saved more than 5.3 million gallons of water.

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