Introduction
Every organization is accountable for the wellbeing of its stakeholders, the environment, government, and the general public. Therefore, every activity should be conducted with a clear understanding of its role and impact on the organization’s sustainable development goals. Engaging in sustainable activities entails addressing the current demands without jeopardizing future populations’ capacity to achieve their own (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). Environmentalism is not the only aspect of sustainability; concerns for social fairness and economic development are found in most interpretations of sustainable practices.
Tenable operation is a holistic strategy that takes into account the ecological, social, and economic components, realizing that all three must be taken into account in order to achieve long-term prosperity. Many people and organizations embrace the value of sustainability, which they manifest in their policies, daily activities, and behaviors (Griffin, 2009). A sustainability audit is a tool used by institutions and organizations to evaluate their activities in line with recommended sustainability practices.
Sustainability auditing is an essential activity, without which many organizations would fail to establish healthy operations and jeopardize society’s current and future generations. The first benefit of a sustainability audit is that it helps organizations to keep track of current sustainability practices in the industry by comparing their operations with globally accepted practices (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). Since no leader can keep pace with sustainability changes at all times, an audit helps them analyze their organization’s position and develop effective strategies to meet recent developments.
The second advantage of sustainability auditing is that it helps institutions to reduce reputational risks and costs and enforce compliance to industry best practices. If an organization fails to adhere to some set standards, it may be sued, avoided by customers, and in severe cases, closed (Jones, 2017). In addition, sustainability audit reports give an organization a competitive advantage by placing it ahead of competitors (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). This is a crucial benefit to companies and institutions because it constitutes the primary goal of business operations: revenue generation and continuous growth.
The Macro Festival (Macrofest) is a showcase of fashion, culture, music, and innovation that takes place in Casco Viejo’s historical squares and venues. The event takes the form of a gathering of visions, thoughts, concepts, and personal experiences. Macrofest is a celebration and an exceptional one because it connects avant-garde cultural expressions in a magical environment that is open to all viewers for five days in March (Macrofest.com, 2021). The organizers have developed an excellent infrastructure in collaboration with Panama’s National Institute of Culture to make Macrofest a global reference, where participants can share their propositions with the city’s residents.
This festival creates a continuous engagement that inspires the development of the entire visiting public. Macrofest, which attracts over 5,000 people every year, has a program that is distributed through large-scale events (Macrofest.com, 2021). It plays an important role in the exhibition of concepts for both established and emerging creators, presenting a new vision of the historic city and protecting national heritage, such as Casco Viejo’s rich history (Macrofest.com, 2021). The study of Macrofest’s sustainability development requires an evaluation of its contribution to improved living standards through its power utilization, transport mechanisms, and food waste.
Methodology
The Panama Macrofest is a public event that attracts participants from various locations globally. Therefore, the audience and the event’s website are the primary sources of data for this audit. Since most of the event’s participants are online users, gathering data on the sustainability of the Macrofest’s operations is easy and convenient. Online interviews were conducted involving both prominent and new content creators and innovators. Some of the questions asked include how food is supplied and waste handled during the event and the sources of power throughout the festival. Electronic questionnaires were also availed to the public to anonymously fill in details of their views regarding the sustainability of the event’s processes.
The questionnaires provided valuable information on the means of transportation used to arrive at the event and their environmental impacts. Questions were also asked about the types of food consumed during the festival and the means of waste handling during and after the event. The public was also invited to comment on whether they felt the audience and managers engaged in sustainability practices or not. The festival’s managers were interviewed through zoom due to the COVID-19 restrictions and questioned on their power sources and the contribution of transport systems to their organization’s sustainability efforts.
Audit
Area 1- power
Hydroelectricity is the most widely used alternative energy source on the planet. Approximately 20% of the current energy needs are met by renewable energy sources (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). Because of its dependable low-carbon features, sustainable power is poised to become a common part of our future, allowing customers to spend less on electricity while mitigating the effects of climate change (Lamberti et al., 2009). The US Energy Information Administration currently recognizes four key renewable energy sources as the primary providers of sustainable power: biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, and sun.
In Panama, hydroelectricity is the primary source of renewable energy, with capacity installed by a vertically integrated government utility. Today, renewable energy accounts for more than 65 percent of Panama’s electrical output, owing primarily to hydropower’s contribution (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). The nation also contains the region’s largest wind farm and a fast-expanding solar energy generation sector. The fall in the cost of such solutions has been a significant driver of this development. Panama Macrofest has capitalized on the extensive supply of clean energy in all its processes.
Power needs for the festival include advertisement needs, lighting, public address systems, according to the managers’ interview responses. About 85 percent of Macrofest’s power needs are met by electricity supplied by the state-owned provider (Macrofest.com, 2021). This is the power used for all public address purposes during the event. Advertisement is a significant part of every organization’s operations and contributes to the overall power needs (Jones, 2017). Macrofest has supported sustainable development plans by using advertising billboards powered through energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Advertisement needs consume around 10 percent of the organization’s energy cost (Macrofest.com, 2021). This is a significant amount that would pose severe challenges if sustainable approaches were not used.
Lighting is one of the crucial energy needs in any event, and organizations spend a lot of money on it. According to Macrofest’s event managers, lighting during the event consumes approximately 65 percent of the overall energy needs (Macrofest.com, 2021). The event, which is conducted during the day and night, needs continuous lighting. Besides, presenters need light to clearly show their products and innovations. The organization has invested in solar power that is used for hall lightings and outside lighting during the night. This way, the company reduces energy costs while facilitating sustainable development.
One of the significant causes of pollution in most company operations is the use of fossil fuels. The pollution effects of fossil fuels have contributed to global warming, leading to disrupted agricultural activities and many health challenges to individuals. In addition to pollution, the extraction and processing of fossil fuels are hazardous to the environment and population. Lack of consistent electrical power supply is the main contributing factor to the use of fossil fuels. In the case of Macrofest, sustainable energy use has been at the core of its operations (Macrofest.com, 2021). Managers were able to limit the use of diesel generators, as they rely mostly on clean energy sources. At no point does the organization use fossil fuel since it has a sustainable and continuous supply of electricity throughout the year.
Area 2 – Food Waste
In practically every country, food waste is a major problem. Among the whole population a million metric tons are thrown away every year (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). Households account for 61% of this waste, followed by food services at 26% and retail at 13% (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). There are presently two billion impoverished people on the planet, and it is estimated that by 2050, sixty percent more food will be required to support the world’s population (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). Food waste is a crucial issue for developing low-impact, efficient, and resilient food systems, mainly when food insecurity affects millions of individuals globally. Reducing food waste benefits individuals, the environment, and the economy in multiple ways. It promotes food security, solves global problems such as climate change, ecological imbalance, and degradation, and alleviates the strain on waste management systems.
One of the main factors contributing to food waste is the increase in non-recyclable food packaging methods. As a cultural festival, Panama Macrofest fosters the use of environmentally–friendly food packaging methods. According to the responses given by the event managers during the interviews, the use of edible plates reduces the amount of food wastage (Macrofest.com, 2021). Moreover, the organization has established a biological waste management system whereby food remains are stored in containers then used for various purposes such as biogas production and animal feeds production. As a rule, every person who participates in the event is expected to uphold waste management methods to limit food waste and ensure sustainable operations during the event and for future generations (Macrofest.com, 2021). Printed notices are placed on various points on the premises to remind the audience of sustainable food waste management.
In essence, Macrofest’s organizers understand their roles in contributing to sustainable food systems (SFS). An SFS is one that provides food and nutrition security for all while maintaining the social, economic, and ecological foundations necessary to provide a food supply for present and future generations (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). By encouraging food waste control and management, the festival upholds its corporate social responsibility. It is worth noting that with over five thousand participants, food wastage would be a significantly hazardous element of the event of not being carefully managed (Macrofest.com, 2021). During the festival, some cleaners are assigned to collect and properly dispose of every food remains dumped carelessly on the premises.
In every event, food is accompanied by drinks that are often supplied by different vendors and packaged differently. Soft drinks are considered an essential part of every event, posing serious pollution challenges. Although soft drinks supplied in glass bottles are available during the festival, they are sold at relatively higher prices, making it hard for some people to afford them. In such cases, plastic bottles have remained a significant food waste component.
An excess supply of food also contributes to increased food waste. Most of the interviewed persons revealed that when attending the festival, they often order more food than they can take, leading to food wastage. The interviewees further revealed that they mostly rely on soft drinks sold in plastic bottles, adding to food-related wastage (Macrofest.com, 2021). These responses depicted a cycle of food wastage at Panama Macrofest, which can be replicated in similar events globally.
Area 3-Travel
The Panama Macrofest attracts participants from various regions who have to travel to get to the venue. The means of travel determine the amount of pollution and have severe implications on environmental protection and sustainability. The use of fossil energy in travel and transportation adds to climate change. By 2050, tourism is expected to account for 40% of global carbon emissions (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). In addition, transportation currently accounts for 72 percent of tourism CO2 emissions, followed by accommodation at 24 percent and tourism activities at 4 percent (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). The environmental consequences of travel must not be disregarded as they account for a big percentage of environmentally unfriendly activities with the potential to ruin current and future generations.
Most motorized forms of transport emit large volumes of carbon dioxide that have led to global warming. In Panama, cars and motorbikes are the most common modes of transport. Considering that every year the event hosts five thousand people, electric trains would significantly lower the levels of pollution (Weitzel and Glock, 2018). Although trains provide a transportation system with fewer pollution effects, it is not available in many parts of the country. Lack of access to clean transportation methods has been attributed to the prevalent use of motor vehicles in many events in Panama (Curtis and Low, 2016). According to details given by most attendees, private cars are the most convenient means of transport (Macrofest.com, 2021). Most people travel alone or with their families and friends in personal cars to the event, adding to the number of cars involved and consequently increasing the levels of pollution.
Panama Macrofest is a global event, which makes it challenging for the organizers to develop a common transport mode for all attendees. Although the organizers advocate for clean transportation, they have no control over the type of vehicles participants use. According to the leaders, the audience comprises individuals from different geographical locations and social statuses (Macrofest.com, 2021). While some may afford expensive and environmentally-friendly means of travel, others have to rely on public means. Some remote areas are less accessible by clean transport modes, implying that pollution is far from being eliminated in Panama.
The Macrofest event organizers use electric trains to transport heavy exhibitions from various locations to the venue. However, the interviewed leaders revealed that most musicians, innovators, and other participants come along with their tools. Most of the tools and artifacts showcased during the festival are stored within the designated premises at the venue, and, therefore, no transportation is needed (Macrofest.com, 2021). In essence, Macrofest has done little to ensure sustainability in regard to its transport modes. The participants seem to be less concerned over the pollution effects of their transportation means. Most of the interviewed persons seemed not to grasp the impact of transport on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This point reveals that a sustainability audit was crucial in exposing the festival’s lack of clear sustainability policy facilitating the development of effective problem-solving techniques.
Recommendations
Area 1 – Extensive Use of Solar Energy
Panama has a conducive climate for solar energy generation since it has a significantly large number of sunshine hours most of the year. According to Rafique and Rehman (2020), March is the hottest month in Panama, having an average of 268 sunshine hours. March is also the festival month, implying that solar energy could be used to meet most of the event’s energy needs. Solar energy is advantageous in that it is freely available and can be tapped through solar panels, which are easily accessible in most parts of the country (Rafique and Rehman, 2020). With the reduced cost, the festival venue can be fitted with many solar panels to ensure a sustainable supply of power during the day and night.
The cost is a significant element of sustainability in regard to energy management. For this reason, the festival managers need to apply efficient energy use systems that will enable them to save on power costs. During the day, some light sources can be turned off to minimize energy use. Moreover, large-scale solar power generators could be used to ensure that in case of fewer sunshine hours, there will be sufficient energy for use. It would also be important to track the energy consumption of the electrically-operated industrial machines.
Area 2- Food Rationing
In most cases, food wastage results from individuals carrying more food than they can consume, which ends up rotten and wasted. When the cost of food is associated with quantity, people would be less likely to purchase more than they can take. This way, food wastage would be reduced, and a significant amount of money saved (Gouvea and Vora, 2018). Many people that filed the online questionnaires agreed that in most cases, they waste the food they had prepared as opposed to purchased food. For this reason, limiting people from carrying their own food would be an effective waste control plan.
In many events, people avoid costs by carrying the food prepared at home. Since this has been found to contribute to food wastage, Macrofest’s organizers could pass a regulation requiring all attendees to purchase food prepared in the venue. For this effort to be effective, the managers would have to ensure high-quality standards and health practices (Mak et al., 2020). Food prices should be regulated at the festival to enable many attendees to afford it. In addition, food packaging should be focused on edible or recyclable products to minimize food-related wastage (Monteiro et al., 2020). Lastly, stricter rules could be enforced to ensure that those involved with food wastage are heavily charged to discourage the practice.
Area 3 – Extensive Use of Clean Transport Modes
In addition to electric trains, cheaper and easily accessible transport systems can also be used. One such example is the solar-powered electric bike that can provide a solution to the pollution challenge (Weitzel and Glock, 2018). The problem with accessibility would be effectively solved by the solar-powered be since it can be used even in remote areas. Convenience and speed would be assured since the user does not need to cycle, and the bike is very fast (Apostolou et al., 2018). The main challenge to this problem is lack of awareness which can be solved by educating people on the use and benefits of the bike.
As Macrofest seeks to ensure sustainable transport, it could establish clean transport modes to serve people inaccessible areas. In addition, plans could be made to have people travel up to a specified station where they would board then use the provided means by the festival organizers. The users can be transported for free to encourage participation or charged a small fee to support the event operations. Either way, sustainable transport will be achieved, extending to a sustainable society. People should also be encouraged to use vehicles that emit less smoke and consider the type of fuel they use as it determines the levels of pollution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Panama Macrofest is a popular festival bridging the gap between historical and modern trends. The event allows innovation and research through its advocacy of cultural expressions and technological exhibitions. The event, which occurs in March, attracts at least five thousand persons from different places globally. Sustainability auditing is a crucial aspect of every organization and event. It helps people to evaluate the current processes in line with the recommended global sustainable approaches and to realign the company’s activities to meet its strategic goals. Macrofest’s sustainability audit was based on the event managers and the public, who provided valuable information on current practices and the gaps in its sustainability goals.
Panama Macrofest has contributed significantly to sustainable development by advocating for healthy practices, including the adoption of traditional, recyclable, and edible food packaging methods, reducing food-related waste. The event organizers can improve their energy management systems by relying more on solar energy. In addition, advocating for clean transportation modes and offering transport to attendees could significantly help to lower environmental pollution. If the festival managers focus on educating attendees on the value of sustainable practices, it will reduce the negative consequences associated with food waste, pollution through transport, and poor energy management.
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