Sustainability at General Assembly

Guiding Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

In concert with our Seventh Principle and with urging from the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, the General Assembly (GA) Planning Committee has been steadily making GA more sustainable since 2005. The last time we gathered in person (Spokane 2019), we reached two momentous milestones in our sustainability journey: a zero-waste and carbon-neutral GA. With the support of the sustainable event experts at Honeycomb Strategies, we intend to keep GA at the highest standards of environmental stewardship for years to come.

A GA recycling volunteers transfers a recyclable cup from a landfill container to a recycling bin.

Long Term Sustainability Goals

  • Continue being a Zero Waste Event
  • Maintain Carbon Neutrality in 2023 and beyond
  • Advance Stakeholder Education & Engagement
  • Continuously Improve Sustainable Sourcing
  • Create a Positive Social Impact and Lasting Legacy on our Host Community
Four GA volunteers pose in front of the General Session Hall

Members of the 2022 Volunteer Green Team

Achievements

Past Awards

The UUA and General Assembly received the For Planet and People Award-Religious Organization Category from The Carbon Fund (2012).

The UUA was noted as one of the Top 5 Organizations for Green Meetings by Meetings and Conventions (2012).

UUA General Assembly won the Silver Green Meetings Award presented by IMEX (2008).

A group of youth recieve training on recycling.

Children's Programs participants learn about recycling efforts at GA

Annual Sustainability Reports