每逢政黨大會召開，總是耗費許多資源並製造許多垃圾，可有對環境比較友善的開會方式？其實，現在已經有再生能源、燃料電池、二氧化碳排放補償、營建材料與廢紙回收再利用等等越來越多的方案可運用。
在2004年間，曾經幫民主黨與共和黨策劃過全國代表大會環保方案的波士頓機構「環境責任會議聯盟」（CERC），5月30日公布一份報告，提供該機構綠化政治集會的行動細節，讓其他團體舉辦會議時也可加以運用。這份案例研究報告長達104頁，目前已全數上網，網址為：cerc04.org。
CERC是如何籌畫會議，讓共和、民主兩黨分別在波士頓與紐約舉行的全代會具備「碳平衡」機制並符合永續發展原則？其工作細節都巨細靡遺地寫在這份報告中。
CERC執行長魯本（Dan Ruben）表示：「這個案例研究的目的，是要支持未來政治會議或其他活動的規劃單位，將對環境最有利的措施納入會議規劃之中。我相信這份文件對活動規劃者將會是非常棒的資源，同時它也是探討『綠色會議』的重要文獻。」
CERC擁有50多組織會員和100多位個人會員。該機構執行許多方案，為市府官員、政黨幹部及企業提供建議，同時也運用媒體宣傳向會議代表以及大眾宣導環境友善措施的各項應用。
因為該機構的各項努力，CERC獲得美國環保署頒獎表揚，並獲得由「國際性會議暨獎勵旅遊展」（IMEX）、以及「綠色會議產業委員會」（Green Meeting Industry Council）合作頒發的國際性「環境責任會議獎」（Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award）。
CERC與合作單位所共同執行過的20多項環境友善方案簡要條列如下：
採購再生能源：CERC向風力發電場、小規模水力電水壩、以及垃圾掩埋場沼氣發電設施採購足夠電力，用以補償在波士旗鑑中心球館（Fleet Center）與紐約麥迪遜花園廣場辦活動時使用的電量。
燃料電池應用：波士頓活動會場媒體室所使用的電力，大部分仰賴一個250千瓦的燃料電池供應。
碳排放補償：CERC取得12萬2,100單位的溫室氣體排放額度，以補償會議期間的碳排放與空氣污染物排放──其補償對象主要是會議與會者往返家鄉與波士頓（或紐約）會場所衍生的交通工具排放污染。
Renewable energy, fuel cells, carbon emissions offsets, recycling of construction materials and waste paper - all these measures and more make for environmentally friendly political conventions.
The organization that greened both Democratic and Republican National Conventions in 2004 Tuesday published the details of how it was done so other groups can do the same for their own conventions.
The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions (CERC), based in Boston, has posted the 104-page case study online at: cerc04.org.
The study presents the story of CERC's work in Boston and New York to make both national party conventions climate neutral and sustainable.
"The purpose of the case study is to support planners of future political conventions and other events to incorporate environmental best practices," said CERC Executive Director Dan Ruben. "I believe this document will be a great resource for event organizers, and an important addition to the green meeting literature."
CERC became a coalition of more than 50 organizations and 100 individuals. It carried out many projects, provided advice to city and party officials and businesses, and executed a media campaign to educate delegates and the public about environmentally friendly practices.
For its efforts, CERC was honored with two awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with the international Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award that was presented by IMEX, the international meetings and incentive travel industry conference, and the Green Meeting Industry Council.
Among the more than two dozen projects carried out by CERC and its partners at the conventions were:
Renewable energy: CERC purchased and acquired from wind farms, a small-scale hydroelectric dam, and a landfill gas facility enough electricity to offset power usage at Boston's Fleet Center and New York's Madison Square Garden.
Fuel cell demonstration: A 250-kilowatt fuel cell provided much of the power for the media pavilion in Boston.
Carbon emission offsets: 122,100 greenhouse gas credits were acquired to offset carbon emissions and air pollution resulting from travel by convention-goers from their home states to and from Boston and New York.
