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Delivering Sustainable Events

Let’s talk event sustainability…

With sustainability a top priority for all businesses and with imminent legislative reporting on the horizon, considering the environmental, social and economic impact of the events we organise is becoming a critical part of delivering live events. In a typically wasteful industry, it is imperative that we minimise our impact to drive positive change for a more sustainable future. But where do we start? What is sustainability, why is it important and how do we deliver sustainable events? 

Ready to investigate the key trends in event sustainability?

Here are our Top 5 trends to consider for event sustainability…

1. Circular Economy and Waste Reduction

There’s a growing interest in how events can reduce waste, with an emphasis on circularity, such as using recycled materials and minimizing single-use items. A circular economy is an economic model that focuses on designing products and systems to reduce waste and reuse resources. Instead of following the traditional linear model of “take, make, and dispose,” it promotes extending the life cycle of products through recycling, refurbishing, and reusing materials.

Companies are increasingly adopting strategies to encourage recycling and reuse at events​. Waste reduction is a key aspect of this model, aiming to minimize the generation of waste by encouraging sustainable product design and responsible consumption. It also emphasizes eliminating single-use items and finding ways to repurpose or recycle materials at the end of their use. This approach benefits both the environment and the economy by reducing the need for raw materials and decreasing pollution.

2. Green Energy and Carbon Footprints

Renewable energy use, especially incorporating green hydrogen and solar power, is a significant area of focus. Event planners are keen to reduce carbon footprints, with many exploring carbon offsets and using clean energy sources​. Green energy refers to power generated from renewable, non-polluting sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy. It contrasts with fossil fuels like coal and oil, which emit greenhouse gases during production.

A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, event, organization, or product. Reducing carbon footprints involves minimizing energy consumption, using green energy sources, and adopting sustainable practices to lower emissions. Together, green energy and carbon footprint reduction help mitigate climate change by decreasing reliance on polluting energy and reducing environmental impact.

3. Climate Resilience and Adaptation

As the climate crisis intensifies, there’s increasing attention on how events can become more resilient to climate hazards, focusing on both adaptation and mitigation strategies​.

Climate resilience is the ability of communities, ecosystems, or businesses to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events or rising sea levels. It involves developing systems that can withstand and recover from these climate-related disruptions.

Adaptation refers to the adjustments made in response to actual or expected climate impacts, such as building infrastructure to resist floods or altering agricultural practices to cope with changing weather patterns. Together, resilience and adaptation focus on reducing vulnerability and enhancing the capacity to deal with climate risks. These strategies are essential as climate hazards worsen, threatening human health, economic stability, and ecosystems

4. Sustainability Reporting and Accountability

Regulations around sustainability reporting are becoming stricter, with new EU and U.S. laws requiring events to transparently report on their environmental impact. This includes monitoring supply chains and reducing Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions from supply chains)​.

Sustainability reporting is the process by which companies disclose information about their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, including their impact on the environment and how they address sustainability challenges.

It ensures accountability by requiring businesses to provide transparent, data-backed reports on how they manage issues like carbon emissions, waste, and resource use. This reporting helps stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and consumers, evaluate a company’s sustainability efforts and track progress over time. Increased regulations, like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are pushing businesses to improve the quality and consistency of their disclosures. Effective sustainability reporting helps hold companies accountable for their environmental impact and promotes more responsible business practices​.

5. Greenwashing Prevention

There’s a push against greenwashing, with laws targeting false sustainability claims. Event organizers are expected to provide verifiable data to back up their sustainability claims​.

Greenwashing prevention aims to stop companies from making misleading or false claims about their environmental practices or products to appear more sustainable than they are. Laws and regulations are increasingly being implemented to hold businesses accountable for these claims, requiring verifiable data and transparent reporting.

This includes ensuring that companies’ advertising, product labels, and corporate reports accurately reflect their sustainability efforts without exaggeration. For example, in the EU, new rules target greenwashing by banning vague claims like “eco-friendly” unless backed by clear, measurable standards. Preventing greenwashing helps build consumer trust and promotes genuine sustainability practices rather than superficial marketing​

These trends reflect a broader shift in how sustainability is integrated into event planning, with a growing demand for transparency, accountability, and innovation.

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And to finish up, here are our Top 3 blogs to read more about event sustainability…

Neste

This blog is an excellent resource for event sustainability because it highlights key 2024 sustainability trends, such as the shift to renewable energy, regulatory changes targeting greenwashing, and the role of AI in sustainability.

It provides insightful analysis on emerging technologies, legislation, and practical solutions to current environmental challenges.

Additionally, it covers both global and local efforts, making it relevant to a wide range of audiences. The expert commentary adds depth to the discussion on disruptive sustainability and biodiversity

Sigma Earth

This blog from Sigma Earth is a valuable resource for event sustainability information because it highlights key trends in sustainability for 2024, covering topics such as renewable energy, circular economy practices, and ESG reporting.

It emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, supply chain transparency, and climate action—all crucial considerations for sustainable event planning.

Additionally, the insights provided help organizations navigate compliance, risk management, and sustainability strategies to align with the latest environmental standards and goals.

S&P Global

This blog from S&P Global is a great resource for event sustainability as it outlines key trends like climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable finance for 2024.

It offers insights into challenges such as managing carbon markets and the importance of reporting on material sustainability issues in global supply chains.

Additionally, its in-depth analysis of emerging policies and financial tools is useful for event organizers aiming to stay compliant and drive environmental impact.

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