What is events sector's path to net zero?

Detailed plan to help the business meetings and events sector achieve net zero by 2050 set to be launched at COP27.

The Net Zero Carbon Events Roadmap will be presented on 11 November – Decarbonisation Day, at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
The Net Zero Carbon Events Roadmap will be presented on 11 November – Decarbonisation Day, at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Photo Credit: Adobe/Naj

Meetings and events industry leaders will explain how they plan to drastically reduce the sector's carbon emissions when they attend COP27 next month.

The Net Zero Carbon Events Roadmap will be presented on 11 November – Decarbonisation Day, at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The sustainability initiative, set up by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), will lay out a plan to help the business meetings and events sector achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest.

Support for the initiative has grown from 21 organisations in 2021 to 409 today. As part of the pledge, each organisation has agreed to publish its pathway to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest, with an interim target to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

The soon-to-be-launched Net Zero Carbon Events Roadmap will include a comprehensive 80-page plan on how to implement action to achieve net zero alongside a 20-page executive summary.

JMIC president, James Rees, said: “Globally, there is an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net-zero emissions. The events industry can and should play its part in helping to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement. That’s why the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative was set up.

“The initiative has made a strong start and we are building momentum. We’d welcome everyone not only to follow us on social media and to take part in the meeting on 11 November but also to sign the Pledge and join us.”

Rees added that registration is free of charge, but financial contributions are crucial to developing the campaign.

The organisations contributing financially to the campaign are: Platinum Level - Freeman; Informa; Javits Center; Questex: RX and ufi; Gold Level – Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center; ICCA; Messe Munchen; Scottish Event Campus and SISO; Silver Level - ADNEC; Clarion Events; Emerald; IMEX Group and Tarsus; Green Level – APIC; Glasgow Convention Bureau; IAPC; MontECOlino; NBAA; Olympia London; OMEGA Group and Stockholmsmassan.

Source: AMI