Experts emphasise that carbon neutrality is not the end goal but rather a step towards net zero. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/U-STUDIOGRAPHY DD59
In November 2022, the events industry released the ‘Roadmap to Net Zero
Carbon Events’ at Cop 27, which provides a clear and comprehensive path
to sustainability for the live events industry.
Currently,
more than 480 organisations from 50 countries have signed the pledge,
but industry professionals are encouraged to take practical steps to
make live events more sustainable.
Four global event experts, including Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI,
Eloisa Urrutia, head of sustainability, meetings and events at American
Express Global Business Travel, Senthil Gopinath, CEO for ICCA, and
Helen Sheppard, sustainability director for RX (Reed Exhibitions),
shared their insights on how to begin the journey to net zero events at
the ‘Countdown to Decarbonising Events’ session at RX’s IBTM World in
Barcelona last year.
The panel emphasised the importance of not feeling overwhelmed by the
challenges ahead and to start testing small actions, as every step is a
step towards net zero.
Travel to and from events, particularly airline emissions, is the
largest contributor to carbon emissions for most live events. Therefore,
the panel recommended putting pressure on the industry to invest in
change, such as choosing airline partners with newer, more
fuel-efficient planes and clear sustainability commitments.
Event professionals should also think creatively when designing
events, considering venues with optimised routes near airports, railway
stations, and public transport networks. They can also influence the way
delegates travel by suggesting train or public transport options.
The panel also emphasised that carbon neutrality is not the end goal
but rather a step towards net zero. The priority for face-to-face events
should be to avoid and reduce carbon emissions, and high-quality
offsets that remove carbon from the atmosphere should be prioritised if
offsetting is necessary.