A Guide to Sustainability in the Events Industry
The events industry is focused on bringing people together and providing unforgettable experiences, but this does come at a cost to the environment. Research by MeetGreen shows that a three-day, in-person event with 1000 attendees produces 530 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
The reasons emissions are so high for events include single-use materials, high volumes of waste, long-distance travel and inefficient resource management.
Sustainability is very important to us - something we hope will become the norm across the events industry. With that in mind, here are some ways to champion sustainability in the events industry.
How to create an event sustainability plan
1. Outline the environmental impact of your event in detail
It is hard to know where improvements need to be made if you don’t know what the effects of your event are, so the first step to creating a sustainability plan is to map out the environmental impact of your event.
This should include every aspect of your event, such as your venue, the expected number of attendees and staff, the equipment such as lighting and speaker systems, travel to and from the event for attendees, transport of supplies, catering, water usage, and any items provided to attendees such as leaflets or goodie bags.
2. Consider virtual and hybrid options
Recent years have taught the sceptics among us that virtual events can be really effective, from smaller functions to much larger productions. Virtual events also have a much smaller carbon footprint than live events, so it might be worth considering whether your next event could work as an online feature.
While in many cases there is no substitute for a live event, a hybrid event can allow more people to attend (virtually) without actually contributing to the carbon footprint.
3. Be wary of greenwashing
Greenwashing in the events industry refers to the practice of making your contributions to sustainability seem much better than they are. This could mean exaggerating sustainable credentials or promoting practices that aren’t particularly environmentally friendly at all, even if they seem like they are.
You should be wary of any signs of greenwashing in the businesses you partner with, and also make sure you aren’t greenwashing when advertising the sustainability of your event.
4. Choose an eco-friendly venue or host your event outdoors
Your choice of venue can make a huge difference to the sustainability of your event. All venues will have an environmental impact, but the way they are managed makes a huge difference. Look for venues that are putting their efforts towards renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and waste reduction.
Outdoor venues are also a very good choice in terms of sustainability, as heating and lighting requirements are reduced (depending on the time of day and season).
5. Partner with green and eco-conscious suppliers
One way to become more sustainable in your events practices is to partner with businesses in the industry that share the same values. This isn’t just limited to food suppliers - everything from the event decoration to the AV setup has its own environmental footprint, so it is a good idea to check the green credentials of everyone who is contributing to the event.
6. Go plastic or paper free
Waste can be a huge problem at events, and one way to combat this is to go plastic or paper free. While we are all familiar with the detrimental effects of single-use plastic, even recyclable materials like paper can often be wasted and end up in landfill.
The production of leaflets, forms and flyers does come with a carbon footprint which could be eliminated or at least reduced when these materials can be distributed digitally instead, making your event much more sustainable.
7. Use local businesses for supplies and services
One of the major contributions to GHGs in all industries, including events, is shipping and transportation. One way to cut down these emissions and make the event more sustainable overall is to use local businesses for the supplies and services you need.
This way, you will be reducing the travel time (and subsequent emissions) of goods and personnel, while also helping to boost the local economy.
8. Encourage green transportation
To further reduce the transport footprint of your event, you could also consider encouraging green transportation for the attendees (and staff) of your event. This means using public transport, electric vehicles, ride-sharing, and walking or cycling where possible.
You may even be able to incentivise such travel if you budget for it, such as rewarding those who prove they attended via public transport or seeing if you can partner with a certain company or local authority to provide discounted rates for your guests.
9. Opt for LED
A simple switch you can make when it comes to your event’s AV requirements is to opt for LED lighting and screens, which use far less energy than other options such as tungsten lighting. An LED screen also has the benefit of a sharper picture and a clear image even when used outdoors.
10. Reduce water usage
Water waste might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to sustainability in the events industry, but it is a problem.
You can combat this by using pump-powered taps that turn off automatically when not in use, providing waste water containers, and ensuring that traders and cleaners only use eco-friendly cleaning products that do not harm the environment and don’t require excessive use of water.
Improving sustainability in the events industry can be achieved through a combination of improving the practices of individual events, while also educating others and championing sustainable practices on a wider scale. Developing a comprehensive sustainability plan for your next event is a great place to start!