Eleven predictions for event sustainability in 2025. (Yes, 2025).

In Dec-24, event:decision made the following 11 predictions.  Let’s see how we (or more realistically, you) got on.

 

1. Responsible event delivery will match sustainability in importance to clients

While carbon emissions remain a dominant theme, responsible event delivery – a wider focus on ethical practices and social responsibility has definitely taken a step up and remains a firm competitive edge for event owners, agencies, hotels and destinations.

Score: about 60% right

 

2. New metrics will emerge to measure impacts

As a direct result of shifting focus, event:decision already offer Impact: Responsible Event Reviews, which benchmark performance across ESG, not solely in carbon emissions. We’ll also be first to market with an event  Social Value Yield from early 2026.

Yes, a Social Value Yield per event in real money, expressed as a % of total event budget.

Score: 100% right.

 

3. Carbon tools and reporting will become more sophisticated

During 2025, carbon tracking and reporting technologies will offer a more integrated and accurate picture of event-related emissions. Tools, like our own Track –  which aggregate data from multiple sources, like travel providers, venues, and F&B, will make it easier to generate comprehensive event-wide sustainability reports.

No step-change revolution here, but advances within event:decision’s Track service now includes AI analysis and Travel Capture tech.

 Score: about 60% right.

 

4. Event sustainability will slip down the planner agenda

Sustainability will no longer dominate headlines in the industry – not because it’s less important, but because it is more mainstream. The hype about “being amazing at sustainability” will give way to a more grounded, practical approach. Sustainability will become a baseline expectation for clients, making it less of a unique selling point and more of a fundamental requirement.

Event sustainability has slipped down the agenda, but for a different reason, mainly cost pressures. (See our own The State of Sustainability in Events 2025).

Score: 100%

 

5. Collaboration across client teams will increase efficiency

The alignment of client event teams, procurement departments, and corporate ESG initiatives will lead to greater efficiency and fewer silos. In 2025 and onwards, we’ll see a more joined-up approach to planning, budgeting, and implementing sustainable practices.

Score: Wishful thinking, 30% correct feels about right.

 

6. Greenwashing will persist

Despite progress, greenwashing will remain an issue. The gap between talking about sustainability and actually implementing effective practices is still evident in many areas.

Score: sadly, 90% correct in this prediction, it’s easy to make token gestures or simply ignore large sources of emissions.

 

7. A deeper understanding of the relative impacts of events will emerge

As some companies complete five or more years of reporting on the environmental effects of their events, a clearer picture of what really drives impact will emerge. This deeper understanding will enable event planners to focus on the most significant areas of impact, such as attendee travel, community engagement, and local supply.

Score: 60% correct,  yes, there is better understanding of the levers of sustainability in events, but hasn’t led to much actual change in event design at macro-level.

 

8. Venues will lead in innovation

Venues will continue to push the boundaries of sustainable practices, offering creative solutions to reduce their environmental impact.

Destinations, hotels and event venues have continued to innovate to deliver a more sustainable product, but often in Social activation, local supply, circularity & local social enterprise event-support.

Score: we’ll give ourselves 65% correct here.

 

9. Political and economic factors will challenge sustainability efforts

Despite fears, the 2024 US election result will have a limited direct impact on event sustainability. While new political leadership may influence ESG policies, brands are increasingly aware that their audiences still expect responsible event practices, regardless of a change of government.

However, in the UK, ongoing challenges like the rise in employer National Insurance contributions, budget pressures and staffing challenges will hit the industry hard, venues and hospitality providers especially. However, just as we have shown resilience through all recent crises, we will adapt once again – albeit with some bruises.

Jury is out. No doubt attitudes to some areas of sustainable and responsible event delivery can be avoided conveniently by brands who choose to do so. Others appreciate they should address the wants of their audience and reinforce ethical and responsible event delivery.

Score: about 50%.

 

10. New materials and designs will shape expo sustainability

The demand for sustainable exhibition materials will drive innovation in the sector and modular expo frame manufacturers will develop more sophisticated and reusable designs. Materials innovation will not only reduce waste but also provide flexible, cost-effective solutions for exhibitors.

Yes, we see the adoption of better practices front-of-house in many exhibitions. Sometimes less so back-of-house.

Score: somewhat. 35% right in prediction.

 

11. Consolidation and consultancy growth will reshape the sector

By 2025, the event sustainability sector will see increased consolidation, with agencies merging or forming strategic partnerships. Smaller consultancies focused on sustainability will continue to emerge and grow, providing specialised expertise to meet the rising demand for guidance on sustainable practices.

There have been some big changes within event sustainability supply/support at the sector level and the emergence of several smaller specialist consultancies. Changes within the agency landscape seem to be on the increase.

Score: 100% we spotted that one.