Top ten takeaways from three years in event sustainability
After three years in event sustainability we’ve learned a few things.
1. It’s not just about carbon
When the events industry started its sustainability journey a few years ago, ‘sustainability’ quickly became all about reducing carbon footprints. Sustainability = about carbon – and little else to anyone in the industry. However, corporations then began to broaden their focus to include “People, Planet, Profit,” aligning with the wider concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). Global indices are now provided by organisations of MSCI, S&P Global and Bloomberg to scrutinise the performance of companies and sectors in these areas. And now, events themselves are being scrutinised for their ESG impact using tools like impact, which assess environmental, social, and governance performance on an event-by-event basis.
2. Hosting a zero-impact event isn’t really possible
The idea of an event with no environmental impact is mostly a myth. Virtual events have a low footprint, but we’ve seen how much the industry loves in-person gatherings since Covid. These physical events can have significant per-delegate emissions—sometimes equal to the average person’s carbon footprint for an entire year. While many organisations are working hard to reduce emissions, reaching true net zero often requires carbon offsets, which cost money without any immediate financial payoff. It’s a tough challenge that mirrors debates happening across many industries.
3. ESG isn’t without its critics
Think ESG is all sunshine and goodwill? Think again. From political divides to accusations of greenwashing, ESG is a topic full of debate. What does “good ESG” even mean? Despite the controversies, event planners already have the power to make thoughtful choices and steer their events in a more sustainable direction.
4. Event sustainability isn’t that well regulated
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) came into effect in early 2023, but it applies only to the biggest players. Smaller event organisers remain outside its scope. However, larger clients increasingly expect organisers to report on carbon emissions as part of their supply chain, so indirect pressures are mounting.
5. The UK and Europe are (partially) leading the way
Europe may be ahead in regulation (like the CSRD), but the US is making bigger waves on the social side of ESG. Movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, as well as initiatives to support minority- and women- owned businesses, all started in the US. Geography also plays a role, Americans often fly to events where Europeans might take the train. Different regions face different challenges, but both are making progress in their own ways.
6. Measuring social sustainability is possible, but tricky
Unlike carbon emissions, which have standardised metrics and frameworks (like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol), social sustainability is harder to quantify. Factors like legacy, local suppliers, and diversity (DEIA) vary widely, and there’s no universal system for measuring them. Some tools, like impact, are helping planners track social impacts, but it’s still a developing field.
7. On-site changes aren’t enough
Efforts like banning single-use plastics or serving vegan meals are great, but they barely scratch the surface. For larger events, the bulk of emissions comes from travel and accommodation. So, if these areas are outside a planner’s control, who’s responsible? Hosting a plastic-free, plant-based event won’t mean much if most attendees are flying in from far away.
8. Event sustainability is still in its infancy
The events industry has only been seriously discussing environmental sustainability for about five years, and social sustainability is an even newer focus. Large-scale corporate reporting only began in the EU last year. It’s a young and evolving field, and the road ahead won’t be easy. Progress also depends on related sectors, like hospitality and aviation, making strides alongside us.
9. A sustainability policy alone isn’t enough
Most organisations have public ESG values stated at board level, but turning those into action at events is still a work in progress. Real change requires behavioural shifts—starting with us. For example, site inspections in far-flung locations used to be considered part of the job, but are they still necessary now that we have advanced local resources and virtual tools? Time will tell if the industry is truly adapting or just keeping quiet about old habits. We’ll see what the event industry has been up to, from an agency perspective, with the publication of the Power 50 Most Sustainable Agencies 2024-5 in late January 2025 at micebook EXPO.
10. We keep hearing “We’re too busy to focus on sustainability.”
We hear this a lot from those delivering events. It’s essentially saying, “We’re too busy creating wasteful, damaging events to take the time to ensure our industry’s long-term survival.” Yes, we know event planners are under pressure – it’s a fast-paced world. That’s why sustainability tools need to be simple and quick to use. You don’t need to become a carbon expert overnight, but by spending a little time on event scope, destination, and format, you can make a big difference.
After three years in event sustainability one thing we can say for sure is that no two events are the same, yet many hols similar characteristics.
Each event has unique factors—size, location, format, and its own supply chain—that affect its ESG impact. But as event planners, you’re at the heart of this sustainability web. Tools like Track (for carbon reporting) and Impact give you the insight and influence to steer events towards more sustainable outcomes – so make use of them, they will save you time and shape your outcomes. Here’s to events showing other industries how it’s done over the next three years!
For more information about how event:decision can support you to develop more sustainable events, please get in touch.
