Do you ever wonder what it really means for an event to be sustainable?
To help answer this question, the Events Industry Council recently released new Principles for Sustainable Events.
These principles are based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which are 17 specific targets that nations around the world are trying to achieve by 2030 for a better human future.
Using the UN goals as their guide, here’s how the EIC defines sustainability for events:
Sustainability for events means taking action towards preserving our natural environment; promoting a healthy, inclusive society; and supporting a thriving economy.
The principles list specific sustainable practices that event professionals should follow during the planning and execution of their events.
What do the Principles for Sustainable Events mean for your business?
1. Sustainability is a multifaceted goal
Ideally, all events should follow all of the sustainable practices listed in the principles. However, realistically, our industry has a long way to go before that’s the reality.
The sustainable practices that are listed in the principles are great starting points for developing your organization’s sustainability program. Consider choosing one practice from each principle, then brainstorm practical ways your team can put that idea into action. For example:
Environmental practice: Conservation of resources
Action idea: Choose rented dishes instead of disposables
Social practice: Community impacts
Action idea: Donate leftover event supplies to local schools
Economic practice: Local support
Action idea: Purchase event supplies & services from small local businesses
2. Event planners and suppliers share responsibility
The very first principle states that “Event organisers and suppliers share responsibility for implementing and communicating sustainable practices to their stakeholders.”
This means nobody gets a pass when it comes to producing a sustainable event. Planners and suppliers need to work together on sustainable solutions. None of us can disengage from sustainability because it’s “someone else’s responsibility.”
To demonstrate your commitment to producing sustainable events, you can sign up on the EIC website as an endorser of the sustainable event principles. And to learn how you can apply the principles to your events, sign up for the EIC’s upcoming webinars or watch their previous recordings. I attend the EIC’s webinars regularly and can attest that they’re full of great information.
What do you think about the new principles? What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of implementing them? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!