Are emissions really that important? They’re all but impossible to avoid in modern-day life, so what can really be done? For those of us working in events, it can be easy to detach ourselves from the concept of emissions, but the truth is that research indicates the events industry is responsible for over 10% of global CO2 emissions.
Amongst many other reasons to care, one of the most pressing for businesses is that consumer behaviour is shifting. There is a growing societal expectation for corporate responsibility, and so for your business to thrive, measuring and mitigating your emissions is going to become imperative. Governments are starting to take notice, ramping up their efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, through initiatives such as the UK’s Climate Change Act, which aims for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. Or the Paris Agreement which aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, necessitating global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the latter half of the 21st century.
Additionally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a universal agenda for ending poverty, protecting the planet, and promoting prosperity, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Then there’s the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), effective since January 2023, which mandates companies to report on their environmental and social impact, as well as the auditing of reported information, aligning with the EU Green Deal’s goals for corporate accountability.
Change is everywhere but it’s not always easy to implement. It is, however, worth it. 27% of managers in British companies would likely accept a salary cut to work for a company that has a clear purpose beyond profit. 32% would actually consider leaving their job if a greater purpose was unclear, while more than half (53%) would if their company’s values and purpose didn’t align with their own. (Danone/YouGov 2018). Both internally and externally, people are seeking purpose—and it’s this shift in behaviour that makes measuring your event emissions so worth it.
How to Assess Your Emissions and Carbon Footprint
To accurately measure your event emissions, you need to consider factors such as energy consumption, transportation, waste management, and resource usage – to name but a few! Some of this data will depend on the venue that you’re using, others will require some focus on your supply chain and their practices, in addition to aspects such as staff, speaker, and attendee travel. However, by conducting a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment, you will be able to identify the primary sources of emissions and devise strategies to reduce them. This assessment can then be used as a baseline for tracking your progress and demonstrating a long-term commitment to sustainability.
Here are our 6 key steps for assessing your carbon footprint and pinpointing your sources of emissions:
- Collect Data for Benchmarking
Benchmarking is effectively your starting point and by collecting and compiling your data, you can build a wider picture of your carbon footprint. You need this information to formulate your strategy. To do this, you will need to collect data from a variety of aspects including energy, transportation, print, food and beverage, waste, and materials. Basically, all the individual components that make up your event! - Calculate Emissions and Format Correctly
While your raw data may be something along the lines of “300 people visited this event and 80% travelled by public transport”, this isn’t necessarily going to be the statistics that you will want to put in presentations and reports, or that prospects will look at when deciding whether to use your business or not. This is where you’ll want to utilise carbon footprint calculation tools or consult with sustainability experts to calculate the emissions correctly. But whichever way you choose to do it, you’ll want to display this as metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). - Identify Hotspots and Conduct a SWOT
Analyse the calculated emissions to identify the primary sources or “hotspots” contributing to the event’s carbon footprint. This could include areas such as energy-intensive activities, long-distance transportation, or excessive waste generation. Understanding these hotspots will guide the development of targeted mitigation strategies. Once you have your information, gather your team and conduct a SWOT analysis where you can evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats from multiple vantage points. This structured assessment method allows you to delve deeper into the internal and external factors influencing your emissions profile, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making. - Set Goals and Objectives
Once you have your data compiled, you should have a clearer understanding of your carbon footprint, along with your strengths and weaknesses and areas with room for improvement. With all this, you’ll be able to establish realistic reduction targets for each identified hotspot. These targets should be SMART i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By setting reduction goals, organisers can track progress and hold themselves accountable for implementing sustainable practices. Remember, your reduction goals don’t need to be huge straight away—any change is better than no change! - Create Your Strategy
Now you have your data and your SWOT and SMART goals, you can develop a tailored action plan (i.e. your sustainability strategy) to address the identified hotspots and how you plan to achieve the reduction targets you set. This may involve adopting energy-efficient technologies, promoting sustainable transportation options, optimising waste management processes, and encouraging responsible resource consumption. Engaging stakeholders, such as suppliers, attendees, and clients, in these initiatives can foster collaboration and enhance the effectiveness of the strategies. - Implement Feedback and Repeat the Cycle!
One of the most important parts is making sure you continuously monitor and measure the event’s emissions throughout its lifecycle. To do this, regularly assess progress against your reduction targets and make adjustments as necessary. Consider conducting post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement and implement lessons learned in future events. This iterative approach ensures ongoing sustainability improvements and demonstrates a commitment to continual environmental stewardship.
By following these steps and accurately measuring and reducing event emissions, companies can demonstrate their commitment to a greener future, enhance their reputation, and ultimately thrive in a world increasingly focused on sustainability. This proactive approach is not just beneficial but essential for long-term success and environmental preservation.
Need help measuring your event emissions or implementing a reduction strategy? Get in touch.