How can you measure and report the environmental impact of your event?

1 Define your scope

The first step is to define the scope of your environmental impact assessment. This means deciding what aspects of your event you want to measure, such as energy consumption, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, waste production, transportation, catering, materials, and so on. You also need to define the boundaries of your assessment, such as the duration of your event, the location of your event, the activities of your attendees, the suppliers of your event, and so on. By defining your scope, you can focus on the most relevant and significant impacts of your event.

2 Choose your indicators

The next step is to choose the indicators that will help you measure your environmental impact. Indicators are quantitative or qualitative measures that reflect the performance of your event in relation to your environmental goals. For example, you can use indicators such as kilowatt-hours of electricity, liters of water, kilograms of CO2, tons of waste, kilometers of travel, or number of local suppliers. You can also use indicators that compare your impact to a baseline, such as the average impact of similar events, or your own previous events. By choosing your indicators, you can establish a clear and consistent method for measuring your impact.

3 Collect your data

The third step is to collect the data that will feed into your indicators. Data collection can be done in various ways, such as using meters, sensors, invoices, receipts, surveys, interviews, observations, or estimations. You can collect data before, during, and after your event, depending on the type and availability of data. You can also use existing data sources, such as industry benchmarks, emission factors, or online calculators. By collecting your data, you can generate reliable and accurate information about your impact.

4 Analyze your results

The fourth step is to analyze the results of your data collection. Analysis can be done using simple calculations, spreadsheets, software tools, or external consultants. The aim of analysis is to convert your data into meaningful and actionable insights about your impact. For example, you can calculate the total and per-attendee impact of your event, compare your impact to your targets or benchmarks, identify the main sources and drivers of your impact, or evaluate the effectiveness of your mitigation measures. By analyzing your results, you can understand the strengths and weaknesses of your event.

5 Report your findings

The fifth step is to report your findings to your stakeholders. Stakeholders are the people or groups that have an interest or influence in your event, such as attendees, sponsors, partners, media, regulators, or the public. Reporting can be done in various formats, such as reports, presentations, infographics, videos, or websites. The aim of reporting is to communicate your impact in a transparent and credible way, highlighting your achievements, challenges, and opportunities. By reporting your findings, you can showcase your sustainability efforts and engage your stakeholders.

6 Improve your practices

The sixth and final step is to improve your practices based on your findings. Improvement can be done by setting new or revised goals, implementing new or enhanced measures, monitoring and evaluating your progress, or seeking feedback and collaboration. The aim of improvement is to reduce your environmental impact and increase your positive contribution to the environment. By improving your practices, you can demonstrate your commitment and leadership in sustainability and create more value for your event.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?