How can you incorporate sustainability into your next meeting or event?

1 Choose a green venue

One of the first steps to plan a sustainable meeting or event is to select a venue that has a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Look for venues that have certifications, policies, or practices that reduce their carbon footprint, water and energy consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, you can check if they use renewable energy sources, recycle or compost their waste, provide natural lighting and ventilation, offer green transportation options, or support local communities and charities.

2 Opt for sustainable catering

Another major factor that affects the sustainability of your meeting or event is the food and beverage service. To minimize the environmental and social impact of your catering, you can follow some of these guidelines: choose seasonal, organic, and locally sourced ingredients; avoid single-use plastic and disposable packaging; provide vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based options; reduce food waste by ordering accurate portions, donating leftovers, or composting scraps; and serve fair trade, organic, or rainforest alliance certified coffee and tea.

3 Communicate your sustainability goals

To increase the awareness and participation of your attendees, speakers, sponsors, and stakeholders in your sustainability efforts, you need to communicate your goals and expectations clearly and effectively. You can do this by using various channels and methods, such as: creating a sustainability statement or policy for your meeting or event; sending invitations, agendas, and feedback forms electronically; providing digital badges, tickets, and certificates; using social media, websites, or apps to share information and updates; and displaying signs, banners, or posters that highlight your green initiatives and achievements.

5 Evaluate your impact

The last step to plan a sustainable meeting or event is to measure and evaluate your impact and performance. This can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, improve your future practices, and report your results and outcomes to your stakeholders. You can use various tools and indicators to assess your impact, such as: carbon calculators, water and energy meters, waste audits, attendee surveys, satisfaction ratings, social media analytics, or sustainability reports. You can also compare your results with industry standards, benchmarks, or best practices to gauge your progress and achievements.

6 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?