How can you apply sustainability standards to your live events?

1 Assess your impact

Before you start planning your live event, you need to understand your current impact and identify your sustainability goals and priorities. You can use a tool like the Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS), which is based on the ISO 20121 standard, to conduct a sustainability assessment of your event. This will help you measure and evaluate your performance across different aspects, such as energy, waste, water, transport, procurement, accessibility, diversity, and social responsibility. You can also use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework to report on your sustainability outcomes and communicate them to your stakeholders.

2 Choose your venue wisely

One of the most important decisions you will make for your live event is the venue. The venue can have a huge influence on your sustainability performance, as it affects your energy consumption, waste generation, carbon footprint, and accessibility. You should look for a venue that has a sustainability policy and certification, such as LEED, BREEAM, or Green Key. You should also consider the location and accessibility of the venue, and how it will affect the travel and transport of your attendees, speakers, and staff. You can encourage low-carbon modes of transport, such as public transport, cycling, or walking, by providing information, incentives, and facilities. You can also offer virtual or hybrid options for those who cannot attend in person.

3 Design your event with sustainability in mind

The way you design and deliver your live event can also make a big difference in your sustainability performance. You should aim to reduce your resource consumption and waste production, by using renewable energy sources, energy-efficient equipment, reusable or recyclable materials, and digital or paperless solutions. You should also consider the environmental and social impact of your procurement choices, and opt for local, organic, fair-trade, or certified products and services. You should also ensure that your event is inclusive and accessible for all, by following the principles of universal design, providing diverse and relevant content, and engaging with your local community and stakeholders.

4 Monitor and improve your performance

Finally, you should monitor and evaluate your sustainability performance throughout your live event, and use the feedback and data to improve your practices and outcomes. You can use tools like the Event Carbon Calculator to estimate and offset your carbon emissions, or the Event Sustainability Scorecard to track and benchmark your progress. You should also collect feedback from your attendees, speakers, staff, suppliers, and partners, and use it to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and to plan for future improvements. You should also celebrate and share your achievements, and inspire others to follow your example.

5 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?