Sustainability. Is it just an academic term or is there evidence that it is a grassroots initiative spreading across the global event industry, providing a chance for you to make a difference?
Over the last 10 years sustainability has become an issue of increasing importance to our industry.
Yet confusion still exists on exactly what it means and the ‘correct’ way to implement it. Global grass roots initiatives are moving the conversation on sustainability from one of academic terms, definitions and standards to one of individual action that results in a positive environmental, social and economic impact.
By grassroots I mean initiatives being created, launched, and driven in a fully inclusive way by the global event industry. They all translate the terms, definitions and standards into practical, successful action and provide an opportunity for cross industry collaboration. If sustainability is of interest to you, then these are the initiatives you should get involved in because they will give you the chance to make a difference.
Share a Positive Impact is a campaign for those interested in best practice sustainability initiatives in the event industry. A combination of Pinterest and Facebook set to launch globally in Spring 2014 with a target of generating 16,000 collaborators in its first year, this could be the ideal way for you to learn what is happening around the world and what your event attendees want to see. The initiative has been financially supported by SITE and the CIC.
The Sustainable Events Summit launched in London in 2013 to more than 200 corporate planners and agency planners. Now in its second year the summit, taking place on 18 February, combines panel sessions of corporate leaders with practical sessions on how to measure, report and implement ISO 20121.
Positive Impact Groups were set up to gather people from sport, business and cultural events at least once a year to decide what support they needed to create a sustainable event industry. In 2014 there are plans for Positive Impact groups to launch in the different countries so global collaboration can move forward the vision of a sustainable event industry.
As we learn more about our impact, we are likely to see an increase in targets set to manage our behaviour. Every event will deal with different issues and achieve different targets. The companies WWF and Bioregional have made an effort to identify 10 guiding principles for ‘one planet’ living including case studies to help you understand how each principle is relevant for you.
Understanding what it takes
Education is vital in our ongoing journey to creating a sustainable event industry. Positive Impact provides a number of online courses, guides and mentoring where you have the chance to ask questions and be updated on the latest trends.
As our industry’s understanding of sustainability increases, so will our ability to collaborate and create change initiatives that result in positive economic, environmental and social results. Positive Impact works to collaborate with industry associations such as UFI, to make this change as easy and impactful as possible for every member of the event industry.
In the last few years the number of our collaborative partners and community members has greatly increased – this can only mean that the grassroots demand for change is growing. Whether you think sustainability is an academic term or a call to practical action – it is definitely the chance for you to make a difference.
This was first published in issue 1/2014 of EW. Any comments? Email Annie Byrne
