Sustainable events take into account the environmental, social and economic impact that events can generate over time. For an event to be sustainable, it must follow a series of sustainability principles based on three pillars: environmental, social and economic.
To this end, a series of measures can be taken to make these event more sustainable, such as the selection of sustainable products, waste management, energy efficiency or the use of sustainable transportation.
Sustainable events are those that take into account the environmental, social and economic impact that can be generated throughout their life cycle. This involves the selection of the event site, planning, execution and evaluation up to the final destination of the waste generated.
In this article we will talk about examples and success stories of sustainable events and the certificates that exist and are taken into account for this type of events.
A sustainable event must be planned and executed following the principles of sustainability, which are based on three main pillars: environmental, social and economic. For the event to be sustainable, it must take into account a series of aspects:
It is important to select a venue that is well connected to public transport and has infrastructures and services that minimize the environmental impacts of the event, such as waste management, energy and water consumption, etc.
The planning and design of the event must take into account environmental and social aspects, such as waste reduction, responsible energy and water consumption, inclusion and diversity.
It is important to communicate the sustainable measures that have been carried out throughout the event so that attendees know and value the importance of this practice.
Once the event is over, we must evaluate the impacts and results obtained in order to identify opportunities for improvement and continue advancing in sustainability.
There are different measures that can be implemented to make the event more sustainable:
It is important to choose suppliers and products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. A good example is recycled, biodegradable or reusable products.
Separation and recycling of waste generated during the event should be promoted, in addition to reducing unnecessary packaging.
The efficient use of energy should be promoted. The use of LED lighting, regulation of air conditioning devices or turning off equipment when not in use can help in this practice.
The use of public transportation, bicycles or carpooling should be encouraged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It is important to communicate to our attendees which sustainable measures have been implemented at the event and to promote awareness and environmental education.
Currently there are different types of certifications and recognitions that accredit sustainability in events. These certificates are a way of recognizing and highlighting those events that have met a series of sustainability criteria and have implemented certain measures to reduce their environmental and social impact. Some of the most recognized certificates worldwide are:
This is an international standard that establishes a series of requirements for a sustainable event management system. This standard focuses mainly on the planning, design and execution of events that are sustainable, respecting the environment, the economy and society. This can be applied to any type of event.
This is an international certificate that focuses on the sustainability of festivals and live music events. This evaluates different aspects of sustainability, such as waste management, use of renewable energy, promotion of sustainable transport and social inclusion.
This certificate is awarded by a global organization that promotes sustainability in the events industry. It evaluates different aspects of sustainability, such as waste management, the use of renewable energies or the promotion of sustainable transportation.
It is a certification system for green buildings but can also be applied to events. It evaluates different aspects of sustainability such as design, building construction, use of renewable energy and promotion of sustainable transportation and social inclusion.
This certification focuses on sustainability in the tourism and events industry. It evaluates different aspects of sustainability such as waste management or the use of renewable energies, among others.
These certificates are a very important tool to demonstrate an event organization's commitment to sustainability.
This festival has implemented sustainable measures such as the use of renewable energy, the promotion of sustainable transportation, proper waste management and the use of sustainable materials and products. It has also obtained the A Greener Festival sustainability certificate.
The London 2012 Olympic Games were considered the most sustainable in history, due to the measures implemented to reduce their environmental impact, such as the use of renewable energy, proper waste management and the promotion of sustainable transport.
This congress implemented sustainable measures such as the use of renewable energy, the promotion of sustainable transportation and proper waste management. It has also obtained ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management.