The events industry—including exhibitions, conferences, festivals, and corporate events—has a significant environmental footprint. From venue energy use and travel emissions to single-use materials and supply chain logistics, sustainability challenges are vast. However, by creating a more sustainable supply chain, event organisers, suppliers, and venues can reduce emissions, minimise waste, and improve efficiency while meeting growing sustainability expectations from attendees, clients, and regulators. Here’s how:
1. Assess Your Event’s Carbon Footprint
The first step is to measure your supply chain’s environmental impact. Use a carbon calculator like the Green Circle Solutions Event Calculator to track emissions from key areas, such as transport, catering, production, and waste management. Identifying where the biggest emissions come from allows for targeted reductions.
2. Source Sustainable Suppliers
- Work with eco-friendly vendors that prioritise sustainable materials and ethical sourcing.
- Choose local suppliers to reduce transport-related emissions and support the local economy.
- Look for certifications such as ISO 14001 (environmental management), Fair Trade, and Green Tourism to ensure suppliers meet sustainability standards.
3. Reduce Travel & Transport Emissions
The largest contributor to an event’s carbon footprint is often travel and logistics. You can track by using the Green Circle Solutions Visitor Travel Calculator and then start to reduce impact by:
- Partnering with venues near public transport links to encourage sustainable travel.
- Consolidating shipments to minimise deliveries.
- Encouraging exhibitors and suppliers to use low-emission transport options, such as electric vehicles or trains instead of planes.
4. Minimise Waste & Single-Use Materials
Events are notorious for excess waste, particularly single-use plastics, printed materials, and disposable catering items. To tackle this:
- Opt for digital ticketing, schedules, and event programmes instead of printed materials.
- Use recyclable or compostable food packaging for catering.
- Offer water refill stations to eliminate plastic bottle waste.
- Implement waste separation stations at events to ensure high recycling rates.
5. Choose Energy-Efficient Venues & Suppliers
- Select venues powered by renewable energy.
- Work with AV and production companies that use low-energy LED lighting and efficient sound systems.
- Source sustainable stage and stand materials, such as reusable, modular, or recyclable structures instead of single-use setups.
By taking proactive steps and leveraging carbon tracking solutions like those from Green Circle Solutions, the events industry can significantly reduce its environmental impact, meet sustainability targets, and set an example for future green events.