Careful organisation, attention to detail, respect for the environment and for people, and an ability to raise awareness are therequirements for an event that aims to be considered sustainable.
sustainability Leads the WayThe last year has seen an enormous proliferation of events: there are more and more opportunities for networking, meeting clients, visiting fairs and attending conferences. Growth seems on track for a return to pre-Covid numbers, bolstered by the new trend for “onlife” events, the hybrid form that we’ve been seeing more of lately. In this context, which seems to demonstrate the desire for a fresh start, there are ever-growing numbers of events categorised as sustainable, i.e. with a lower environmental impact. One example was the Coldplay concert, as are sporting events like the RCS Milano Marathon and the European Championships in Munich, or cultural events like TedXMestre.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
Mahatma Gandhi
But what does it mean to hold a sustainable event? According to Daniele De Negri, CEO of Green Media Lab and organiser of the Emoving Days and Outdoor & Running Business Days, “Organising a sustainable event means taking on the responsibility of its environmental impact, calculating, minimising and offsetting emissions of climate-altering gases. But that’s not all. Events have to become more of a platform for multi-stakeholder exchanges and awareness-raising, to shine a light on the issues of environmental and social responsibility and to provide the tools needed to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow”.
Innovation Built TogetherIn essence, a sustainable event is simply an activity organised and executed with maximum care and respect for the environment and for people. This means looking at all aspects related to organisation (catering, the energy used during the event, the waste generated, the travelling done by participants and organisers), proposing ideas and solutions to reduce them. Can I encourage people to travel by public transport instead of their own cars? Can I use natural light? Can I reduce the amount of meat on the menu? Are there ways to recycle the materials used for the set-up? Social aspects also have their importance, so it’s necessary to consider the accessibility of the event, the people who work there, and the impact that the event has on the place where it’s held.
Real Change Starts With Each of UsWhat better way could there be to give a practical example of the positive impact every individual can have? For instance, when it comes to food waste from the buffet, by explaining to participants that the food from a certain event will not be wasted but donated to a local charity, it’s possible to provide an example to individuals who find themselves with the same dilemma in their own home. At its heart, sustainability begins with the actions of individuals.
