Sustainable Event Certification: An explanation of the concept

Sustainable event certification is a formal recognition that an event has been

planned and executed in a manner that meets specific sustainability criteria.

Certifications provide a framework for achieving and demonstrating sustainable practices, ensuring that events minimize their environmental footprint and maximize their social and economic benefits.

Popular Sustainable Event Certification Programs

ISO 20121: This international standard for sustainable event management helps organizations improve sustainability throughout the event lifecycle. It focuses on reducing environmental impacts, supporting social inclusivity, and achieving economic efficiency.

Apex/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards: Developed by the Events Industry Council, these standards provide guidelines for sustainable event planning and implementation, covering various aspects such as accommodations, audio-visual services, communication, transportation, and food and beverage.

Green Key Events: This certification focuses on environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the events industry. It covers areas like energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and corporate social responsibility.

BREEAM: Although primarily used for assessing buildings, BREEAM can be adapted to evaluate the sustainability of event venues, ensuring they meet high environmental performance standards.

Steps to Achieving Sustainable Event Certification

Assess Current Practices: Conduct a sustainability audit of your current event planning practices to identify areas for improvement.

Set Clear Objectives: Define specific, measurable goals aligned with the chosen certification standards.

Develop an Action Plan: Create a detailed plan outlining the steps needed to achieve your sustainability objectives. This should include timelines, responsibilities, and resources required.

Implement Sustainable Practices: Integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of event planning and execution, such as using renewable energy, reducing waste, and sourcing locally.

Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented practices. Adjust strategies as needed to meet certification criteria.

Documentation and Reporting: Maintain thorough documentation of all sustainability efforts and their outcomes. This will be necessary for the certification process and can also be used to communicate achievements to stakeholders.

Apply for Certification: Submit the required documentation and evidence to the certification body. Undergo the necessary evaluations and audits to achieve certification.

Benefits of Sustainable Event Certification

Credibility and Trust: Certification provides formal recognition of your commitment to sustainability, enhancing your credibility and building trust with stakeholders.

Benchmarking and Improvement: Certification standards provide benchmarks for sustainability, helping you continuously improve your practices.

Market Differentiation: Being certified sets you apart from competitors and can attract environmentally conscious participants and sponsors.

Cost Savings: Sustainable practices often lead to cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization.

Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability enhances your school's reputation and can lead to increased support and engagement from the community.

Sources: https://www.iso.org/standard/86389.html

https://insights.eventscouncil.org/Sustainability/Sustainability-Events-Standards

https://greenkeyglobal.com/

https://breeam.com/

video: Standards in 10 Minutes | ISO 20121 Sustainable event management