What exactly are sustainable events?

Twenty years ago, a sustainable event meant reducing paper and plastic use—a good start, but just the beginning. Today, we can calculate the carbon footprint of each aspect of event organisation and find ways to reduce or even neutralise it. This represents only the environmental aspect. A sustainable event is planned, organised, and executed considering environmental, social, and economic impacts, and it employs practices that support sustainability and responsibility towards the environment and society. Essentially, a sustainable event leaves no negative impact, or it offsets it through other actions.

How to plan sustainable events? What makes our event sustainable?

Sustainability involves multiple aspects, and to claim that our event is sustainable, we must meet numerous requirements.

Mobility

Transport, including arriving at and moving around the destination, has the largest environmental impact. Mobility refers to the movement of people, goods, or information, encompassing various forms of transport such as cars, buses, trains, bicycles, walking, or even virtual transfers via the internet.

The connection between mobility and sustainability is crucial, as traditional transport methods, like individual car use or outdated industrial processes, can harm the environment and society. Promoting sustainable mobility involves encouraging public transport, cycling, walking, developing alternative fuels and technologies in the automotive industry, and planning pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly cities.

Location

Choosing a location that supports sustainability can significantly impact your event. Prefer venues that are certified as environmentally friendly or have sustainable practices in waste management, energy, and water usage.

Smart energy management

Use energy-efficient equipment, such as LED lighting and low-energy devices. Encourage participants to use public transport, bicycles, electric bikes, or scooters, but ideally, ensure that the event locations are close enough to eliminate the need for transport or that public transport is nearby and easily accessible.

Catering

Sustainable catering involves selecting food produced in ways that minimise environmental impact. This includes using seasonal, locally produced ingredients to reduce transportation impact, and preferring organic and environmentally certified products. A sustainable approach also includes waste reduction through biodegradable packaging, reuse and recycling of materials, and donating uneaten food to organisations that help those in need (which, unfortunately, is not possible in Croatia).

Waste reduction and responsible management

Promote waste reduction at the event by using recycled or biodegradable materials. Minimise or eliminate all forms of printed materials and plastic, including participant gifts, which can be replaced with eco-friendly and sustainable everyday items. Replace printed materials with digital ones, and use natural materials for decorations. Provide waste separation points and educate participants on proper disposal.

Use of local resources

Support local producers and suppliers of food, drinks, and other necessities, as well as local performers, to reduce emissions associated with transport and support the local economy.

Impact measurement and evaluation

After the event, assess its environmental impact to identify areas for improvement and set goals for future events.

Overall, sustainability in event organisation is not just a moral obligation but a key factor for success in a world that increasingly values environmental conservation and social responsibility. Integrating sustainable practices into event planning can have a wide range of positive effects on the environment, the organisation, and society as a whole.

Sustainability in event organisation requires commitment and collaboration from all participants and can result in a positive impact on the environment and community, as well as creating long-term value for the organisation.

Education and engagement

Sustainable events provide an opportunity to educate participants on sustainability issues and encourage their active involvement in addressing these challenges. This can include workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions on sustainable practices, and other forms of education and engagement.

What exactly are sustainable events?

Twenty years ago, a sustainable event meant reducing paper and plastic use—a good start, but just the beginning. Today, we can calculate the carbon footprint of each aspect of event organisation and find ways to reduce or even neutralise it. This represents only the environmental aspect. A sustainable event is planned, organised, and executed considering environmental, social, and economic impacts, and it employs practices that support sustainability and responsibility towards the environment and society. Essentially, a sustainable event leaves no negative impact, or it offsets it through other actions.

How to plan sustainable events? What makes our event sustainable?

Sustainability involves multiple aspects, and to claim that our event is sustainable, we must meet numerous requirements.

Mobility

Transport, including arriving at and moving around the destination, has the largest environmental impact. Mobility refers to the movement of people, goods, or information, encompassing various forms of transport such as cars, buses, trains, bicycles, walking, or even virtual transfers via the internet.

The connection between mobility and sustainability is crucial, as traditional transport methods, like individual car use or outdated industrial processes, can harm the environment and society. Promoting sustainable mobility involves encouraging public transport, cycling, walking, developing alternative fuels and technologies in the automotive industry, and planning pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly cities.

Location

Choosing a location that supports sustainability can significantly impact your event. Prefer venues that are certified as environmentally friendly or have sustainable practices in waste management, energy, and water usage.

Smart energy management

Use energy-efficient equipment, such as LED lighting and low-energy devices. Encourage participants to use public transport, bicycles, electric bikes, or scooters, but ideally, ensure that the event locations are close enough to eliminate the need for transport or that public transport is nearby and easily accessible.

Catering

Sustainable catering involves selecting food produced in ways that minimise environmental impact. This includes using seasonal, locally produced ingredients to reduce transportation impact, and preferring organic and environmentally certified products. A sustainable approach also includes waste reduction through biodegradable packaging, reuse and recycling of materials, and donating uneaten food to organisations that help those in need (which, unfortunately, is not possible in Croatia).

Waste reduction and responsible management

Promote waste reduction at the event by using recycled or biodegradable materials. Minimise or eliminate all forms of printed materials and plastic, including participant gifts, which can be replaced with eco-friendly and sustainable everyday items. Replace printed materials with digital ones, and use natural materials for decorations. Provide waste separation points and educate participants on proper disposal.

Use of local resources

Support local producers and suppliers of food, drinks, and other necessities, as well as local performers, to reduce emissions associated with transport and support the local economy.

Impact measurement and evaluation

After the event, assess its environmental impact to identify areas for improvement and set goals for future events.

Overall, sustainability in event organisation is not just a moral obligation but a key factor for success in a world that increasingly values environmental conservation and social responsibility. Integrating sustainable practices into event planning can have a wide range of positive effects on the environment, the organisation, and society as a whole.

Sustainability in event organisation requires commitment and collaboration from all participants and can result in a positive impact on the environment and community, as well as creating long-term value for the organisation.

Education and engagement

Sustainable events provide an opportunity to educate participants on sustainability issues and encourage their active involvement in addressing these challenges. This can include workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions on sustainable practices, and other forms of education and engagement.