HARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — Climate change and the efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions are a concern to every sector of the economy, and the events industry is no exception. Held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) is the stage upon which Net Zero Carbon Events will unveil its Roadmap.
Net zero means there is a balance between man-made greenhouse gases and their removal from the atmosphere. To achieve this, trade shows and events must reduce their emissions, and emissions that cannot be avoided need to be compensated by long-term carbon capturing solutions.
The launch will be facilitated by the Joint Meetings Industry Council and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and will take place on Nov. 11, which is also Decarbonization Day. The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative has developed well since it began in 2021, as reported by the President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, James Rees, at the recent IMEX America trade show.
While last September the initiative had support from 21 organizations, one year later that number has grown to 409. “Globally, there is an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net-zero emissions,” Rees stated. “The events industry can and should play its part in helping to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement. That’s why the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative was set up.”
The Roadmap will include two versions: an 80-page document featuring comprehensive details on implementation, as well as a 20-page Executive Summary. This information has been produced from multiple rounds of consultation, in addition to a survey component.
Since the inception of the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, 225 operators have signed and committed to publish by the end of 2023 their organization’s plans to attain net zero by 2050. Phase 3 of the campaign will feature eight workstreams to help actualize the Roadmap, and 42 representatives have already registered to participate. “It is open to all organizations involved in events and they can join the initiative at any time,” Rees stated. “Registration is free of charge, but financial contributions are crucial to developing the campaign.”
Platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram are the channels currently used to build awareness and momentum, via a communications campaign with the theme Route to Net Zero Events. Contributors and supporters are encouraged to participate in this campaign by following and sharing posts.
“The initiative has made a strong start and we are building momentum,” Rees stated. “We’d welcome everyone not only to follow us on social media and to take part in the meeting on November 11 but also to sign the Pledge and join us.”
Follow Net Zero Carbon Events and reach the team on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Reach James Rees at +44-20-70694747.
