CHICAGO — RX released its Sustainability Roadmap, detailing the company’s path to reach net zero no later than 2040.
As a founding member of the events industry’s Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, which was launched in 2021, RX prioritizes and champions sustainability. Since 2018, it has successfully seen a 45% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 location-based emissions.
RX’s Sustainability Roadmap was guided by the Net Zero Carbon Events Roadmap that was published in 2022, which provides common frameworks for the different players in the events industry.
“The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative focuses on the emissions associated with the complete life cycle of events from the energy used, to the production of stands, signage, carpet, food and associated waste, logistics and travel,” stated RX CEO Hugh Jones in the Roadmap. “While our immediate challenge is to measure these emissions, our roadmap sets out the milestones we are putting in place to ensure we reduce our emissions to net zero no later than 2040.”
RX’s Roadmap outlines five action areas where the company sees the most potential for meaningful impact:
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- Energy: power events efficiently, with clean, renewable energy
- Production and Waste: redesign events to utilize sustainable materials and be waste free
- Food and Food Waste: source food sustainably and end food waste
- Freight and Logistics: move goods and equipment efficiently and transition to zero emissions logistics
- Travel: work with and influence partners in the travel sector to reduce and mitigate the emissions of travel
It also outlines the current short-term (2025), medium-term (2030) and long-term (2040) goals of the company. In the short-term, RX hopes to establish consistent and regular reporting, establish energy reduction tracking, set waste reduction targets for each business unit, have 50% of RX food for events be vegetarian and/or vegan, engage with logistic suppliers and venues to reduce emissions associated with transporting show materials and pilot opportunities for visitors to offset travel at the point of registration.
“I’m motivated by knowing that we are going to have lasting, positive change for our industry and planet. Every day I am inspired by the people I work with — the engagement, the creativity, the adaptability, the innovation. Working together, I am super excited about the impact we will have,” stated Helen Sheppard, Global Sustainability Director of RX, in the Roadmap.
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The Roadmap also highlights some of RX’s sustainability efforts, including the National Hardware Show’s initiatives to reduce carpet and decrease the need for printed materials by creating a digital directory and using smart badge technology. Batimat’s stand policy, which is limited to five eco-friendly options and sets stand-size limitations, and its logistical plan to promote train and bus transportation was also highlighted. Functional Fabric Fair is used as an example of industry engagement, with exhibitors only being considered if they are working toward, or have already achieved, at least 50% of their materials being from a recycled source.
As part of its commitment to sustainability efforts, RX established a Global Sustainability Council in 2022, comprised of representatives from the company’s hubs that meet once a month to support RX’s strategy. So far, RX’s achievements include the completion of carbon footprints of 10 of its events to better understand the full picture of emissions categories, development of a production material library and the launch of the RX Sustainability playbook to all employees.
“The goal of RX events will always be to help businesses build their businesses,” Jones stated. “Our events bring everyone together at one time, providing amazing efficiencies. Where else do you get that kind of opportunity?”
