The path to greener events

The events industry is becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and climate impact of events. Energy consumption, waste production and emissions caused by travelling to and from events are just some of the aspects that come into play. So how can we create great events and protect the environment at the same time? The answer seems obvious: green events!

Between awareness and implementation

Although more and more event organisers are aware of the problem, the implementation of sustainable events often remains wishful thinking. Unfortunately, making green events a reality is not an easy task. Sustainability must not be seen as an isolated measure, but as a fundamental principle to be incorporated into the entire event planning process, from the conception stage onwards, in order to bring about long-term change. A trend study conducted in Switzerland in 2022 shows that although 65% of event companies are already taking sustainability measures, 35% of those surveyed have not yet taken any concrete steps.

Events biggest CO2 sources

The path to greener events starts with guest transport. The majority of CO2 emissions are caused by the vehicles used by delegates to travel to and from the venue. An effective way to reduce this environmental impact is to choose a centrally located venue that is easily accessible by public transport. Choosing venues that are powered by green energy, such as the LEED Platinum-certified The Circle Convention Centre at Zurich Airport, is also an important step towards sustainable events. In addition, shuttle transport operated by electric or gas-powered vehicles helps to reduce emissions.  

Another area of environmental impact is catering. As tempting as it is to treat guests to their favourite meal, do you really need to throw a steak on the grill every time? Choosing vegetarian or vegan dishes that are produced by local companies, the ecological footprint is significantly reduced. The decision in favour of food that do not require constant refrigeration and avoiding disposable tableware also contributes to sustainability. Caterers such as ETH Zurich’s Tastelab are redefining sustainability with their meat-free approach. Their plant-based and regional menus reduce energy consumption by up to 15%, saving around 50 kilowatt hours per event. The carbon footprint is also reduced by an average of 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per event. Their innovative concept combines environmental awareness with enjoyment and shows that sustainable catering is not only good for the environment. At this year’s Annual Meeting in Davos, they demonstrated this impressively in the well-attended AI House. 

Also at the Annual Meeting in Davos, most of the energy-inefficient tents are continuously replaced by us with energy-efficient modular wooden structures from the region (Quadrin.swiss). The individual modules of these structures are used at various regional events throughout the year. These measures make a significant contribution to reducing the environmental impact and show that sustainable solutions are possible in all areas of an event. 

Rocking the future with Cradle–to–Cradle

Albin Kälin, one of the pioneers of the Cradle-to-Cradle philosophy, advocates designing products and materials to be fully recyclable or safely biodegradable. This principle can be applied to the events industry. Events can be designed in such a way that all materials enter a new life cycle after the event or can degrade naturally without harming the environment. The use of rented furniture is a first step in the right direction. Another aspect is the sustainable use of plants and trees in event staging. Instead of treating them as disposable products, they should be sourced from sustainable tree nurseries. This way the plants can be replanted or reused after the event.  

Another example is the Next-Generations.ch project, an active Swiss network project platform that aims to develop and implement sustainable business models, products and events. Through partnerships such as with Albin Kälin and Next-Generations.ch, we strive to work with our clients to create events that are not only environmentally sustainable, but also socially responsible and therefore have a positive impact on future generations. 

Inclusion and community strength

Sustainability has many dimensions, and in the events industry, it is not just about environmental issues, but also social ones. Fair working conditions are a must, as is the inclusion of disadvantaged groups. Partnerships with organisations such as Inclusive Events, which involve people of all backgrounds and abilities in the organisation of events, are one example. Such initiatives promote social inclusion and a sense of community. Another step towards sustainable event organisation is the active involvement of participants in environmental campaigns. Planting trees together or organising fundraising activities instead of material gifts can support the sustainability of an event and have a positive, long-term impact on the environment and the local community. 

Walking the sustainable path

Even though sustainability in the events industry is still challenging and far from being the norm, we are already taking steps in the right direction. The realisation of green events is demanding and often seems almost utopian, but our belief is that change is possible. By taking a holistic approach and looking to the future, we can make the events industry even more sustainable and continue to create even more memorable experiences for our clients.