The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) discussed the challenges and opportunities in integrating sustainability into large-scale events during a session at the recent ICCA Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
Caroline Cardona, convenings manager at IUCN, related how the organisation is working towards net-zero across its annual and quadrennial events. Its annual three-day forum sees about 400 to 500 attendees each time, while the quadrennial World Conservation Congress welcomes around 6,000 to 10,000 pax per event.
At this year’s forum in Geneva, IUCN managed to serve 100 per cent vegetarian food in reusable serving ware, source 75 per cent of its food within a 160km radius, bring carbon offsetting credits; as well as provide water stations at the venue.
“Vegetarian meals can be as expensive as red meat, but it actually creates an impact, which our delegates really appreciated (according to feedback we received),” said Cardona. She explained that these achievements were the result of a gradual process, built upon lessons learnt, and improvements made upon last year’s annual forum which was also held in Geneva.
Another way for large-scale events to reach net-zero is to go hybrid, since a bulk of carbon emissions comes from travelling to the event, suggested Cardona.
Milda Salciute, director of events and academy at GDS-Movement, which consults for organisations and events wanting to improve their sustainability practices, highlighted the importance of a systematic approach.
“It’s not just about implementing a few green initiatives. We need to define what success means for the organisation and help to create a clear roadmap,” said Salciute.
For sustainability to work, Salciute pointed out that it is important to find the “right balance”, and ensure that such efforts do not compromise the overall experience for attendees.
