At the recent beam Members Meeting in Manchester, Sam Cande and Sue Robinson from Greengage delivered a powerful presentation on Sustainability for Events. Here is what came out of it.

We kicked off our presentation with the above striking image: the Warming Stripes, created by climatologist Professor Ed Hawkins. You may have seen them before—those bold bands of colour, shifting from cool blues on the left to deep reds on the right. They’re not just visually powerful—they represent real, measured global temperatures from 1884 to 2024. And those red-hot stripes on the right? That’s where we are now.

2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, likely the hottest in all of human history—1.6°C warmer than the pre-industrial era. This data isn’t guesswork; it’s built from over a billion thermometer readings taken by thousands of people over decades.

And the evidence is now irrefutable: climate change is driven by human activity.

Climate Crisis: Why It Matters to Us

At last year’s COP conference, Al Gore reminded us just how dire things have become: Greenland is now losing 30 million tonnes of ice every hour. In the time it takes to run a one-hour event session, around 15 million tonnes of ice melt into the sea.

We’re already seeing devastating consequences:

• Europe’s deadliest flood disaster in Valencia last year, with over 220 lives lost.
• In the UK, flooding causes £1 billion in damage annually, a number expected to rise.
• By 2050, if global temperatures rise by 4°C, 1.9 million homes in the UK will face serious flood risk.
• Heatwaves, biodiversity loss, coastal erosion, and water shortages are already becoming regular realities.

And it’s not just here. The Institute for Economics and Peace predicts that 1.2 billion people could be displaced by 2050 due to uninhabitable conditions. The global ripple effects will be immense.

So, What About Events?

According to research, the events industry contributes over 10% of global CO2 emissions—a footprint equivalent to the annual emissions of the United States. Let that sink in.

Let’s look at some major examples:

• Paris 2024 Olympics: 1.59 million tonnes CO₂e
• FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: 3.63 million tonnes CO₂e
• Tokyo Olympics 2020: 1.96 million tonnes CO₂e

But this isn’t just about mega-events. It’s about mindset. Who remembers when offices had bins under every desk back up until 2011 and the moment they were taken away and replaced with recycling bins. People were outraged they had to walk 20 steps to recycle! Now? We’d never think twice. Sustainability begins with small, cultural shifts.

We moved on to look at The Triple Bottom Line for Sustainable Events. Sustainable events need to address three key areas:

Environmental Impact

From venue choice to travel, catering to signage—every decision has a carbon cost. The goal is to minimise emissions and waste at every touchpoint.

Societal Impact

Events can be inclusive, empowering spaces—but only if planned thoughtfully. Consider accessibility, diversity, local involvement, and how your event influences communities.

Economic Impact

Events support jobs and businesses—but this shouldn’t come at the expense of ethics or the environment. Let’s ensure our economic impact is positive and responsible.

Why We Must Measure to Manage

Sustainability is about action—not just good intentions. As Peter Drucker said: “What gets measured, gets managed.”

Here’s why measurement matters:

• It creates transparency and accountability.
• It shows clients, sponsors, and attendees that you walk the talk.
• It helps you track your progress over time and make informed decisions.

What to Measure:

• Carbon emissions from travel, energy, and virtual components
• Waste (including food waste and single-use items)
• Water and materials used
• Social impact, like local sourcing and inclusive programming

How to Measure:

At Greengage, we use our proprietary tool EVENTsmart to support clients with:

• Pre-event planning
• Real-time data collection
• Post-event impact reporting

Travel: The Biggest Impact (and Opportunity)

Travel accounts for up to 78% of an event’s footprint. So, venue location is everything.

Choose venues that:

• Are easily accessible by public transport
• Are central to where attendees are travelling from
• Actively support sustainability with green energy, zero-waste policies, or certifications

Hybrid and regional hubs can also significantly reduce long-distance flights.

Accommodation and Food: Small Tweaks, Big Wins

The average UK hotel night emits 10.4kg CO₂e, but sustainable hotels can cut this to 3kg. Use tools like our Greengage ECOmap to find better options.

Food & Beverage makes up around 4% of your event’s footprint. Choosing vegetarian, plant-based, or low-carbon menus can make a real difference.

Red meat has the highest emissions—even swapping to chicken lowers the impact. Source locally and seasonally, and plan to minimise food waste.

Worried about attendee pushback? Be transparent. Explain the why, and bring them on the journey with you.

Practical Tips for a More Sustainable Event

Here are 12 actionable steps:

1. Choose venues with proven sustainability credentials.
2. Prioritise public transport access and central locations.
3. Select plant-based or low-carbon menus.
4. Minimise long-distance travel where possible.
5. Encourage train and coach travel for ground transport.
6. Choose hotels with lower carbon footprints.
7. Eliminate single-use plastics—front and back of house.
8. Use digital signage and agendas instead of printing.
9. Support local suppliers for catering, décor, and gifts.
10. Skip plastic swag—opt for digital, edible, or experiential gifts.
11. Measure the impact of your event and share the data.
12. Partner with local charities or community organisations to give back.

In Conclusion: Events as a Force for Good

The events industry has huge influence—not just in terms of emissions, but in the way it brings people together and shapes collective experiences. With the right mindset, data, and action, we can turn events into a powerful platform for positive change.

Let’s not wait for permission. Let’s lead the way.

If you would like more information on sustainability workshops & training or sustainability consulting please contact sam.cande@greengage.solutions and for ECOsmart enquiries contact sue.robinson@greengage.solutions