With sustainability becoming an increasingly urgent concern for events, the Joint Meetings Industry Council has launched a new “Net Zero Carbon Events” initiative to bring the industry into the growing global movement to reach net zero by 2050.
JMIC members that are contributing to the net zero taskforce include UFI, AIPC, and ICCA, and the goal of the initiative is to have a pledge prepared for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in November.
At this event, world leaders will discuss how their countries are working towards a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, and the ultimate goal of net zero by 2050.
The events industry has often been criticized for its GHG emissions, particularly due to its reliance on travel, and it’s crucial that major industry players step up to chart a path to a more sustainable future. A positive side effect of the pandemic has been a decrease in air and other travel, but the world is quickly picking back up where it left off.
The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative will aim develop a framework for the industry to reduce emissions by 2030 and work towards net zero by 2050, as well as establish ways to measure the industry’s total greenhouse emissions and report progress on its goals.
“The events industry has a special role to play in tackling climate change,” said JMIC President James Rees in a statement. “We provide the meeting places and market places to work on solutions to the climate crisis. At the same time, we have a responsibility to minimize our impact on climate change. We are inviting organizations from across the events industry – venues, organizers, exhibitors and suppliers – to join this collaborative effort to drive the events sector towards net zero.”
UFI President Anbu Varathan added: “UFI is committed to driving and supporting sustainable development among our global membership and the exhibition industry at large. This collaborative and inclusive initiative that covers the whole event industry is a new important step and we look forward to identifying the commitments required for the reduction and neutralization of event-related GHG emissions.”