Sustainable events - Jagged Horizons

Sustainable events deliver on so many levels - good for the planet, incredible for the clients. Banish the notion that green events are all about sacrifices, sustainable events should deliver positive legacies, in addition to client wonderment.

In the mid-2020’s, there are no magic bullets to mitigate the impacts our lifestyles have on our world. Consumption on almost level adds to our burgeoning CO2 crisis - even without consuming imported, out-of-season food, grabbing a take-away coffee on the morning commute or taking a half-term escape – we all have a carbon footprint and things need to change.

Travel contributes to the destruction of the beautiful world we yearn to visit - it really is the inconvenient truth.

Yet the events industry is changing – on both the demand and supply side. The event product of tomorrow will be culturally authentic, with a significantly lower carbon footprint, whilst delivering enhanced satisfaction. Flying groups to Saudi Arabia to exist in a sterile, air-conditioned bubble is something that will be increasingly hard to justify.

Whilst we can't yet live a carbon-free life, we can make credible changes to our consumption which will help the planet heal. Electrify the transport, replace a scenic flight with a morning of coasteering and stay in hotels powered by renewable energy and we are making credible cuts to the environmental impacts of our events.

Dine on local produce and immerse in the destination culture and the host region has a demand-led stimulus to grow its sustainable product further.

None of this behaviour dilutes the quality of the product – far from it, these experiences are as magical as they are beneficial. Sustainable corporate events are more justifiable and easier to enjoy. Sustainable events are the present and the future.

3 PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is far more than green behaviour, sustainability is also concerned with social and economic factors. How are women represented in the enterprises? Are supply chains founded locally, with profits driving local economies? There are 3 main pillars of sustainable development - environmental, social and economic.

These 3 pillars of sustainable development contain multiple goals, classified within the 17 United Nations development goals, all are intended to drive change within event destinations and the associated supply chains. More information on these topics can be found below.

environmental

How event behaviour affects the natural world. Carbon footprints, eco-system damage, water use, and waste management are some factors impacting an event's environmental sustainability.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

social

How are women and minorities represented in the enterprises tasked with delivering an event? This is a key issue in determining the social sustainability of an event. Working with enterprises that include these groups ensures that event expenditure has a meaningful impact and legacy.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

economic

How local are the supply chains? If suppliers are sourcing their products and services locally, the event destination feels the full impact of the event expenditure. This helps build and sustain local economies and employment opportunities.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

3 PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR EVENT SUSTAINABILITY

Many factors affect the green or sustainable credentials of a corporate event. How do you travel to and around the event destination? How green is the destination and the accommodation? How green are the activities that you do whilst there? More detailed information can be found below.

Getting there, staying and choosing things to do need not be compromised in pursuit of sustainability. On the contrary, sustainable considerations can dramatically enhance the client experience, and at the same time protect the planet and enhance the local economy & social fabric.

travel

Getting to and around a corporate event significantly impacts the carbon footprint of the entire event. Arrival by train into the heart of the destination, moving by public transport or electric buses and exploring local areas on foot. These are the simple choices that make a positive impact.

SUSTAINABLE EVENT TRAVEL

Chairs in front of a window in an eco-lodge hotel

accommodation

Hotels are making great strides toward sustainability. Rewards for not requiring single-use washing of towels, gender equality and food waste management are areas where hotels are taking meaningful action.

SUSTAINABLE EVENT HOTELS

activities

Discover new activities through sustainable choices. Ride the winds on a sand yacht, use gravity to descend pristine waterfalls, and explore city centres on walking tours. All green and all great!

SUSTAINABLE DINING & ACTIVITIES

SUSTAINABLE GREEN EVENT MANAGEMENT

SAVING THE PLACES WE LONG TO VISIT