Sustainable events deliver on so many levels.
Good for the planet, incredible for the clients.
In the early 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. But 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 we won't be doing now or in the future.
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.
WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE EVENT?
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable events are the current #1 topic in the events industry, with every destination and supplier seemingly desperate to be a part of the movement, whether credibly sustainable or not. Fortunately, the UN have codified the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which it concludes can lead to the protection and sustainment of the beautiful and fragile regions which we long to experience.
An exhaustive list of the UN goals can be found below, but generally, the goals represent a mix of social, economic and environmental standards, which require protection and enhancement, with destinations and its suppliers responsible for policies to meet these goals.
National sustainability accreditation
The UN has created the sustainability framework, but it is regional and national bodies who are responsible for the accreditation of destinations and suppliers. Confusingly these accrediting agencies don’t cross borders and offer a range of sustainability ‘badges’ for suppliers.
Some of the most reputable regulation in Europe operates in the Scandinavian countries, whose populations have long had an innate, cultural attachment to sustainability. We use these accreditations to validate the sustainability credentials of suppliers. The process of sustainability accreditation is a highly involved process and standards are continually revised and enhanced to ensure that suppliers are constantly improving the sustainability of their product.
HOW DO I PLAN A SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE EVENT?
Choose Jagged Horizons
- We plan sustainable events in destinations that are nationally accredited for their sustainability, where you can arrive by train or stay, consuming only renewable power.
- We work with large corporations & SME’s who are increasingly demanding genuinely sustainable event solutions.
- We are truly passionate about the natural beauty and cultural significance of our event destinations and work to enhance them.
What we offer?
- We organise team building, incentive & reward and meetings & seminars events in the most sustainable locations available.
- We don’t greenwash, human activity has a price, we are aware of this, and we strive to increase the sustainability of our events.
- Sustainable activities including canyoning, coasteering, tobogganing, e-biking, surfing, ski touring, snowshoeing and many more are possible.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL BY TRAIN
Often considered the poor relation to air travel, travelling by train is not only more sustainable, it is often, by some margin, more practical. Eurostar trains out of central London naturally reach Paris, but heading east, they reach some fantastic event destinations in Belgium and the Netherlands. The chance to go green and avoid a flight doesn't exist for all locations, but these northern European destinations are must-visit places - best seen by train.
The thought of leaving central London to get to an airport a couple of hours before departure, to navigate the crowds and security, to taxi, fly and land outside a destination and then require another transfer to the destination is truly baffling – the train is often point to point. Better still, the train carriages can be privatized for groups with activities provided during the journey.
SUSTAINABLE DESTINATIONS RUN ON RENEWABLE POWER
With all the renewable energy targets been published right now, it is easy to forget that there are destinations that already hum to the rhythm of renewably sourced electrons. Norway is a country that has now practically achieved 100% electricity generation from renewable sources - it's next goal is to tap its further resources for export. This clean power is being put to practical use with the highest per capita ownership of fully electric cars in the world, whilst public buses swish past, powered by battery.
There are destinations that are also pushing the boundaries of local renewable power. Laax ski resort in Switzerland is powered by renewable electricity through regional schemes but it is developing its own local power additionally, with buildings wrapped in PV panels, local hydroelectric schemes, and wind power plants. The more than can be generated locally, the more there is remaining to power the rest of Switzerland and its neighbours.
SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE EVENT ACTIVITIES
What we do in a destination is a key factor in the sustainability equation. Arriving by sustainable means, in a destination run on renewable power, only to thunder around on quad bikes undoes much of the progress. Painting classes or tree planting aren’t necessary to be sustainable – there are some fantastic activities that use no fossil fuel to drive the excitement.
Coasteering is one of the great coastal activities, and it involves leaping, swimming, and climbing. So long as any sensitive aquatic nature is undisturbed, then this thrilling activity leaves no trace, just an indelible appreciation of the beauty of coastal ecosystems. Skiing can reach new heights when accessed on touring skis and canyoning is pure adrenalin, navigating down dramatic water courses.
Organise a sustainable corporate event with us.
Email or call us on +44 (0) 20 8123 7817.
Provide a little information as to your trip / event needs and we can begin to develop some initial ideas for you.