Why Sustainable Events matter

Gone are the days when sustainability was just a buzzword. Today, for all our sakes, it’s a necessity. This is the case across almost every aspect of our daily lives. The events industry is no exception.

You might think that, when it comes to environmental impact, gathering people together for a conference or an exhibition would be of negligible relevance. This view couldn’t be more wrong, as the statistics clearly show.

Here’s what the numbers tell us –

Carbon Footprint
A single conference can spew up to 1,000 kg of CO2 emissions per attendee, including travel and lodging (Source: PLOS ONE).

Waste Generation
Each conference-goer produces about 1.89 kg of waste per day, with 1.16 kg ending up in landfills (Source: MeetGreen).

Energy Consumption
Large events can guzzle as much energy in days as a small household in a year (Source: Green Meeting Industry Council).

Water Usage
In the U.S., one large event can use up to 100,000 gallons of water in just a day (Source: International Journal of Event and Festival Management).

Food Waste
About one-third of all food at events goes to waste, that’s 9.7 million tonnes a year (Source: WRAP).

Transport Emissions
Air travel for events accounts for a staggering 90% of the overall carbon footprint (Source: Journal of Sustainable Tourism).

Paper Use
A large trade show can devour over 400 tonnes of paper (Source: UFI).

Single-Use Plastics
Expect around 18,000 plastic cups at a medium-sized music festival (Source: A Greener Festival).

Electricity
Some festivals use over 5 million kWh of electricity—enough to power 500 homes for a year (Source: Green Music Australia).

Festival themed event by Global Events Agency using sustainable signage.

Festivals contribute enormously to event waste. But by implementing sustainable practices such as no single waste plastic and cleaner energy sources they can be safer and better for guests and the environment.

Room for Optimism with a Sustainable Event Management Agency

Despite these eye-watering stats, there is plenty of room for optimism. There’s so much that the events sector could be and should be doing to turn down its carbon footprint dial towards zero.

As an organisation that plans conferences, exhibitions, or events, you can contribute to reducing the impact of your events on the environment.

One way to achieve this is by making sure you choose a sustainable Event Management Agency – an events company that is committed to the principles and practice of sustainable events.

Designing Immersive and Sustainable Events that Deliver on Experience

You might wonder if going green means compromising the ‘wow’ factor of your events. This is decidedly not the case. Innovations in technology allow us to swap old, damaging practices for newer, sustainable ones—without losing any of the effectiveness, atmosphere or excitement of your event.

Examples include LED lighting systems that create stunning visuals while slashing energy use. Or, imagine virtual reality installations that provide immersive experiences without any of the waste.

By making innovative use of modern technology, you can practise eco-friendly principles while keeping costs low – creating spellbinding events that tread lightly on the Earth.

Enchanted garden party stage with audiences watching sustainable 3d projection.

Sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on your event theming and immersive experience. We can help you deliver incredible events that are also good for the planet.

Introducing our sister brand – Champions of Sustainable Events

Transitioning to sustainable practices doesn’t happen overnight. There’s no shame in not getting it right the first time. It’s the intent that matters, alongside a determination to improve. Here at the Global Events Agency, we’re committed to sustainable events. As part of that commitment, we’ve launched our sister brand, Champions of Sustainable Events.

Encourage, Inspire and Support Sustainable Event Planning Practices

This is an open platform where everyone involved – directors, suppliers, entertainers, and employees – can join the conversation, share experiences, and learn – judgment-free.

Our role isn’t to condemn, hector, or expose those who fall short. Champions of Sustainable Events exists to encourage, inspire and support all stakeholders within the events sector towards sustainable events practices.

We work with clients to provide visibility of their event’s footprint and craft tailored action plans that walk them towards net zero.

Working with our event management teams, you won’t sacrifice fun or creativity; you’ll simply redefine them within a sustainable framework.

Our sister site Champions set up to encourage inspire and support events industries professionals on their sustainability journey.

Why You Should Book a Sustainable Events Company

Choosing a sustainable event planning agency isn’t just an ethical choice; it’s a forward-thinking one. Sustainability is fast becoming a non-negotiable, not just for compliance but also for attracting an eco-conscious audience. By choosing sustainability, you’re not just saving the planet; you’re also keeping ahead of the curve.

So, for your next event, make a choice that aligns with both your ambitions and the planet’s needs. Talk to our specialist teams, who will design and deliver an event that exceeds all your expectations, including your desire to remain sustainable.