PROPOSAL
What is the role of corporate event planners in creating a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?
This proposal is a call for immediate action for Corporate Heads of Events or Sustainability to create a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
In this proposal, we will be asking you to commit time and budget.
This proposal has been written for:
Head of Events
Head of Sustainability
This proposal has been created as pre-read document to be discussed on a pre-call for a roundtable being delivered by Positive Impact and UNFCCC (United Nations Climate Change).
Proposal Index:
Below is a summary of each section of the proposal, we suggest you dedicate at least 30 minutes to reading this proposal before the pre-call.
i- What is the role of corporate event planners in creating a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (in other words why is this proposal and roundtable needed).
ii- How to read this proposal
iii- What is our request?
iv- What is your return for this commitment of time and budget
v- What will your commitment of time and budget mean for the future of event sector
vi- The business case for your involvement
vii- Who is making this request for funding
Viii- How could you meet this request for funding
ix - FAQ including: why aren’t global governments, event sector associations or event sector supply chains leading on this?
x- Contact details
xi - Further reading
i- What is the role of corporate event planners in creating a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (in other words why is this proposal and roundtable needed)
According to Allied Market Research, The event sector was worth $1,135.4 billion in 2019.
According to Eventbrite, the UK event sector was the 16th largest employer in 2019 employing more than 570,000 people.
Despite the scale of the event sector, unlike other sectors of its size, it does not have a carbon target.
In addition to the lack of carbon targets there is a lack of reporting across the event sector and the majority of corporate sustainability reports do not reference their company’s events.
The audience invited to attend this roundtable understand the business case for events and the importance of collaboration, inspiration and connection that takes place when people come together (face to face or virtually).
The audience invited to attend this roundtable also understand the business case for sustainability and the urgent and increasing need to be able to report on the impact of all business activities inline with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Corporate event planners have a unique positioning within the event sector supply chain to be able to unlock behaviour change across the entire supply chain and a unique understanding of the urgent need for the transformation of the event sector.
This roundtable marks the first time that Heads of Events and Heads of Sustainability from corporates will be invited to commit time, budget and take immediate action to create a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
ii- How to read this proposal
This proposal is confidential to those who have been invited to the roundtable. We ask that you do not share it externally beyond those people in your company for whom it is relevant.
If you are Head of Events:
As Head of Events you will understand the importance of events (face to face or virtual) to achieve the goals of your business strategy. You may already have tried to implement a sustainability strategy and faced challenges on finding the right suppliers and gathering data. While you may have already implemented ISO 20121 it is not likely that you provide data which is included in your company’s annual sustainability report on the carbon impact of your event strategy or the impact of your events in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We request that you approach this proposal and roundtable conversation with the consideration of how having access to resources, expertise and peers implementing sustainability strategies would support your work. These resources would cover materials to implement ISO 20121, online measurement reporting systems and regular collaboration opportunities with peers and UN bodies.
If you are Head of Sustainability:
As Head of Sustainability you will be keen to expand your corporate sustainability strategy to cover all areas of your business. It its unlikely that you will have a sustainability strategy in place for corporate events, however, you will understand the potential carbon impact they could have and the importance of taking action in this area to enhance and protect your company’s sustainability reputation. You may have already implemented ISO14001 or ISO9001 within your business and are therefore interested to learn that ISO2012 1 aligns with these standards so you have already taken the first steps in the implementation of a management system for the sustainability of your events. The annual sustainability report is likely to be your responsibility and it is not currently likely to include the impact of your events in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We request that you approach this proposal and roundtable conversation with consideration of the benefits to your corporate sustainability strategy which the Head of Events implementing a sustainable event strategy could bring. In addition this proposal could deliver on your corporate leadership and impact goals because this proposal will deliver the transformation of a supply chain sector to becoming a low carbon sector advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Why is this proposal for 2 different types of readers (Head of Events and Head of Sustainability): There are a number of approaches that can be taken to achieve the end goal of a low carbon event sector that advances the UN SDGs. This has never been done before so it is not the responsibility of a specific job role.
Please note when reading this proposal: When we write ‘sustainable’ this is shorthand for the longer description ‘Creating a Low Carbon Event Sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’
iii- What is our request
We are requesting immediate action in the form of a commitment of time and budget.
The budget request for 2021 is £200,000, $275,000, €230,000.
The time request for 2021 is minimal 2 days per month.
The budget request for 2022 is £100,000, $138,000, €116,000.
The time request for 2022 is minimal 1 day per month.
The budget request for 2023 is £100,000, $138,000, €116,000.
The time request for 2023 is minimal 2 days per quarter.
iv- What is your return for this commitment of time and budget
We are asking you to dedicate part of your annual event and/or sustainability budget so you have the resources to show leadership and create a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The return for your commitment of time and budget will be:
1-Regular workshops to support your implementation of ISO 2012 1 (The only globally recognised standard for event sustainability).
2- Materials needed to implement and show evidence of first party certification to ISO 2012 1.
3- Regular salons with peers and sustainability leaders (for example UN Bodies) to explore best practise.
4- An online reporting system which can be used to gather data from your supply chain and aligns with UN reporting best practice. This system will enable you to create post event reports that demonstrates low carbon behaviour and advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This will enable your corporate sustainability report to include your event impacts.
5- In 2021, inclusion in a consortium of maximum 20 corporates committed to creating a low carbon event sector which advances the Sustainable Development Goals and presenting these results during COP26 (the world’s most important meeting in climate change taking place in Glasgow in November 2021).
6- In 2022 and 2023, providing input to shape the future of the consortium committed to creating a low carbon event sector which advances the Sustainable Development Goals. This will include significant leadership opportunities.
7- Access to materials to address: plastics; circular economy; gender equality; participation and inclusion; and other resources to create a low carbon event sector which advances the Sustainable Development Goals.
8-On-going ability to contribute to and access new materials to support the creation of a low carbon event sector which advances the Sustainable Development Goals, for example UNICEF UK guidelines for the consideration of child and human rights.
9- On-going opportunities to trial new approaches and innovations, along side your peers, to create a low carbon event sector which advances the Sustainable Development Goals.
10- On-going ability to contribute to best practice and educational materials which will be shared across the global event sector through media, association, ambassador and UN partnerships.
Throughout the implementation of these 10 opportunities Positive Impact will act as a critical friend, providing guidance, education, engagement and collaboration opportunities.
Due to Positive Impact’s 15 year experience, our memorandums of understanding with UN bodies and our not for profit status, the support Positive Impact can provide you with is unique.
v- What will your commitment of time and budget mean for the future of event sector
With funding of £2 million and Positive Impact’s resources, relationships and expertise the following vision of a future event sector could be achieved:
1- April 2021, UK government strategy for sustainable events created (this strategy could be shared with other governments - the UK is the first government to request this).
2- June 2021, over 1,400 Positive Impact Ambassadors who are event professionals who have volunteered to use their voice to create a sustainable event sector will be empowered with resources to share within their businesses, associations etc with the goal of educating 140,000 event professionals on creating a sustainable event supply chain.
3- September 2021, Acceleration Action report provided to United Nation Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign highlighting the role of events in the decade of accountability to achieve the UN SDGS (this could specifically refer to the members of the consortium).
4- October 2021, public launch of the online measurement and reporting system with the ability for Positive Impact to amalgamate data gathered and identify sector challenges and approach partners such as UN bodies to address challenges. There is the potential for this system to be used across global events beyond the corporate sector, for example UN and government events.
5- November 2021 Announcement at COP26 that the global event sector has a carbon target and reduction framework which has been created under the auspices of UNFCCC.
6- December 2022 Capacity building materials shared with over 100,000 event professionals so the supply chain is able to do at least the following: implement ISO 20121 to first party certification level, Measure and report post event inline with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Identify and reduce plastic use at events, Plan events with a consideration of human and child rights.
7- February 2022 Announcement that all consortium partners are demonstrating ISO 20121 and are being second party certified by event sector industry associations (providing new employment in the event sector)
8- June 2022 consortium partners able to contribute to the ISO 20121 review
9- September 2022 At least 73 UK academic institutions offering at least 193 event sustainability content accredited by the UK Institute for Event Management so the future generation event supply chain will be sustainable.
With funding of £2 million and Positive Impact’s resources, relationships and expertise, this is an example of what could be achieved. Depending on the geography and prioritise of the consortium this could change.
Imagine if ‘events’ were understood as the way to address the world’s challenges because events bring people together to enable collaboration and innovation. Imagine if the new narrative for events became “ events are the way to enable inclusion and participation” (This is UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 target 7)
Here is a short animation on the potential future of the event sector
Here is a short vision of the future of the event sector
Imagine if ‘events’ were understood as the way to address the world’s challenges because events bring people together to enable collaboration and innovation. Imagine if the new narrative for events became “ events are the way to enable inclusion and participation” (This is UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 target 7)
Imagine if corporate’s were reporting on the impact of their events within their annual sustainability reports. In addition to carbon impact this reporting could include gender equality (based on who attended and provided content for events) or reduced poverty (based on thee choice of local suppliers from minority owned business’). Imagine if the event supply chain had the ability to report on their actions and a sector wide reporting system enabled gaps in a best practice approach to be addressed.
Imagine if there was a carbon target and reduction framework for the event sector, created under the auspices of UNFCCC which your company could report against.
Imagine if the event sector was innovating to be sustainable and identify new ways for human connection in a world facing challenges of climate change, equality, economy and health. Imagine if the global event sector was understood by governments and supported by policies to enable it to become a key low carbon growth sector that supported a majority female workforce with job opportunities.
This vision is possible.
This proposal is a call for immediate action for Corporate Heads of Events or Sustainability to create a low carbon event sector which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
At COP 26, 1st-12th of November, Glasgow, Business or government could announce that the event sector has a carbon target and reduction framework (created under the auspices of UNFCCC) supported by an implementation strategy and a reporting system.
By COP 26 the global event sector could be a low carbon sector that advances the UN SDGs.
What is the only gap in making this happen:
The knowledge, networks and experience are all in place. The gap is funding.
vi- The business case for your involvement:
If you are Head of Events:
As Head of Events for a global company with a public sustainability commitment it is likely to be becoming increasingly obvious to you that your company will be measuring the carbon footprint of all activities including events. As Head of Events for a global company that implements best practice you are probably aware of ISO 20121 as the global standard for sustainable events and considering how to implement the standard. Being part of a community being guided through this process will leave you feeling supported and able to tailor the approach to meet your needs. Being involved in this initiative will give you access to reporting systems, resources, best practice, data and most importantly a community of peers who are equally committed to showing leadership to create a sustainable event sector. Finally as Head of Events for a global company you will understand how events bring your companies brand to life and you will be keen to use a supply chain that ensures your events reflect your corporate sustainability commitment. You may already have in your annual event budget support for sustainability expertise.
You may also be interested in reading the business case for the Head of Sustainability.
If you are Head of Sustainability:
As Head of Sustainability for a global company with a public sustainability commitment it is likely to be becoming increasingly obvious to you that every action your company takes must be considered from a sustainability perspective. Events (from corporate sponsorship to AGMs and customer meetings) are where your brand comes to life and provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate sustainability and inspire sustainable behaviour change in others. As Head of Sustainability you will be interested in your company's impact beyond the tradition scope of office impact and product/service delivery impact. The business case for being involved in this proposal is being able to show leadership in the transformation of a sector which is in your supply chain. The opportunity to do this in line with UN bodies, corporate peers and in partnership with your Head of Events means the impact you could have through this initiative is much more significant than an internal approach.
You may already have in your annual event budget support for sustainability expertise.
vii- Who is making this request for funding
Since 2005 not for profit Positive Impact Events has existed to provide education, engagement and collaboration to create a sustainable event sector.
16 years of transforming the global event sector has provided some significant learning moments (which you can review in our history)
Our favourite 5 highlights of our expertise include:
1- Creating a community of 1,400 event professionals and supporting them with resources to regularly use their voices to champion the creation of a sustainable event sector.
2- Our CEO being the youngest female to chair an ISO standard, providing materials to support the event sector to implement ISO 20121 including an initiative with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. (Our CEO was also Meeting Professionals International first European female global chair so she has significant expertise within the global event sector).
3- During COVID19 providing capacity building materials so a global community of over 100,000 event professionals have the skills to deliver events in a way that advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
4- Agreeing Memorandums of Association with United Nations Bodies including UNFCCC (UN Climate Change), UN Environment, UN SDG Action Campaign and supporting Unicef UK on their guidelines for the consideration of human and child rights when planning an event.
5- Reporting annual to the United Nations on behalf of the event sector on thee progress the sector is making to advance the sustainable development goals and agreeing an approach to develop a carbon target and reporting framework with UNFCCC
Positive Impact is a not for profit which means all money is spent on developing materials and inspire innovation to create a sustainable event sector.
Viii- How could you meet our request for funding
We have created this proposal so that both Head of Events and Head of Sustainability will understand the benefits. Therefore, one approach could be to identify funding in the following way:
1- Budget from Head of Events with a return of resources to enable sustainable delivery of your events and transformation of the global event sector supply chain.
2- Budget from Head of Sustainability with a return of resources to enable sustainable delivery of your events, evidence of showing leadership in creating a sustainable event sector and annual reporting on event impact.
ix- FAQ
Why aren’t global governments, event sector associations or event sector supply chains leading on this?
One reason for this could be that global governments do not recognise the event sector as a sector. In government strategy events are often included within tourism strategy.
A second reason could be the lack of understanding of the strategic importance of events. For example the UK government does not have a sustainable events strategy despite using events (eg the hosting of COP26) to promote the UK’s leadership in sustainability.
Although the global event sector does have association bodies which support a transition to a sustainable approach, these associations have limited resources and influence. Their strategic approach to sustainability usually consists of creating their own association standards and resources rather than supporting ISO 20121 or using grant money to fund a sector wide initiatives (For example in 2019 Meeting Professionals International turned down a grant request for $40,000 because they said ‘sustainability was already in action amongst the members and in 2017 global association heads chose not to attend a meeting with a number of UN bodies to identify how events could be used to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.) The event sector associations focus is driven by their members and sponsors, the majority of whom have previously been concerned that a sustainable event sector will disrupt their existing business models.
The event sector supply chain has been devastated by COVID19 and the majority of suppliers do not have the strategic insight or financial ability to transform the products and services they deliver to be sustainable. There is growing evidence that suppliers understand the increasing urgency to be sustainable (for example an increasing uptake of free resources provided by Positive Impact) however the general feedback (as voiced by the sector associations on behalf of their members) is that the business case for being sustainable is not clear and therefore not a priority.
X- Contact details
When you register to attend the roundtable, you will you will receive an email so you can book your pre-call.
If you have any questions or have not received an email please contact Sophie at
sophie@postive-impact-events.com