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Survey Reveals Lack of Focus on Carbon Emissions in the Events Industry

Jul 14, 2023

A recent global survey conducted by Ovation Global DMC has unveiled a concerning reality about the events industry’s efforts in reducing carbon emissions. The survey findings indicate that less than 15% of current events worldwide actively prioritize and work towards achieving carbon net zero status. These results underscore the need for increased sustainability initiatives within the industry.

The survey, which polled event planners, and suppliers from North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia/Oceania, aimed to assess the level of commitment and progress in implementing carbon reduction measures.

Key findings from the survey

• Only 15% of events worldwide actively focus on lowering carbon emissions. The results indicate a gap in prioritizing sustainability practices within the events industry.

• Effectively measuring the carbon footprint is essential for lowering and understanding how to offset emissions. Yet only 38% of participants claim their company measures the footprint of the overall organization while 33% measure the carbon footprint of the events they organize.

• Working with sustainable vendors is an important step towards achieving Net Zero Carbon Events. Although results show that only 14% of companies currently mandate working with vendors that actively work towards Net Zero, 50% of companies share that they are in the process of implementing these measures. This highlights the acknowledgement and recognition from organizations to work with more sustainable vendors in the future.

• Client mandate and maintaining image and reputation are the key drivers for most companies working towards Net Carbon Zero Events. Followed by the desire to attract new customers with sustainable practices.

ovation_global — Photo Credit: Ovation Global DMC

The global survey also revealed internal recommendations for companies to create a Carbon Net Zero ecosystem. Among the recurring responses was the need for systems that measure the carbon footprint of each event, the implementation of a 4-day work week and the reduction of short-haul air travel.

“We believe that the events industry has the power to be a catalyst for positive change,” said Rutger Hoorn, VP of Sales & Strategic Partnerships at Ovation Global DMC. “By embracing sustainable practices, event organizers can not only reduce their environmental impact but also inspire others to follow suit.”

Find out more about Ovation Global DMC here.