How sustainable is your event destination?

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, is due to take place in Glasgow from 31 October – 12 November 2021 and with the recent extremes of weather around the world, sustainability is very much on everyone’s minds. Gradually, sustainability is becoming mainstream in the events industry, but now it has to be more than supplying reusable bags and getting rid of plastic straws.

There are huge problems to solve and these can impact the event’s budget. To be successful all the stakeholders need to address the larger issues of food waste, transport, energy, use of plastic and water consumption.

IMEX has published the Global Destination Sustainability Index which aims to promote the sustainable growth of international meeting destinations, highlighting best practices and responsible business tourism. It assesses the sustainability performance of cities and conference bureaux in four categories:

• City environmental strategy and infrastructure
• City social sustainability performance
• Industry supplier support (restaurants, hotels and convention centres)
• Convention Bureau strategy and initiatives

At the moment, 25 Scandinavian cities take part and these have been joined by destinations in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia as well as Australia. It is hoped that more destinations will participate in future. Not only will this make the tourism industry more sustainable, but improve the local region’s economy and adopt, responsible practices.

The results of the 2020 survey are as follows:

For more information about the sustainability of your destination, the Convention Bureau will be able to provide information.

For help or advice to book your event in a sustainable destination and venue call 01780 484051 or email [email protected], we’d be delighted to help.