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“ Data , especially when it comes to sustainability , is really important and there needs to be more . It needs to also be more specialised ,” says Jandt .
This is something sustainable industry body isla has been working towards . In May of this year , isla launched its first ‘ Temperature Check Report ’, which Kieran says reflects the state of the industry as
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it stands . “ As an organisation , we intend to continuously produce these reports , so that we can , overtime , get this really incredible view of the events industry ,
According to the report , energy , materials and waste are the hardest areas to capture data due to a lack of ‘ direct control ’ of these elements . Staff travel and accommodation , production transport and food and beverage , are the most recorded areas .
Campbell explains why this is : “ There ’ s inaccurate and unverified data because we
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Matt Grey |
Priscilla Lim |
Christianne Beck |
sometimes put the onus on suppliers and providers to give us their interpretation of their data . But how do we know that it ’ s not been manipulated ?”
Lardeur adds : “ There are still areas where it ’ s a lot of estimated data , which is problematic , as materials and energy account for 20 % to 30 % of global emissions .”
Jandt also recognises this issue and tells me about Event Cycle ’ s own experience with this type of data . She says : “ At COP26 , if an item was made out of several materials , we would break it down into ‘ what are the top three that contribute to the weight of the overall item ?’ Then that way , we were able to assign the different carbon factors and give one whole number – which made sense , but it was still an estimation .”
So how can we fill in the gaps , and make sense of our data ? “ I would love to see more transparency – that ’ s how I think the industry can move forward . Transparency with its reporting , more public facing sustainability policies , strategies and individual reports ,” says Lardeur .
We also need to have a dedicated Standard Industrial Classification ( SIC ) code . “ We need to be classified in some shape or form . That way , everyone in the industry can actually contribute data ( which they are providing anyway ), in one consolidated place ,” says Jandt .
“ Without data , standards are meaningless ,” says Grey , “ how else do you report on standards if not by setting targets and measuring achievement ?”
“ Businesses that aren ’ t prioritising sustainability now , will get left behind ,” warns Beck . “ Legislation is coming , so better to get your house in order now , than later .” CN
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