|
reached over 1,200 global event professionals and was recognised by UN SDG Action Campaign . As part of this initiative the British Embassy in Helsinki made it possible for toolkits to be shared and over 60 British Embassy ’ s to receive capacity building on how to use ISO 20121 , the ISO management system standard for event sustainability inspired by the London Olympic and Paralympic Games .
Capacity building in this area would create exportable skills for the UK events industry and associated bodies , for example British Standards Institute who use standards to build capacity within industries around the world .
Tom Dodd , British Ambassador to Finland , says : “ Human connection and collaboration are at the heart of the work of British Embassies around the world , including in Helsinki . Sustainability is our priority and it is critical that we build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic . This sustainable event management workstream provides a means by which event professionals can connect , collaborate and communicate , while meeting some of the urgent environmental challenges we face .”
Step 4 : Enable innovation The market for new technologies to enable human connection , participation and inclusion is significant . The potential advantage the UK sector could have is to develop these technologies within a # buildbackbatter framework , in line with ISO 20121 , a UNFCCC framework for events , Unicef UK guideline for the consideration of human and child rights when
|
planning an event and more .
This approach would benefit sectors beyond the event sector . For example , the standard sector of which the UK is world-leading .
David Fatscher , head of sector , British Standards Institute , says : “ Sustainability is part of BSI ’ s purpose . We are the world ’ s first national standards body , and proud to support the events industry through best practice standards . Inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games , BSI developed the first sustainable event management system standard ( ISO 20121 ) which is part of a suite of standards that can build capacity and drive more sustainable performance . BSI remains ready to help the industry ‘ build back better ’ from the pandemic through greater application of standards .”
These steps are already being actioned under the leadership of Positive Impact Events , which has provided education , engagement and collaboration to create a sustainable event industry since 2005 . There are already existing frameworks ( for example ISO 20121 and the Unicef UK Guidelines for human and child rights ) developed in the UK either already in use globally or with significant potential . The immediate and straightforward opportunity is to boost the amount of action , its impact and profile the UK ’ s leadership to the world .
Furthermore , these steps have the potential to impact beyond the development of business for a world-leading UK events industry . For example , enhancing the expertise of UK education institutions so the
|
“ The immediate and straightforward opportunity is to boost the amount of action , its impact and profile the UK ’ s leadership to the world .”
Right : Fiona Pelham
|
worlds
Sustainability students would choose to study in the UK , highlighting the expertise of the UK in standard-making and certification so the world ’ s business choose British certification , and supporting the UK tech sector to innovate based on a proven human need to enable inclusion and participation in decision-making .
With these steps in mind , it is easy to understand how the made-up quote from our prime minister , with which this article started , is an unmissable opportunity for the UK Government to support the events industry to enhance existing activity and reclaim global leadership as a sector . # BuildBackBetter .
About the author Fiona Pelham launched not-for-profit Positive Impact Events in 2005 to provide education , engagement and collaboration opportunities to create a sustainable event industry .
She was the youngest female to chair an ISO standard when , in 2012 , ISO 20121 a management system for event sustainability was created .
She received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University for services to the event industry and sustainability and in 2018 joined the UN Environment Technical Expert Group for transforming tourism value chains .
In 2019 she provided a plan to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Summit on the role of events in accelerating action on the SDGs .
|