A industry by 2050 is the collective goal being championed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ) and Positive Impact Events . In a nutshell , it all sounds on message and something that all events businesses should be on board with without hesitation . But , as you would expect , there is much work to be done . Not least the small matter of funding to get the drive started . The princely sum of £ 30,000 is needed to finance a task force to create a framework for use primarily in the UK industry , before , ideally , being replicated worldwide . The goal , however , is clear : the UK can be a world leader in sustainable events . A roundtable held in January underlined the importance of creating a clear roadmap for a more sustainable events industry , in line with the objectives laid out by the UNFCCC , which takes on responsibility for the global push to reduce carbon in the atmosphere . There are green shoots of ambition , as the presence of Theresa Villiers MP , chair of the All-Party Parliamentary
UN climate framework : pathway to sustainable events
Theresa Villiers MP , chair of the APPG for Events , was among the attendees to discuss what next for the route to sustainability . Martin Fullard reports
Group for Events , testified . She was joined by Nick Baker , deputy director of business and engagement for COP26 , the global climate summit penned in for November in Glasgow .
“ What we are asking companies to commit to is to get to net zero by 2050 , or earlier , and to publish a short- to medium-term plan on how they are going to achieve that target .”
“ I think often people relate best to what ’ s going on in the economy , in terms of practical things that companies , and others are doing to tackle climate change ,” Baker told the roundtable . “ But what we are asking companies to commit to is to get to net zero by 2050 , or earlier , and to publish a short- to mediumterm plan on how they are going to achieve that target .” Baker called on the events industry to sign up to science-based targets , an initiative run by an organisation called CDP , which is the carbon disclosure project . “ It ’ s essentially a way of monitoring progress on how a company is doing on its net zero plan and on its target ,” said Baker . He added that the UNFCCC ’ s Race to Zero campaign was something the events industry should sign up to . The campaign has rallied leadership and support from businesses , cities , regions , and investors for a healthy and resilient zero carbon recovery . Some 454 cities , 23 regions , 1,397 businesses , 74 of the biggest investors , and 569 universities are already signed up . Miguel Naranjo , programme officer at UNFCCC , referenced the UK ’ s hosting of COP 26 , as an incentive to “ do it now ”, with Fiona Pelham , CEO , Positive Impact Events , describing a future where the prime minister could announce to the world plans to make the UK events industry carbon neutral by 2050 . Naranjo said that an ‘ ambitious timeline ’ could see the framework set up in advance of COP26 and that businesses within the industry could contribute to shaping how it could serve the wide diversity of organisations within the events industry . He said : “ It is voluntary and collaborative , but it needs to be ambitious : net-zero by 2050 is the basis . And it needs to be transparent , so everyone outside the sector can see what we are doing .” The Paris Agreement aims
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