The events industry kicks off towards net zero aul Woodward , our guest editor , ( pages 35-36 ), referenced the major events industry initiative for Net Zero Carbon Events launched in September . It was designed to connect the events industry globally to the rapidly growing movement towards net zero by 2050 . This initiative is hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council ( JMIC ).
The objective is to have a pledge ready for COP26 in November 2021 , when world leaders will meet in Glasgow , Scotland , to present how their countries will achieve the 50 % reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 in order to deliver on the Paris Agreement . In advance of this meeting , for profit and non-profit organisations from across all sectors are setting forth their own pathways towards this goal , and the ultimate goal of net zero by 2050 .
Through this initiative , JMIC aims to link all stakeholders in the corporate , professional , academic and destination communities worldwide that have also committed to engagement in what is one of the biggest collective challenges we all face today , and to invite those that have not done so yet to join .
The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative aims to bring together a wide range of industry stakeholders to :
• Jointly communicate our industry ’ s commitment to tackling climate change and driving towards net zero by 2050
• Develop common methodologies for measuring the industry ’ s direct , indirect and supply chain greenhouse gas emissions
• Construct an industry-wide roadmap towards net zero by 2050 , and emissions reductions by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement , with support and guidance on key issues
• Foster collaboration with suppliers and customers to ensure alignment and common approaches
• Establish common mechanisms for reporting progress and sharing best practice .
The new initiative arises from the work of an organising task force initiated by JMIC members UFI , AIPC and ICCA joined by representatives of Emerald Expositions ( US ), Freeman ( US ), HKCEC ( China ), Informa ( UK ), Javits Center ( US ), MCI ( Switzerland ), Messe München ( Germany ), RX ( UK ) and Scottish Event Campus ( UK ). And it was born from a discussion with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ) secretariat — which is also supporting the initiative .
All interested parties are invited to join this journey at www . netzerocarbonevents . org . The aim is to grow this initiative that represents the events industry as a whole and provide a collaborative commitment all can act on .
James Rees , JMIC president , says : “ Events drive industries and societies . They shape conversations , foster innovation and generate business . They are key to human collaboration . This holds true for every subject – including sustainability and climate change . The events industry has a special role to play in tackling climate change . We provide the meeting places and market places to work on solutions to the climate crisis . At the same time , we have a responsibility to minimise our impact on climate change . We are inviting organisations from across the events industry – venues , organisers , exhibitors and suppliers – to join this collaborative effort to drive the events sector towards net zero .”
Anbu Varathan , UFI president , adds : “ UFI is committed to driving and supporting sustainable development among our global membership and the exhibition industry at large . This collaborative and inclusive initiative that covers the whole events industry is a new important step and we look forward to identifying the commitments required for the reduction and neutralisation of event-related GHG emissions .”
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 5 2021 39