This week is  Climate Week NYC, one of the largest summits focused on action and policies to address climate change and hosted by The Climate Group.  The mission is to accelerate climate action to achieve a world of no more than 1.5°C of global warming and greater prosperity for all.  No small feat to say the least!

From the clearing of the skies in polluted areas of the world as we moved into lockdown under Covid-19 restrictions, to the some of the worst wildfires in the west and tropical storms in south and the east of the united states, and societal unrest, this year it has become painfully clear how our actions (and inaction) is affecting our climate and humanity.  While all a bit overwhelming, there are actions we as the events industry, can take to contribute to meaningful change for the environment and our communities.

Developed in 2015 by the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.  These 17 SDGs include social, economic, and environmental sustainability considerations that can be applied by governments, corporations, non-profits, and even events.

To help de-mystify this framework, here are some simple actions event organizers can take to help implement long-lasting, meaningful change

Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) with the following practices:

o    SDG 1 and 2: No Poverty and Zero Hunger

• Offer volunteer programs to attendees and staff that benefit the local community.

• Work with your caterer to donate food post event.

• Offer an onsite hygiene kit assembly to be donated to community in need.  The 2020 PCMA Convening Leaders conference attendees assembled 2,400 personal-care kits at Moscone Convention Center for Compass Family Services in San Francisco.

o   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

• Make vegan and vegetarian options and whole foods available at all food functions.

• Offer Fun Run options and Yoga during the event.

• Provide Wellness stations on the show floor.

o   SDG 4: Quality Education

• Offer session topics which include diverse speakers on a variety of issues.

• Provide scholarships or virtual learning sessions that are easily accessible.

o   SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Ensure speaker panels are gender balanced for sessions, including keynote sessions.

• Provide networking opportunities for LGBTQ community.

• Offer private areas for nursing moms onsite.

o   SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation:

• Partner with organizations like Cupanion to provide clean drinking water to people in need.

• Request your meeting venue use Green Seal certified and EPA-approved cleaners.

o   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy:

• Request venue partners offset energy use during the event by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (REC’s). Get a sponsor to support these efforts financially.

• Choose venues that utilize renewable energy.

·        On-site solar supplies approximately 10% of Moscone Center’s total power consumed.

·        Hilton Hotels have aggressive carbon reduction goals and clean energy targets.

o    SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Prioritize local vendors in your procurement, including food and beverage and give-aways.

• Prioritize vendors that are women and BIPOC owned.

o   SDG 9: Industry, Infrastructure and Innovation

• Hold your next event at a LEED or WELL certified building.

• Incorporate virtual elements into your event and provide financial discounts and tech support to communities where access to technology may be limited.

o   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Offer scholarships and funds to students and emerging businesses to help with costs of attending or exhibiting.

• Ensure all sessions are closed-captioned to accommodate hearing impaired and non-English speaking attendees.

o   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Donate leftover conference materials to the local community and non-profits.

• Offer incentives for attendees to use public transportation to get to your event.

o   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Place recycling and compost bins throughout event.

• Eliminate foam core signage and Styrofoam from the show floor.

• Reduce paper consumption through online registration and smartphone mobile application to provide all event information including schedule, maps, speaker details, attendee contacts.

• Eliminate speaker handouts and offer on the mobile app. 

o   SDG 13: Climate Action

• Conduct a baseline carbon impact of the meeting venue, hotels, and attendee travel.

• Chose meeting venue within walking distance of hotel room block.

• Offer option to attendees to offset their carbon footprint.

o   SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Request all seafood served at the event follow the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch recommendation for sustainable seafood.

• Eliminate straws and single use plastics from bars and meal functions.

o   SDG 15:  Life on Land

• Partner with organizations such as Arbor Day Foundation or American Forests, where attendees can donate a small dollar amount and these organizations will plant trees on behalf of the event as a legacy project.

• Prioritize reusable cups and serviceware for all meal functions (even post-COVID).

o   SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Require staff attend Human Trafficking Trainings annually, like the one provided by the Freedom Network.

o   SDG 17: Partnership for the Goal

• Partnership with vendors to implement sustainable practices with request for sustainability metrics and pre-event planning. It takes all of us working together to accomplish impactful and lasting change.

We recognize there is a long road ahead to get back to meeting together in person again, and we face challenges never imagined just 12 months ago.  But let us not miss this opportunity to rethink, redesign, and reimagine our events in ways that truly do build back better. 

Do you have ideas, suggestions, or questions? We’d love to hear from you! 

Take care and stay healthy - Lindsay, Amanda, Tim of Honeycomb Strategies