Sustainability is a priority in a world increasingly concerned with protecting the environment, reducing carbon footprints, and minimizing the environmental impact of its actions.
Sustainable events are not just a response to an increasingly widespread demand across all sectors. They are an opportunity for brands to strengthen their commitment to the environment and attract a growing audience of conscious consumers. Throughout this post, we will explore what sustainable events are, the benefits they bring, the best strategies to implement them, and inspiring examples that embrace the concepts of sustainability and excellence.
What is a sustainable event?
The main goal of a sustainable event is to minimize its negative environmental impact while maximizing social and economic benefits for the hosting location. Such an event should be designed, planned, and executed with a focus on reducing waste, using resources like water and energy responsibly, selecting local suppliers who prioritize proximity products, and integrating practices that actively engage attendees in preserving the environment.
The concept of sustainability extends beyond the environment. ESG criteria are built around social and economic aspects. A sustainable event aims to leave a positive legacy in these areas, and every decision made during any stage of event planning and logistics should align with ethical and responsible principles. Key factors, such as designing recyclable materials or selecting accessible destinations, play a critical role, along with promoting shared transportation. Every detail matters when transforming a corporate event into an experience that is both meaningful and sustainable.
Benefits of organizing sustainable events
Choosing the path of sustainability when organizing events brings numerous benefits, both for the company and the planet. Firstly, it reduces the ecological footprint, minimizing the impact on the environment. This commitment, adopted by an increasing number of companies, reflects responsible values and strengthens the brand’s reputation. After all, it is essential to listen to an audience and attendees who are increasingly concerned about environmental issues.
Sustainability can also generate a positive economic impact. Choosing local suppliers and products from a zero-kilometer range promotes the development of the community, city, town, or neighborhood where the event takes place. Implementing practices such as the efficient use of resources helps reduce costs. From a social perspective, organizing sustainable events promotes values such as inclusion, equality, and environmental awareness. It’s a perfect way to inspire attendees to adopt responsible practices even in their daily lives.
A sustainable event becomes a highly competitive differentiating factor in an increasingly saturated market. Companies and institutions seek to partner with brands that align with their ethical values, social involvement, and ESG-driven initiatives. All of this contributes to opening new opportunities for collaboration and business. At MTGlobal, we are convinced that sustainability is neither a trend nor a passing fad, but a commitment to an ever-growing necessity. That is why we work to integrate these criteria into each of our projects.
Strategies to make your event more eco-friendly
One of the most common strategies is reducing waste by using recyclable and biodegradable materials. Eliminating single-use plastics is also a valuable addition when organizing an event with sustainability in mind. In line with this, having an efficient waste management system, with designated collection and separation points, is one of the key aspects to consider.
Event organizing companies also have the opportunity to invest in clean energy by choosing venues that use renewable energy or incorporate LED lighting, solar power, and portable energy sources. Shared or sustainable transportation is also essential to understand the need to reduce the use of private cars to attend an event. At MTGlobal, with our Transfer solutions, we encourage this type of group movement for events. All of this contributes to significantly reducing the carbon footprint in the complementary phases of event development.
While it is important to consider aspects such as waste, the spaces to be used, or the type of transportation, we must not forget the selection of suppliers. The focus should be on choosing suppliers who offer local products, supporting the local economy, and designing interactive experiences for attendees. A good example of this could be organizing recycling workshops or developing activities that contribute to environmental conservation. In this way, the message of sustainability is conveyed in an impactful and lasting manner.
Examples of successful sustainable events
There are many examples around the world of successful events that integrate sustainable practices. One of them is the Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom, which has banned single-use plastics, enforced mandatory recycling on-site, and promoted carpooling for all attendees. Considering that this event gathers around 200,000 people, the impact of these policies and regulations is significant. These actions have not only helped reduce the environmental impact of the festival but also raised awareness among its participants.
At a higher level, major conventions like COP demonstrate that sustainability must be a priority by using recycled materials for stand construction, promoting local and organic food, and offsetting the carbon footprint through various reforestation projects.
From a local perspective, at MTGlobal, we have implemented sustainable solutions both in the selection of venues we propose to our clients and in the incorporation of materials and technologies that reduce energy consumption. Every detail, no matter how small, matters. We must work to ensure that the events we organize are not only successful but also reflect the commitment we have made over the years to the future of our planet. We firmly believe that sustainability is not an impossible goal to achieve but a path full of opportunities to innovate, inspire, and make a difference. Choosing to integrate responsible practices in the organization of our events helps us contribute to protecting the environment while creating authentic and memorable experiences.