The temperature of our planet is increasing, weather patterns are shifting and sea levels are rising. There has never been a better time to take responsibility of your own carbon footprint to help slow down climate change. Here are some top tips to reduce your carbon footprint in the event's industry.

1. Reduce your Food Miles

Food plays a big role in carbon at events. By choosing to serve seasonal foods, food miles will be reduced. Local and seasonal food is also fresher and usually tastes better!

2. Educate Yourself and Your Team

The event industry has an internationally recognized ISO standard (ISO20121) and a reporting framework, The Global Reporting Initiative. There is no reason why every event organizer doesn’t use both! It’s a great strategy to future-proof the business, and the resulting positive impact upon the planet could be huge.

3. Choose Energy Efficient Venues

Venues have a big role to play in the carbon cost of an event. By choosing venues with strong sustainability policies, it will be easier to put positive practices in place.

4. Think About Transport

The carbon costs for event transportation can be huge. Why not offer guests the option of attending your event via videoconference? Alternatively, see if you can encourage your guests to carpool together or use public transport.

5. Source Recycled Materials

Consider the environmental impact of the goods and supplies you use and try to opt for recycled or recyclable materials.

6. Tell the Story of the Power of Events

The event industry can have huge positive payoffs, from the local economic impact, to inspiring positive behavior change, to creating a space for the face-to-face collaboration that is essential for creating a world that works for everyone. During 2017, help us share the story of the power of events with the world using the hashtag #shareapositiveimpact.

7. Eco-accommodation

See if you can give your guests information about hotels or accommodation options that have environmental practices or certifications.

8. Cut Down on Paper

Reducing the paper used at events can have a great impact on reducing carbon consumption. By saving paper, we save trees, which are huge carbon sinks. Why not use an app at your next conference to spread information rather than using multiple print-outs?

9. Engage Your Guests

Events can be an amazing opportunity to raise awareness about climate issues. Just think of the impact the COP climate conventions can have! By telling your guests about the low-carbon practices at your event, you could inspire more event professionals to follow your lead!

10. Go Veggie

By cutting down on meat and dairy you can reduce your event’s overall carbon footprint. Agriculture is a huge contributor to global carbon and methane emissions, so any reductions you make can have a big impact!

Top 10 Tips for Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Your Events