Net Zero Carbon Events will launch its roadmap for the events industry at COP27 at Sharm El- Sheikh in Egypt on Decarbonization Day (November 11).
James Rees, president of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, which is co-ordinating and hosting the campaign for the industry worldwide, announced the start of Phase 2 and provided a progress update to contributors and supporters at IMEX America.
He reported that the initiative had developed well since its inception last year. The number of supporting organizations has risen from 21 in September 2021 to 409 in September this year. Twenty-four supporting partners, including exhibition and event organizers, service providers, associations, convention bureaux and venues, are now financial contributors.
Around 225 operators have signed the “Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge” since its launch at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, committing to publish before the end of 2023 their organization’s pathway to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest, with an interim target to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
The roadmap to be published at COP27 has been produced following a survey and two rounds of consultation. It will include two versions: a detailed document of over 80 pages with information on how to implement action to achieve net zero, and a 20-page executive summary. As at COP26, the launch is being arranged with the support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Contributors and supporters will be invited to attend the launch either in person or online.
For Phase 3 of the campaign, helping to deliver the Roadmap, eight workstreams have been identified and 42 representatives from 32 organizations have already registered to participate.
To build awareness and momentum, a communications campaign themed “Route to Net Zero Events” has started and includes frequent social media posts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Rees said: “Globally, there is an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net-zero emissions. The events industry can and should play its part in helping to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement. That’s why the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative was set up.
“The initiative has made a strong start and we are building momentum. We’d welcome everyone not only to follow us on social media and to take part in the meeting on 11 November but also to sign the pledge and join us.”
He added that it is open to all organizations involved in events and they can join the initiative at any time. Registration is free of charge, but financial contributions are crucial to developing the campaign.
The organizations contributing financially to the campaign include: Platinum Level – Freeman; Informa; Javits Center; Questex: RX and UFI; Gold Level – Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center; ICCA; Messe Munchen; Scottish Event Campus and SISO; Silver Level – ADNEC; Clarion Events; Emerald; IMEX Group and Tarsus; Green Level – APIC; Glasgow Convention Bureau; IAPC; MontECOlino; NBAA; Olympia London; OMEGA Group and Stockholmsmassan.
For more details, visit netzerocarbonevents.org.
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