ASM Global,
the Los Angeles-based venue management company, has become the latest events
industry heavyweight to sign the Net
Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) initiative.
In doing so
the company, which runs 400 venues around the world, including 83 exhibition
and convention centres, has pledged to eradicate its greenhouse gas emission by
2050.
Hosted by
the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), NZCE is an industry-wide attempt to
galvanize event suppliers to take concrete steps to become more sustainable.
So far it
has 700 signatories from 60 countries, but its reliance on ‘collaborative
action and commitment from industry stakeholders’ has been criticized for
lacking stringency.
NZCE has
shown signs that they are willing to take action against signatories who fail
to make good on their pledge, but questions remain about how the scheme will be
policed.
Nevertheless,
ASM’s commitment to the scheme will be a huge boost to organisers who point out
that NZCE is the only scheme of its type capable of uniting the whole industry.
James Rees,
president of JMIC, said: “ASM Global's involvement will undoubtedly help to
propel our initiative forward. Their participation not only underscores the
urgency of addressing climate change but also sets a powerful example for other
venue operators around the world to follow.”
Dan
Hoffend, SVP Convention Centers, ASM Global, said: “We believe in the
importance of sustainability as a key driver of our future. With this in mind,
we have pledged to take action and lead our industry to accelerate our
engagement in the NZCE pledge.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
