Three event sustainability organisations, The Bulb, isla, and Event Cycle, have collaborated to give a snapshot of how much work remains to be done to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
"There are just six years left until the deadline for the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Earth Day 2024 (22 April) is a stark reminder
of this important deadline," explains Selina Donald, founder and CEO of operational sustainability consultancy, The Bulb.
The sustainability goal
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a call to action and a crucial checklist to safeguard future sustainability for people and planet. This ambitious plan of 17 goals was adopted by all United Nation Member States back in 2015 and encompasses the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental, recognising that each pillar depends on the other to succeed.
The event industry has a unique set of challenges, ranging from the high emissions generated from transportation and travel to waste impacts and energy use. Events must also be delivered within a short timeframe and often under pressure.
Anna Abdelnoor, cofounder and CEO of event sustainability
body isla, said, “At isla, we champion collaboration over competition,
especially when steering towards a sustainable future. We don’t want to
reinvent the wheel, but to identify existing gaps in sustainability and forge
robust, solution-oriented partnerships to bridge them."
Echoing Abdelnoor and Donald’s sentiments, Chantal Kerr-Sheppard, founder of sustainable events consultancy, Event Cycle added:
“By working in unison with isla and The Bulb, we're not just addressing the
current sustainability gaps; we're championing an era of collective action
within the industry. Starting with education, then strategy, through to
measurement and closing the loop, together we're reshaping the way events are
designed to ensure a sustainable future for our industry.”
