UFI is aiming to set new standards
in sustainability and guide its 900 member organisations through their own net-zero
journeys with the appointment of its first sustainability officer.
Zeeshan Ghazi stepped into the role of sustainable development
co-ordinator at the international association for the exhibition industry earlier
this month to ‘advance and advocate for UFI’s global sustainability agenda’.
Ghazi’s appointment is significant. Reports released last
year revealed that, while the industry aspires to becoming more sustainable,
many associations are doing very little to make any demonstrable changes in
this key area.
For example, The State of Sustainability in Associations report
by ICCA and Destination Canada, found that while 66 per cent of international
associations rate sustainability as very or extremely important to their organisations,
there remains a gap between stated commitment and operational implementation.
According to the data gathered from 249 associations, almost a 24 per cent of
associations still don’t measure their carbon footprint and 13 per cent are not aware
of such tools.
Similarly, Northstar Meetings Group’s First Look Research, sponsored
by Copenhagen Convention Bureau, found that 42 per cent of organisations have no
sustainability policy in place with over half (53%) of organisations without a dedicated
sustainability officer.
Ghazi, who has more than 10 years’ experience in
sustainability analysis and in building ESG frameworks through roles at Moody’s
ESG Solutions and Vigeo, told AMI he saw ‘significant opportunity’ in enhancing
collaborative data sharing and knowledge transfer among UFI’s members.
He said: “My focused responsibility is to drive measurable
emission reductions across our ecosystem. This means developing practical tools
and frameworks and methodologies for members, tracking our collective progress
toward goals like the NZCE pledge, establishing exhibition industry metrics and
leading UFI’s own sustainability journey, turning commitment into concrete
action."
UFI chief operating officer Adeline V said the association looked
forward to supporting its community in ‘driving positive change across the
exhibition industry.’
The association, whose membership comprises the world’s
tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the major
national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of
the exhibition industry, has been active in sustainable development issues
since 2008.
Vancauwelaert said: “There is increasing need from our
members for leadership and credible expertise to drive our sustainability
efforts forward. Having a sustainability officer allows UFI to advance our
sustainability in a dedicated and structured manner to enable our members to
make measurable progress.
“Zeeshan’s appointment marks an important step in advancing
UFI’s commitment to sustainability. His expertise and experience will be
instrumental in guiding UFI's initiatives globally.”
