Eco-friendly Events: 9 Ways Procurement Can Help

The MICE events industry is no exception in a world of business that is increasingly conscious of its environmental impact.

MICE stand for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences/Congress & Exhibitions. Creating and producing environmentally sustainable MICE events is not just a trend; it is becoming a responsibility.

A typical MICE event has, on average, a carbon footprint of 805-1715 tCO2e and, on average, the carbon footprint of each attendee is 92-3,540 kg CO2e.

This makes it necessary for procurement leaders to consider how to produce greener MICE events to achieve the organization-wide sustainability goals.

In this blog post, we will explore essential strategies and best practices to help organizations host eco-friendly MICE events while making responsible procurement choices.

What is a Green Event?

Various terms are used by procurement teams to define an event that tries to lower its carbon footprint. These are sustainable events, responsible events, eco-friendly events, carbon-neutral events, etc.

For the sake of brevity, let’s call them “green events” – a term used and adopted by Events Industry Council (EIC).

According to EIC, “the ideal green meeting is considered to be one that minimizes waste and energy use at each stage, from the distance travelled to the type and amount of food and water that's used, the amount of energy expended in lighting and electricity, the amount of paper and plastic avoided and recycled, to the amount of waste left behind.”

Which part of an event has the highest carbon footprint?

Activities that led to high carbon footprint (CFP) in a MICE event can be bifurcated into three groups: pre-event, event, and post-event activities. The largest share in CFP is pre-event activities at 60-80%, followed by event and post-event activities at 25-35% and 5-15%, respectively.

In terms of activity, transportation and travel are top contributors at ~50-60% (and more than 80% in some cases with international locations) in the carbon footprint of MICE events.

What are the best practices to produce green MICE events?

1. Set Clear Sustainability Goals

The first step is to calculate the total carbon emission of the event in a normal scenario. It can be done by using various carbon emission calculators and tools available in the market. After analyzing the current emission, organizations can define specific, measurable and achievable sustainability goals for future events.

2. Sourcing a Green Venue

Choose venues for events that have strict environmental policies. Seek out locations with eco-friendly programs, sustainable architecture, and LEED certification.

3. Leveraging Latest Technology

Minimizing paper usage by opting digital communication channels can significantly reduce the need for printed materials. By opting for virtual and hybrid events in MICE events, organizations can reduce their emission by 60-90%.

4. Eco-friendly Catering

Catering comes at the second spot with ~7-15% share in the carbon footprint of MICE events. The average event wastes 15-20% of the food it produces. This can be curbed by contracting caterers who prioritize sustainability in all strategies related to catering such as sourcing produce locally, using compostable or reusable serving ware, etc.

5. Transportation Alternatives

Attendees should be encouraged to leverage sustainable transportation options by providing them with the information about carpooling, bike sharing, and public transit. To lessen the impact of travel on the environment, consider setting up shuttle services with low-emission vehicles whenever possible.

6. Sustainable Procurement

Prioritize suppliers and vendors with strong environmental commitments. Choose products made from recycled or upcycled materials and inquire about the sustainability practices of suppliers. Companies providing event management solution/services can support in the procurement decision by providing a verified network of sustainability focused suppliers.

7. Energy Efficiency

Organizers should invest in low-energy consuming equipment, incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, and implement smart technologies to monitor and regulate energy usage throughout the event.

8. Measure and Communicate Impact

After the event, assessing the success of the sustainability efforts is imperative to align efforts and benchmark success for future improvements. This can be achieved by measuring KPIs of suppliers.

Conclusion

Creating green events and practicing sustainable procurement is not just about checking boxes. It is about fostering a mindset of environmental responsibility within the events industry. By implementing these best practices, organizations can contribute more to their sustainable agenda while delivering memorable and impactful events.

Author: Abdeali Dholkawala