Can the exhibition industry achieve Net Zero?
In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global conversations, industries across the board are re-evaluating their practices to minimise their carbon footprint.
The exhibition industry, a dynamic and influential player in the business world, is no exception. What can we do to achieve net zero emissions in the exhibition industry?
Understanding Net Zero in Exhibitions
"Net zero" refers to the state in which an entity's carbon emissions are balanced by removing an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In the context of the exhibition industry, achieving net zero involves identifying, measuring, and ultimately offsetting or reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated by events, facilities, and associated activities.
Challenges and Opportunities
The exhibition industry has historically been energy-intensive due to the scale and logistics involved in hosting large events. From transportation and energy consumption to waste generation, the industry's environmental impact is significant. However, this also presents a unique opportunity to drive change and showcase leadership in sustainability.
Logistical Complexity: Large exhibitions require substantial infrastructure, travel arrangements, and energy consumption. Overcoming these challenges requires careful planning, from venue selection to waste management, to minimise environmental impact.
Changing Mindsets: Transitioning to net zero requires a shift in mindset for both event organisers and participants. This change includes embracing sustainable practices and advocating for eco-friendly alternatives.
Innovative Technologies: Adopting innovative technologies, such as virtual reality and digital platforms, can reduce the need for physical presence at events, thus cutting down on emissions from travel.
Initiatives Leading the Way
The exhibition industry has taken notable strides toward achieving net zero emissions. Here are some initiatives and strategies that are setting the stage for a more sustainable future:
Carbon Offsetting: Many event organisers are investing in carbon offset projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives, to balance out their emissions.
Sustainable Venue Choices: Opting for eco-friendly venues with energy-efficient infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and waste reduction systems can significantly lower the carbon footprint of events.
Circular Economy Practices: Encouraging exhibitors to use reusable materials, minimising waste, and promoting recycling contributes to a circular economy within the industry.
Education and Advocacy: Raising awareness among exhibitors, attendees, and industry stakeholders about the importance of sustainable practices fosters a culture of responsibility and accountability.
“Sustainability for us means the ability to build and rebuild a strong business serving the needs of our customers. We will sustain when we focus on reducing our impact on the environment, which is an impact on our bottom line, and we prioritise efficiency, always.”
Our Path Forward
As a business, we have long based our economic sustainability on our environmental sustainability.
Since we formed in 1999, we have pursued both lean construction techniques and circularity - choosing construction methods which extend the life of components, eschewing single use and ensuring we can re-use and remanufacture stands.
We work with our supply chain to source ethical products, such as using time which is verified FSC; or making sure our logistics firms are using low emissions vehicles, and we keep the weight down to lower fuel use.
And we are exploring carbon offsetting, though we appreciate this is not a long term solution.
The exhibition industry holds immense potential to become a catalyst for change by embracing sustainable practices and striving for net zero emissions. As the demand for eco-friendly alternatives continues to grow, the industry's leaders are rising to the challenge, setting an example for others to follow. With a concerted effort and a clear vision for a greener future, the exhibition industry can pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible business landscape.