Why implement SEM?

Sustainability is an end itself but there are a number of other reasons to consider implementing SEM, including the following:

• SEM can deliver cost savings through better use of resources such as energy and water.
• SEM can provide the means to differentiate your event from other similar events.
• SEM can be used to balance any negativity associated with events requiring long distance travel (this can be particularly relevant for remote locations such as Perth)
• SEM provides the opportunity to establish effective relationships with stakeholders and improve your reputation

How to implement SEM

There is no single agreed methodology for implementing SEM. However, in 2007, the UK developed the British Standard for Sustainable Event Management (BS 8901). This standard is the first of its kind and may prove to be the basis of an international standard.

The BS8901 framework addresses sustainability as a process of continuous improvement. One will never achieve ‘sustainability’, but rather continuously progress towards it. Building on this concept, SEM becomes less daunting as it is not about doing all the right things, but about doing some of those things the right way. Then, at your next event, you can try changing a few more things and so on.

BS8901 is not a prescriptive standard. It provides a simple framework and some guiding steps to include in the event management planning process. These fall into three main phases:

1. Pre-event planning – Here, you should define a sustainability policy for the event, establish commitment upfront and set high level goals, objectives and KPIs.
2. Implementation and event monitoring – Once the objectives have been agreed, effective management of the supply chain is required to ensure all parties are working towards common goals. You should track your KPIs throughout the planning process and during the event to address and issues as they arise.
3. Post-event review – KPIs are measured after the event and a review completed to identify which objectives were achieved, what needed more attention, and what can be done next year to improve again?

Following the above approach during your event planning process and ensuring you have some critical success factors (such as early engagement with your stakeholders and sufficient buy-in from your event planning team) will result in an event with a successful sustainability focus and its associated benefits.

The role of carbon offsets in SEM

A carbon neutral event is not necessarily a sustainable event. Even if one of your event objectives is to be carbon neutral, it is not enough to simply buy offsets.

Most events will have relatively modest greenhouse gas emissions and the vast majority of those emissions will be ‘Scope 3′ and associated with suppliers to the event. It is much more effective to work with your suppliers to reduce their sustainability impacts and to only use carbon offsets to balance the residual greenhouse gas emissions.

Managing an event is complex and time consuming and it pays to be pragmatic. Because many offset providers offer simple web-based calculators to self-assess your event’s carbon footprint, it may be tempting to simply buy offsets online and then proudly advertise your event as carbon neutral. However, you risk being seen to be green washing if this is all you do.

You will not necessarily achieve the reputation benefits you’re seeking if you have blatantly ignored obvious sustainability issues such as waste management or water use. Also, you may be in breach of the Trade Practices Act if you claim to be carbon neutral and cannot substantiate your claim, or if you have purchased inappropriate or poor quality offsets.

How Greensense can help

We offer a complete sustainable event management service, which is in line with the BS 8901 standard, and would be more than happy to work with you to make your event more sustainable.