New Sustainability Guide launched by BCD M&E

BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) has launched its annual Sustainability Guide, an in-depth resource that reveals best practices and emerging trends in the meetings and events industry. The 2024 Global Sustainability Guide highlights the challenges and opportunities meeting planners, suppliers, vendors, and destinations face in adopting sustainable practices. “There is an obvious and on-going need to go further in implementing sustainability practices within the meetings and events industry, driven by the global focus on climate change and tightening regulations on carbon emissions,” said Bruce Morgan, Global President, BCD M&E. “The scale of this challenge can, at times, be overwhelming. By thinking forward and embracing the myriad of best practices available to our industry, we not only mitigate risks but also unlock significant opportunities for positive change,” Morgan added. BCD M&E says its own Sustainability Toolkit identifies key areas to examine, including travel emissions and venues’ green credentials. Usiing this guide, companies should, says BCD M&E,  pick the top 3-5 items that are most important to their own company goals and put a tracking mechanism in place to measure and monitor progress in the venue selection process. As there are no universal industry standards for venues, it’s important for organisations to set their standards and create a baseline to measure and show impact, they say. The new Sustainability Guide explores challenges to sustainability, from cost and travel to politics. It explores environmental regulations and offers practical solutions for more sustainable meetings and events. The guide also highlights the industry’s approach to sustainability beyond environmental initiatives—encompassing social and economic change through areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and health and wellbeing. However, it is a balancing act, says BCD M&E’s Guide. Sustainability will always be a top priority, but measures can’t come at the expense of enjoyment, it notes, and advises making smart decisions that fit into your programme. Access and download full report here.