Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide

Written by a leader in event sustainability management, this book is a practical, step-by-step guide taking readers through the key aspects of how to identify, evaluate, and manage event sustainability issues and impacts and to use the event for good – events of any style and scale, anywhere in the world. Each year events of every shape and size are held globally: from community events, school fairs, and local business functions through to the largest festivals, music concerts, conferences, and sporting events. As well as encouraging celebration and giving voice to issues, these public parties can use up resources, send out emissions, and generate mountains of waste. But events also have the power to showcase sustainability in action, and every sustainably produced event can inspire and motivate others to action. Thoroughly updated in its fourth edition, this book reflects what event sustainability best practice looks like in this new era of the discipline: circular and net zero, reusables and renewable energy, climate conscious catering – stakeholders expect it and the solutions now exist. The new edition also features additional case studies, and an updated look at greenhouse gas emissions measurement, providing readers with practical guidance on how to manage events responsibly. This is the indispensable one-stop guide for event professionals and event management students who want to keep up with industry best practices and who need a powerful, easy-to-use collection of tools to deliver events sustainably.

Table of Contents:
Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Boxes Acknowledgements Introduction 1 SUSTAINABILITY AND EVENTS Sustainability… of what? Regenerative and Restorative Is the Triple Bottom Line the Real Bottom Line? Sustainable Development 2 EVENT SUSTAINABILITY AROUND THE WORLD Drivers, Enablers, Catalysts and Barriers Organisations Enabling Sustainable Event Management Event Sustainability Knowledge and Resources Event Sustainability Standards Questions 3 EVENT SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT Sustainability Strategy Identifying and Prioritising Event Sustainability Issues Delegation of Duties Sustainability Policy Communicating Sustainability Measurement, Reporting and Evaluation Questions 4 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Who are your Stakeholders? Internal Stakeholders Organisational Culture Production Stakeholders Clients Talent Sponsors Questions 5 DESTINATION, VENUE AND SITE Assessing a Destination Sustainable Event Readiness Local Government Tyranny of Distance Outdoor Venues And Sites Venues Accommodation Questions 6 SOURCING Sustainable Procurement Stewardship, Decommissioning and Dissolution Ecolabelling, Standards, and Certification Programmes Performance Reporting Questions 7 BUYING WELL Event Materials Look and Overlay Technology Enhancing Sustainability Accreditation and Ticketing Merchandise and Swag Cleaning Products Questions 8 EATING AND DRINKING Sustainable and Regenerative Farming Sustainable Food and Beverage at Events Caterers and Food Vendors Drinking Water Food and Beverage Serviceware Targets and Reporting Questions 9 WASTE AND RESOURCE RECOVERY Circular Economy Zero Waste You Can’t Do This Alone What Waste at Your Event? Waste Avoidance and Reduction Waste Management in the Event Destination Material Types Waste Processing Options At-Event Waste Segregation Set Goals and Targets Performance Reporting Questions 10 WATER AND AMENITIES Water Use and Events Water Rights and Scarcity Water Sources Water Management Plan Water Conservation Wastewater Toilets The Event as a Living Lab Set Goals and Targets Performance Reporting Questions 11 POWERING YOUR EVENT Energy Sources Temporary Power Energy Planning Energy Stakeholders Temporary Structures Audiovisual, Lighting and Technology Energy-Efficient Catering Set Objectives and Targets Performance Reporting Questions 12 MOBILITY Freight and Deliveries Site Vehicles, MHE, Machinery Production Travel Attendee Travel Set Goals and Targets Performance Reporting Questions 13 EVENTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE Our Climate is Changing ... The Science Is In Carbon Neutral, Net Zero, Climate Positive? Impacts of Climate Change on Events Reducing GHGs Event GHG Sources Measuring Event GHGs Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement Admin GHG Accounting Methodologies Carbon Compensation Carbon Neutral Events GHG Reporting Questions Index

About the Author :
Meegan Jones is an industry leader and expert in event sustainability, focusing her efforts on using the power of events for positive action while also ensuring that events themselves are produced sustainably. She is director of GreenShoot Pacific, a sustainability advisory and training service for events.

Review :
"For as many years as this book has been published and revised, each issue becomes a predictor of what will emerge next in the field of sustainable events. It was the first and continues to be the most technically comprehensive guide to what is practical and expected of event organisers now, with a healthy dose of what’s possible on the horizon, if we but learn and ask for it." Shawna McKinley, Principal, Clear Current Consulting "The fourth edition of Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide is a fantastic resource for everyone interested in making events more sustainable. Event practitioners as well as students and researchers in the field of event management will gain real-world insights from this highly detailed, yet very accessible text. The book provides practical and workable ideas and suggestions both for implementing sustainable practices at events and also for measuring their impact. A real strength of this book is Meegan’s ability to take very complex issues, such as carbon footprint measurement, and translate this knowledge into approachable and manageable strategies to guide event organisers. The use of a multitude of carefully curated case study examples from festivals and events around the world also contributes greatly to the readability of this text. Highly recommended reading!" Judith Mair, Associate Professor and Researcher, University of Queensland “This is the book on event sustainability: A comprehensive text on all aspects of sustainable live events management, theoretical and practical, written by one the industry’s most experienced practitioners.” Chris Johnson, Co-Founder Shambala Festival and CEO of onboard:earth "A super comprehensive guide to sustainable event management covering both the theory and implementation. Great for both someone just entering the events space through to seasoned specialists. I loved the range of best practice reference and alongside checklists to help you get jobs done. Whilst reading it I wrote notes from the ideas it sparked!" Alexandra Rickham, Director of Sustainability, World Sailing "Meegan Jones’ Sustainable Event Management is an essential resource for anyone involved in planning and executing events. This comprehensive guide provides a clear roadmap for implementing sustainability practices and strategies, with up-to-date advice to meet current expectations and requirements. Highly regarded in the meetings and events industry, Meegan brings years of hands-on experience in planning events that adhere to the highest sustainability standards and achieve valuable sustainable outcomes. Her extensive knowledge and practical experience are evident throughout this guide, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking credible and practical guidance in sustainable event management." Roger Lehner, Sustainability Lead at IMEX Group, member of the EIC (Events Industry Council) Sustainability and Social Impact Committee and AEO (Association of Event Organisers) Sustainability Working Group "The latest edition Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide paints a clear picture of this ever growing and evolving landscape of seemingly increasing complexity. The sustainable event conversation joined mainstream consciousness in the last decade. Unfortunately, despite pockets of remarkable action, global emissions continue to rise, as does biodiversity decline and loss of wildlife habitat. There is an increasingly complex array of legislation, regulations, and avenues in the sustainable event space to navigate. Events are an incredible tool for communication and community building, which can be harnessed as a front line of the green transition. This is why heeding and acting upon lessons in this book are necessary and recommended. Meegan’s first hand experience, tenacity, attention to detail and no-nonsense approach is paramount to what makes this book a must read for anyone diving into the world of event sustainability." Claire O'Neill, CEO & Co Founder, A Greener Future "The fourth edition of this volume excels at bringing forward perspectives on issues of sustainable event management. The author does very well to highlight the important harmonious requirements of major events and our environment, beyond the economic. For example, social and cultural values are furthermore put forward, with timely evidence of good practice to demonstrate the wider positive outcomes.This latest edition appeals to a broad audience that can include e.g., event practitioners, students, academics and policy makers the world over. The readership benefits from the author's informed insight from truly comprehensive and global first-hand experience." Dr Mary Beth Gouthro, Senior Academic, Bournemouth University, Editor of The Routledge Handbook of Events and Sustainability