Net Zero Carbon Events Announces New Plans at COP29

Following the release of the Industry Roadmap at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh and the launch of the Measurement Methodology in December 2023, Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) confirmed its latest development at this year’s COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan: the integration of NZCE methodology into the U.N.’s reference tool for the measurement of events emissions, the Green Events Tool.

This tool, developed by the United Nations and managed by the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), is already instrumental in measuring the carbon footprint of U.N. conferences. Integrating the measurement methodology developed by NZCE for the business events industry will enhance the Green Events Tool's capabilities and align them with the industry’s specific needs.

James Rees, president of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), which hosts the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative for the conference, events and exhibitions industries worldwide said: “Since its inception at COP26 in Glasgow, the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative has made remarkable progress in advancing sustainability practices within the business events industry. Thanks to the collective efforts of our community, we have achieved significant clarity on environmental aspects relevant to our sector, clearing the way towards a more sustainable future.”

Speakers at the launch event at COP29 included:

  • Suriya Mues, program officer, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat
  • Asa Elisabeth Tynell, project manager, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • James Rees, president, JMIC
  • Alexander Alles, executive director, JMIC
  • Joseph Prakash, director, GORD
  • Kai Hattendorf, CEO, UFI
  • Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA
  • Hemant Nandanpawar, senior director, GORD (moderator)

For more information, visit www.netzerocarbonevents.org.

Related Stories

Sustainability Hub for Events Debuts for Meeting, Event Planners

Destination Canada Launches Sustainability Storybook

IMEX, Isla Launch New Events Carbon-Tracking Toolkit

ASM Global Signs the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge