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Net Zero Carbon Events Launches its Roadmap at COP27

Net Zero Carbon Events launched its Roadmap for the events industry at COP27 at Sharm El- Sheikh in Egypt on Nov. 11, Decarbonization Day.

James Rees, president of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, who is coordinating and hosting the campaign for the industry worldwide, announced the start of Phase 2 and provided a progress update to contributors and supporters at IMEX America.

The initiative has developed well since its inception last year, he said. The number of supporting organizations has risen from 21 in September 2021 to 409 by September 2022. Twenty-four supporting partners, including exhibition and event organizers, service providers, associations, convention bureaus and venues, are now financial contributors.

Some 225 operators have signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge since its launch at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, committing to publish before the end of 2023 their organization’s pathway to achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest, with an interim target to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

The Roadmap published at COP27 was produced following a survey and two rounds of consultation. It includes two versions: a detailed document of more than 80 pages with comprehensive information on how to implement action to achieve net zero as well as a 20-page executive summary. As at COP26, the launch was arranged with the support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

For Phase 3 of the campaign eight workstreams have been identified and 42 representatives from 32 organizations have already registered to participate.

To continue to build awareness and momentum, a communications campaign – with the theme “Route to Net Zero Events” – has also debuted and includes frequent social media posts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Contributors, supporters and signatories are encouraged to follow the campaign on each of these platforms and to share posts.

“Globally, there is an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net-zero emissions,” Rees said. “The events industry can and should play its part in helping to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement. That’s why the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative was set up.”

It is open to all organizations involved in events, and they can join the initiative at any time. Registration is free of charge, but financial contributions are crucial to developing the campaign. Please contact Alex Alles, Executive Director of JMIC at jmic@themeetingsindustry.org or visit netzerocarbonevents.org/funding-opportunities/ for further information.