In an effort to help inspire and empower the global meetings and events industry to create a more sustainable future, experience design company Maritz Global Events recently became a signatory of the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge, a joint commitment across and a global collaboration throughout the events and meetings industry focused on achieving the targets laid out in the Paris Agreement. The goal? To eliminate the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Launched Nov. 10 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland with 100 signatures, the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge is the most global and inclusive collaborative action tackling the challenges of climate change within the events industry. 

Developed over several months by a broad collaboration hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) and with the support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the pledge has so far more than doubled its number of industry signatories and supporters. 

Maritz joins a growing list of major industry stakeholders that have signed the pledge, including SISO, Emerald, UFI, PCMA, IMEX Group, Mësse Dusseldorf, RX and Tarsus Group, which have agreed to work collaboratively to support the industry’s crucial move toward carbon neutrality. 

The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative brings together a wide range of event industry stakeholders to: 

• Collectively communicate the industry’s commitment to tackling climate change and driving towards net zero by 2050.
• Develop common methodologies for measuring the industry’s direct, indirect and supply chain greenhouse gas emissions.
• Construct an industry-wide roadmap towards net zero by 2050 and emissions reductions by 2030—consistent with the Paris Agreement and Climate Science Foster collaboration with suppliers and clients to ensure alignment and common sustainability approaches.
• Establish common mechanisms for reporting progress and sharing best practices. 

Next, the initiative will develop an industry-wide roadmap that will support the pledge’s objectives and solidify them into a framework that can be presented at COP27, set for Nov. 7-18, 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 

According to Maritz officials, signing the pledge is right in line with the company’s commitment to sustainability in every aspect of its business, including educating its team members and collaborating throughout the entire industry to facilitate swift and essential progress towards reducing the overall carbon footprint of events.

“We care deeply about our impact on the environment, both as private and corporate citizens and as leaders in the global business events industry,” said Maritz Global Events President David Peckinpaugh. “We have broadened our efforts to confront sustainability issues internally and are working with our clients and events industry peers to create viable solutions and promote environmentally friendly practices.”

According to Amy Kramer, Maritz Global Events market and innovation leader, starting in 2022, these broadened sustainability efforts will include:   

• Developing and executing a measurable business strategy and plan in alignment with the company’s strategic pillars, including measurable actions for the company itself, its events and alignment with the Events Industry Council and JMIC to progress the events sector’s carbon target
• Advancing Martiz’s commitment to the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge and completing requirements including measurement, improvements and partnerships with its supply channel
• Establishing a baseline score for two scoring platforms—EcoVadis and the Carbon Disclosure Project(CDP)—with metrics for improvements year-over-year
• Developing and executing consultative services and products to support Maritz client events, such as its Carbon Assessment and Design Tool, in collaboration with BPA Worldwide’s iCompli Sustainability division. 

To accelerate this process, Maritz has also formed a sustainability team that has initiated a number of efforts, including:

• Forming and validating the company’s initial sustainability strategy to support the development of its business strategy
• Scoring efforts and actions and establishing metrics for improvement
• Developing a pipeline of sustainable offerings, such as a carbon assessment tool, wellbeing products, eco-tourism, event planning and management checklist
• Certifying Sustainability Event Managers through the EIC
• Developing supplier and procurement requirements to meet sustainability goals

Additionally, in June 2021, Maritz Global Events committed to the UNFCC’s Race to Zero Campaign, a global campaign that rallies leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

To access the full Net Zero Carbon Events pledge and list of signatories, go here.

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