Green Thinking

Andrew Harrison, Director of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), discusses why sustainability in the events industry urgently needs to adopt an industrywide standard to become truly sustainable.

Our industry consumes a significant amount of natural resources and generates a significant amount of waste. While we can each implement our own sustainable initiatives, to become truly sustainable, all parts of the industry need to be conversing now on the topic and not acting in isolation. Unfortunately, we’re still seeing too many companies across the sector acting first, then consulting which will never achieve the optimal result we are all ultimately striving to achieve.

Broader consultation and the adoption of an industry-wide standard is needed as a matter of urgency. Jumping on a single issue or topic does not solve the problem, but rather clouds the bigger picture and what really needs to be done. We need to plan more and force less, ensuring economic sustainability as part of the process. Only when we collectively work towards the same predetermined goals and adopt the same means of measurement and benchmarking can we truly know that we are universally on the right path towards sustainable success.

We are well beyond the stage where sustainability is optional. Any business in the events industry not taking it seriously is in danger of being left behind. Whilst sustainability is a complex topic, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming but the growing misinformation that exists in the industry is of paramount concern and is only designed to act as a barrier to success.

This is where ESSA is leading, investing, and supporting. We introduced a comprehensive sustainability module to the ESSA Accredited scheme in 2021, communities and businesses (including the local authorities themselves) lose out when events are driven away from areas as research shows they can generate substantial revenues for an area, from providing local employment to hotel nights, restaurant covers, and more.

As research by Bournemouth University showed in 2018, outdoor events – from festivals to county shows – are a major contributor to the economy, with £30.4 billion being earned from travelling to and spending onsite.

At a time when many local communities and businesses need the injection of income that events can generate, it is short-sighted to put increasing obstacles in their way.

Eventsindustryforum.co.uk followed by a Sustainability Awareness training course last September.

Focusing on all key knowledge areas of sustainability theory and practice, the training is designed to enable members to build their sustainability roadmap with ease whilst dispelling the myths surrounding how complicated it needs to be. The important thing is to make a start, understanding that you cannot do everything at once – it’s a marathon, not a race.

Sustainability success is about getting the right balance between its three pillars - people, planet, and profit ¬– and implementing in a sustainable way with consideration for the impact on businesses and the supply chain.

Essa.uk.com

At CM Event Recruitment we staff occasions from small private events to large corporate ceremonies.

We meet and interview everyone face-to-face and conduct a skills test, ensuring they have the skills required for the job.

Matching experience to event, we supply bar staff, waiting-on staff, kitchen porters and cleaners/clearers.