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The conversation around events and sustainability has shifted. Sustainability is no longer a side note in meeting and event planning – it’s the standard. Corporate events today are expected to deliver high impact experiences that inspire people while keeping their carbon impact low. The challenge is achieving both without compromise.
The link between events and sustainability has never been more important. Every meeting, conference or celebration leaves a footprint – from travel to catering – but it also presents a chance to make a difference. By embedding sustainability into event planning, businesses can improve the delegate experience, reduce emissions, cut waste and support local communities, all while reinforcing their brand values.
Sustainable events resonate with people. Clients, employees and delegates increasingly want to engage with companies that lead with integrity and purpose. When you plan sustainably, you don’t just meet ESG targets – you can build stronger, more trusted relationships.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to your corporate events and sustainability goals? Focus on consistent improvement rather than perfection – and make it measurable. That could mean increasing the number of virtual meetings held each year, switching entirely to ESG-accredited venues, or tracking and reducing carbon output over time.
Sustainability is a journey, with no one size fits all solution. The goal is to gradually implement and refine best practices, allowing them to become second nature within your business operations. To help, we’ve outlined a sustainable meetings and events policy guide, below.
Focus on consistent improvement rather than perfection – and make it measurable.
First thing’s first: prior to booking a meeting or event, ask whether it really needs to happen in person. Virtual and hybrid meetings can be just as engaging while dramatically reducing emissions. While in-person meetings hold a lot of value, ensure they are purposeful and provide the most benefit to all attendees before booking.
When travel is necessary for in person events, choose a geographically convenient location for the majority of your delegates to curb excess travel. Ensure the venue selected has good public transport links, or arrange shared transport, like electric or hybrid busses, for delegates travelling from a key location. Encourage train journeys over flights, and car sharing where possible.
Incentivising delegates to make responsible choices – and offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions – helps create events that are truly aligned with your sustainability goals.
Venue choice is where meaningful change begins. As well as selecting locations that help to limit the carbon footprint of your delegates’ travel, consider the venue’s ESG commitments.
Properties that hold accreditations such as B Corp, Green Tourism or ECOsmart from Greengage ensures your event is hosted by partners who share your values.
Inntel’s Sustainable Venue Programme means that clients can easily identify sites that have strong ESG practices set against key criteria, including on-site recycling, and responsible catering practices to reduce food miles and waste.
Food is often at the heart of an event, and it’s also where some of the most effective sustainability improvements can be made. Did you know, menus that are at 50 percent half plant-based, with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, vastly reduce carbon impact? To help reduce food waste, avoid self-service buffets and encourage pre-ordering of food.
Where possible, steer clear of single-use plastics and pre-packaged snacks, and provide refillable water stations instead of bottled water.
What’s more, it’s a good idea to ask if a venue has partnerships in place to donate surplus food or request a copy of their waste management policy.
You can also encourage delegates to embrace paperless events and ask the venue that all materials – from signage to giveaways – are recyclable or reusable. Going digital wherever possible not only saves resources but can also enhance the delegate experience.
Sustainability works best when it’s measurable. Tools such as TRACE by isla allow you to assess the carbon impact of an event, identify key areas for improvement, and offset any unavoidable emissions.
At Inntel, we help clients use these insights to make data-led decisions, track progress, and demonstrate the tangible value of sustainable practices. It’s how we turn good intentions into meaningful results – helping every event contribute to broader ESG objectives.
As a B Corp certified company, sustainability is part of who we are. It shapes how we work with clients, suppliers and our own teams to create a better way forward for business travel and events. Our approach balances performance with purpose – proving that operational excellence and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
The future of events and sustainability lies in collaboration and commitment. Every choice, from the venue you book to the transport you encourage, can have a lasting positive effect.