Feature
The
global
conversation
It’s time for events
to form part of the
UN’s Sustainable
Development Goals,
says global not-for-profit
Positive Impact
I
n New York, in September 2019, the
world’s businesses and governments
will gather at the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goal Summit.
The UN’s Sustainable Development
Goals were formed in 2015 and aim
to ‘transform the world and improve
people’s lives and prosperity on a healthy
planet’ by 2030.
So where does the events industry
come in? Industry not-for-profit Positive
Impact, with the support of organisations
such as Cvent, IMEX Group, Maritz
and Oregon Convention Center,
intends to involve the industry in the
global sustainability conversation. As
an industry worth billions worldwide,
employing hundreds of thousands and
serving more, events should be central
28 — August
What are the UN’s Sustainable
Development Goals?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
to the sustainability debate. The United
Nations Sustainable Development Goal
Action Campaign has created a survey
specifically for the event sector, accessible
through the Positive Impact website,
which will enable event professionals to
have their say on the industry’s potential
sustainability roadmap.
Positive Impact CEO Fiona Pelham,
who has been on the MPI Board for
over seven years, commented: “Aligning
events to a global strategy will enable it
to have strategic business conversations
with global leaders. For example,
events can contribute to achieving the
targets of Goal Two (zero hunger) by
repurposing nutritious food to people
in vulnerable situations and supporting
small scale food producers, or train event
professionals to spot human trafficking
and reduce inequalities (Goal 10). There
is evidence of this happening, but it is not
a ‘business as usual’ norm.”
The United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change, which
focuses on Goal 13 (climate action),
stated: “Our focus is on accelerating
climate action in all industries at global
level. We need urgent action by all
stakeholders. We recently launched
sectoral initiatives in the sports and
fashion sectors, and we look forward to
initiatives that mobilise further action.
The events industry is a key one.”
Judy Elvey, director of marketing for
Cvent in Europe, said: “We hear a lot
about sustainability in our industry, but
many need guidance as to how they can
support the global political agenda and
overcome any perceived challenges to
No poverty
Zero hunger
Good health and well-being
Quality education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic
growth
9. Industry, innovation and
infrastructure
10. Reduced inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and
communities
12. Responsible consumption and
production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice and strong
institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals
supporting the sustainable development
goals at an industry level. I would urge
every event professional in the industry
to share their views so that we can
present a united voice and look at a range
of solutions. The research marks an
important next stage as we pave the path
for a more sustainable events industry.”
The survey will be available until 1
September, after which time the findings
will be used to influence the content of an
‘Acceleration Commitment’ being drafted
by Positive Impact. The organisation will
be drawing on its existing memorandums
of association with UN bodies to tell the
story of the power of events in achieving
the UN Sustainable Development Goals
and aims to identify the actions needed
for the event industry to deliver on its
potential as a ‘catalyst for acceleration’
of the UN’s commitment to achieve the
Sustainable Development Goals. EN
Learn more about Positive Impact and take
the sustainability survey online at
www.positiveimpactevents.com