FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY COP26, the 2021 United Nations climate change conference,
The new Omicron COVID-19 variant has had an immediate
adjourned a couple of weeks ago in Glasgow.
impact on global travel with governments imposing restrictions yet again. The potential impact to economies
It will be fair to say, we all had a bitter sweet feeling about
and the global meetings industry could be severe in the
the conference and its outcomes. On one hand, all the world
short and long-term.
leaders are showing commitment to climate change. On the other hand, we all felt, ‘too little too late’.
We have also seen activism by people from all backgrounds and of all ages, around the globe, bringing increased
I was actually more encouraged from what was happening
attention to carbon emissions and environmental
outside the conference venue and in many more cities around
sustainability in general.
the world. About 100,000 people (most of them youth activist, next generation representatives) marched in Glasgow to
We can play our part to support and drive solutions. It is quite
demand more action on the climate crisis. This protest was the
clearly more important than ever before that organisations
biggest during the COP26 summit and took place alongside
and leaders in the business and professional events industry
hundreds of similar events around the world.
continue to demonstrate positive steps to encourage and conduct good practices in a consistent manner in order to
Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate told protesters "Leaders
support both safe and carbon-conscious travel and meetings
rarely have the courage to lead. It takes citizens, people like
whilst not losing focus on how these meetings can contribute
you and me, to rise up and demand action. And when we do
to the betterment of societies.
that in great enough numbers, our leaders will move." Looking at the business event industry, it can be perceived
Contributing to the achievement of the 17 UNSDGs are
as not sustainable. However, we all know the importance of
fundamental to us doing so. This edition of The PCO focusses
bringing people together. We all understand there’s no real
primarily on environmental sustainability and shines a light on
replacement to face to face meetings.
some of the incredible and interesting initiatives and thoughts of IAPCO Members around the globe. Knowing the great work
So how do we go about this? Sustainability is not only about
many of our members do, I am confident that each actually
climate change, but also about what we leave to the next
plays a much bigger part in addressing and supporting many
generation when it comes to environmental, economic and
of the sustainability issues identified in the UNSDGs.
social issues. Looking at the 17 UNSDGs we can clearly see that sustainability is also about: Quality education, Gender
IAPCO strives to create positive impacts on as many of the
Equality, Good health and Wellbeing and much more. The
UNSDGs as possible through our own activities. The recent
meetings we manage and the way we manage them can
announcement of IAPCO being a Supporting Association of
impact and advance those goals.
the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge focussing on UNSDG 13 –Climate Actionwhilst Quality Education (#4), Gender Equality
So, if we follow Vanessa Nakate, it is our reasonability as event
(#5), Life below water (#14) and Partnerships for the Goals
professionals to ensure we create more sustainable events
(#17), to name only a few, reinforces that committment.
while reducing our carbon footprint. We need to lead by example - And it must start today!
Sincerely, Martin Martin Boyle, CEO
Yours, Ori Ori Lahav, President 2020-2023 4
| December 2021
