10 Sustainable Event Ideas That Matter in 2024

Are you eager to enhance the sustainability of your 2024 event but feel uncertain about where to begin? You are not alone in facing the challenge of navigating a complex landscape of climate-conscious considerations. From waste management and recycling to selecting catering and assessing carbon emissions, many event planners grapple with a daunting checklist of sustainability tasks.

Transforming your events strategy to prioritise sustainability may necessitate shifts in company culture, additional investments, fresh perspectives, and ongoing education. However, taking the first steps is crucial. As UK organisations collectively strive to cut CO2 emissions by 68% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, every effort counts. This guide will offer best practices for integrating sustainability into your events and contributing to a more environmentally responsible future.

A sustainable or green event prioritises environmental and social responsibility throughout its planning and execution. It minimises waste, conserves resources, and reduces carbon emissions while promoting social equity and community engagement. Such events benefit not only the environment but also enhance brand reputation and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices. 

Sustainable event management revolves around the integration of environmental, social, and economic considerations into every aspect of event planning and execution. Guided by the four principles of sustainable events—reduce, reuse, recycle, and respect—event organisers strive to minimise environmental impact, maximise resource efficiency, and create positive social and economic outcomes. By reducing waste generation, opting for reusable materials and recycling, and respecting local communities and ecosystems, sustainable event management not only ensures the longevity and success of events but also contributes to a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The team at ICC Belfast have collated 10 sustainable event ideas that are essential for event organisers. These ideas offer practical strategies to reduce environmental impact and promote social responsibility. By incorporating even one of these ideas, event organisers can initiate positive changes in their event planning processes, aligning with sustainability goals and demonstrating a commitment to eco-friendly practices. 

Idea 1. Select a Sustainable Destination - Belfast is number eleven on the GDS-Index meaning it has shown a strong commitment to creating a positive impact on the city, its residents, and visitors.

Idea 2. Choose a Sustainable Event Venue - ICC Belfast is the first Green Meetings Gold certified conference venue on island of Ireland.

Idea 3. Promote Sustainable Travel Arrangements - ICC Belfast is located in close proximity to the Belfast ferry port making traveling by boat an easy option.

Idea 4. Consider Eco-Friendly Event Formats

Idea 5. Use Energy Efficient Event Production

Idea 6. Hire Sustainable Event Catering - Avoid catering with disposable plates and cups where possible.

Idea 7. Incorporate Reusable Materials

Idea 8. Offer Sustainable Event Merchandise - Offer reuasable water bottles as merchandise for delegates.

Idea 9. Plan a Waste Management Strategy

Idea 10. Reduce Paper Usage & Think Digital

Idea 1. Select a Sustainable Destination

When selecting an event destination, event planners should prioritise accessibility via public transport to reduce carbon emissions and encourage sustainable travel options for delegates.

• Public transport - ICC Belfast is conveniently located near major transportation hubs, making it easily accessible by bus, train, and even bicycle, promoting eco-friendly commuting.
• Accommodation options - When considering accommodation options, event planners should look for hotels that prioritise sustainability through initiatives such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and community engagement. Most hotels in Belfast city centre are within walking distance of ICC Belfast with a record 75 percent of Belfast’s hotel bedrooms now meeting sustainability standards with Green Tourism accreditation.
• Local attractions - Exploring local attractions that align with sustainability values adds cadence to the event experience and supports the destination's economy. Event planners can incorporate visits to places like Titanic Belfast, Botanic Gardens or if they fancy something different, why not try the Belfast Hydrobike Experience, located right outside the Riverside Entrance at ICC Belfast.

Unlock the Quarters of Belfast

Idea 2. Choose a Sustainable Event Venue

A sustainable event venue prioritises environmentally friendly practices throughout its operations, from energy efficiency and waste management to ethical sourcing and community engagement.

• Check for green certifications - When choosing a conference venue committed to sustainability, check for Green Tourism certifications, which is acknowledged worldwide as the industry standard for exceptional environmental and sustainability practices.
• Enquire about ESG policies - Enquire about the venue's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies to understand their approach to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance, ensuring alignment with your sustainability goals.
• Review sustainable event case studies - Reviewing sustainable event case studies from the venue can provide insights into past initiatives and successes, helping you gauge their dedication to sustainability and their capacity to support your event's sustainability objectives.

ICC Belfast proudly serves as a founding partner of SistersIN, an eight-month leadership programme dedicated to empowering and nurturing female students as they evolve into tomorrow's leaders. The initiative emphasises confidence building, broadening career perspectives, delivering leadership training, and facilitating mentorship opportunities guided by local female business leaders. This collaborative effort seamlessly aligns with ICC Belfast's overarching mission of extending its impact beyond traditional business gatherings. By providing a platform for SistersIN participants to highlight their accomplishments and encouraging networking opportunities for young women, ICC Belfast plays a vital role in cultivating a more inclusive and supportive community. 

SistersIN Celebration Event

Idea 3. Promote Sustainable Travel Arrangements

Encouraging delegates to choose sustainable travel arrangements when attending your event is essential for reducing carbon emissions and minimising the event's overall environmental footprint. By opting for eco-conscious transportation modes such as public transit, attendees can contribute to mitigating climate change and support sustainable tourism practices.

• International travel - For international travel to events, event planners can promote sustainable options such as encouraging attendees to offset their carbon footprint or by choosing airlines that prioritise carbon offsetting initiatives.
• National travel - For national travel, event planners can encourage attendees to utilise sustainable transportation modes such as trains or buses, which typically have lower carbon emissions compared to individual car travel. With George Best Belfast City Airport just an eight-minute drive from our venue, Belfast International Airport just a 30 minute drive and Dublin Airport 90 minutes away, ICC Belfast is a short transfer time for delegates arriving via regional or international routes.
• Local travel - For local travel, event planners can promote walking, cycling, or the use of public transportation to reduce reliance on cars and minimise carbon emissions. ICC Belfast is well-connected to the city's bus and train networks, making it easy for attendees to access the venue sustainably from within Belfast and its surrounding areas.

Idea 4. Consider Eco-Friendly Event Formats

By choosing the right event format, such as virtual or hybrid events, event organisers can significantly reduce the need for travel, paper usage, and energy consumption associated with traditional in-person gatherings. Innovative event formats like workshops and webinars can engage attendees in meaningful ways while promoting sustainable practices.

• Adopting hybrid events - To boost event sustainability, event organisers can adopt hybrid events, combining in-person and virtual components to reduce travel emissions while still encourgaing engagement. For example, ICC Belfast hosted The Virtual Delegate, which utilised a hybrid format, allowing remote, global participation while minimising the need for physical travel and resources.
• Utilising outdoor spaces - Utilising outdoor spaces for events not only reduces energy consumption but also creates a connection with nature, promoting environmental awareness among attendees.
• Engaging in participant-driven formats - Engaging in participant-driven formats such as unconferences or collaborative workshops empowers attendees to actively contribute ideas and solutions while reducing the need for traditional resource-intensive presentations or seminars.
  

Idea 5. Use Energy Efficient Event Production

Energy-efficient event production encompasses practices such as using energy-efficient lighting, optimising heating and cooling systems, and selecting eco-friendly technology to reduce carbon emissions and minimise environmental impact. 

• Opt for LED lighting - Opting for LED lighting can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to traditional lighting sources, lowering electricity bills and minimising the event's carbon footprint. ICC Belfast utilises LED lighting throughout its venue, providing bright and efficient illumination for events while reducing energy usage and environmental impact. 
• Prioritise sustainable stage design - Prioritising sustainable stage design involves using recycled or repurposed materials, minimising waste, and incorporating energy-efficient elements such as low-energy LED screens and sound systems.
• Ensure an efficient heating system is in place - Ensuring an efficient heating system is in place helps to regulate indoor temperatures effectively, reducing energy wastage and improving comfort for attendees without compromising sustainability. ICC Belfast CHP unit uses lower carbon technology that uses waste heat in the building to reduce the CO2 emissions.

Idea 6. Hire Sustainable Event Catering

Sustainable catering or hospitality involves sourcing food and beverages in a manner that prioritises environmental responsibility, social equity, and ethical production practices. This includes using locally sourced, organic ingredients and minimising food waste.

• Use locally sourced produce - Choosing locally sourced produce supports local farmers, reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation, and ensures freshness and quality in the menu.
• Consider plant based food options - By incorporating plant-based food options, event planners can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of their catering, as plant-based diets generally have lower carbon emissions and water usage compared to animal-based diets.
• Plan a seasonal menu - Planning a seasonal menu allows event organisers to capitalise on the availability of fresh, in-season ingredients, minimising the need for refrigeration and long-distance transportation.

Crafting seasonal and locally sourced dishes may seem straightforward, yet for ICC Belfast and its catering partners, Hospitality Belfast, it represents a commitment to meeting client expectations while championing the values of authenticity and sustainability. By preparing meals on-site and from scratch in their dedicated kitchen, Hospitality Belfast eschew the reliance on heavily processed and artificially enhanced foods often dictated by financial considerations. This approach benefits the entire business, as well as the people in it. 

Event Hospitality

Idea 7. Incorporate Reusable Materials

Opting for reusable materials instead of single-use alternatives reduces waste generation, conserves natural resources, and minimises the environmental impact of an event. By investing in durable and washable items, event organisers can not only save money in the long run but also demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and promoting a culture of reuse and resourcefulness among delegates.

• Avoid single use plastics - To avoid single-use plastics, event organisers can opt for alternative materials such as compostable or biodegradable utensils and serving ware made from materials like bamboo or recycled paper.
• Provide water stations - Providing water stations encourages delegates to refill their own bottles, reducing the need for single-use plastic water bottles and minimising waste.
• Opt for reusable name badges - Instead of disposable paper or plastic name badges, event organisers can opt for durable and reusable name badges made from materials like recycled plastic or bamboo, which can be collected at the end of the event for future use, further reducing waste.

Idea 8. Offer Sustainable Event Merchandise

From production to disposal, event merchandise can involve significant resource consumption, carbon emissions, and waste generation, especially if made from non-recyclable or single-use materials. By prioritising sustainable options such as eco-friendly materials, minimal packaging, and products with long-term utility, event organisers can minimise their event's environmental footprint.

• Add a personalised touch - Adding a personalised touch to event merchandise can enhance its value and utility for attendees while reducing the likelihood of it being discarded. For example, offering customisable items like reusable tote bags encourages attendees to keep and reuse them long after the event.
• Consider plantable products - Consider incorporating plantable products such as seed paper bookmarks, which can be planted after use to grow into plants, providing a sustainable and memorable gift that benefits the environment.
• Offer donation options - Offering donation options where attendees can choose to donate a portion of their purchase price to a charitable cause not only adds a philanthropic element to the event but also reduces the environmental impact of excess merchandise production and exhibitor waste.

Idea 9. Plan a Waste Management Strategy

A waste management strategy helps increase event sustainability by minimising waste generation, promoting recycling and composting, and ensuring proper disposal of remaining waste. Regardless of the event's size, implementing waste reduction measures such as using reusable or compostable materials, providing clearly labelled waste stations for recycling and composting, and coordinating with waste management vendors for responsible disposal can significantly reduce the event's environmental footprint and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

• Place labelled rubbish stations in key areas - To create a waste management strategy, event organisers can place labelled rubbish stations in key areas throughout the venue, making it easy for attendees to properly dispose of their waste and encouraging recycling and composting.
• Ensure waiting staff are readily available – Ensuring staff are readily available to assist delegates with waste sorting and disposal can help streamline the process and reduce contamination of recycling and compost bins.
• Try food composting after the event - After the event, event organisers can work with catering partners to implement food composting, diverting organic waste from landfills and turning it into nutrient-rich compost for use in gardens or agricultural projects, thus closing the loop on food waste and promoting a circular economy.

ICC Belfast is proud to support the sustainable tourism-focused 'Changing the Menu. For Good' project. This ensures venues, caterers and event organisers directly raise funds for local food banks, including The People’s Kitchen. The scheme is designed to drive more responsible and sustainable events, to promote social impact and legacy within our local communities, in addition to the economic benefit tourism already generates. The team at ICC Belfast has helped to support this initiative by donating food, toiletries, and clothes since its launch.

Changing the Menu. For Good

Idea 10. Reduce Paper Usage & Think Digital

Reducing paper usage when hosting an event is crucial because paper consumption contributes to deforestation, water consumption, and energy usage, all of which have significant environmental impacts. By minimising paper usage through digital alternatives, double-sided printing, and encouraging electronic communication and documentation, event organisers can significantly reduce their event's carbon footprint.

• Online registration and ticketing - To reduce paper usage at events, event organisers can implement online registration and ticketing systems, allowing delegates to register and receive tickets electronically, thereby eliminating the need for paper tickets and registration forms.
• Use digital signage - Utilising digital signage throughout the venue provides a sustainable alternative to printed posters and banners, allowing event organisers to display event schedules and announcements in an environmentally friendly manner.
• Create an event app rather than printed programmes - Creating an event app instead of printing paper programs not only reduces paper waste but also enhances attendee experience by providing interactive features, real-time updates, and the ability to access information conveniently on their mobile devices.

Planning a sustainable event involves thoughtful consideration of various aspects, from waste management and energy efficiency to sustainable catering and digital signage. At ICC Belfast, we understand the importance of sustainability in event planning, which is why we prioritise eco-friendly practices and embrace key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values.

ICC Belfast offers multiple sustainable features, including energy-efficient lighting, waste management initiatives, and partnerships with local food banks for donation options. Plan your next event with ICC Belfast and let's work together to make every event a step towards a greener future.

Plan a Sustainable Event