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Planet Positive Event: A Practical Framework for Measuring and Improving Sustainability in the Event Sector
Francisca Flajs
Toleranca Marketing, Slovenia.
Purpose Large events significantly influence travel, consumption, and resource use, affecting environmental sustainability and public health. Many organisers aim to deliver more sustainable events but often lack practical tools to measure impacts and guide improvements. Planet Positive Event provides a practical framework to assess sustainability performance, calculate carbon footprints, and identify areas for meaningful improvement.
Methods Planet Positive Event combines a sustainability assessment framework with an automated carbon footprint calculator. It evaluates mobility, energy use, catering, waste and water management, accommodation, procurement, and digital services. Organisers provide operational data through structured questionnaires, which are analysed using recognised emission factors and standards, including the GHG Protocol, ISO standards, and ESRS/GRI. The framework also links event actions to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping organisers understand the broader impact of their decisions.
Results Applying the framework at over 45 international sports and business events shows participant travel often accounts for more than 80% of total emissions. The tool identifies practical strategies, such as promoting sustainable travel, improving procurement, enhancing waste management, and advancing relevant SDGs. Final reports provide clear, actionable data supporting informed decision-making and transparency.
Conclusions Tools like Planet Positive Event bridge the gap between sustainability commitments and action. By providing clear metrics and recommendations, the framework helps organisers reduce environmental impacts and align events with broader sustainability and policy goals.
