Events as driver of sustainable development

In Wonderful Copenhagen, our ambition is that the majority of events and congresses hosted in Copenhagen are drivers of sustainable development supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Because events and congresses do not only have the potential to crucially influence knowledge exchange, culture, innovation, talent attraction and development. They also have the potential to support and push global agendas such as the SDGs. Yet, along with positive impact on local communities and the SDGs, we must acknowledge that events often leave a less positive footprint, to mention a few are the emission of carbon and the sometimes extensive use of materials. We all have a responsibility to address those downsides, and with this guide, we wish to encourage events and congresses in Copenhagen to take part in becoming a new generation of sustainable events and congresses.

We saw the first approaches to hosting sustainable events with a focus on the event footprint itself. On how to reduce single-use plastic, food waste and include more plant-based food alternatives. Next, we saw an approach of a second generation where events sustainability expanded to also considering participants' footprint from travel, accommodation and consumption outside of the event space itself.  

Both generations’ focus areas are still highly relevant to include in planning a sustainable event. Nevertheless, going beyond and creating an event that drives lasting sustainable development, that is the approach of what we would like to call a new generation of sustainable events. A new generation that takes on a more holistic approach by actively engaging with and inspiring participants, exhibitors and suppliers to drive lasting sustainable development in local and global communities – before, during and after the event. By doing so, we can begin to see how events and congresses can support and impact local and global sustainability agendas instead of only focusing on how we can minimize the less desired outcomes that comes with hosting events.

We have developed this sustainability guide to help you in that process of becoming a sustainable pioneer and contributor to this new generation of sustainable events and congresses. The guide is made in close collaboration with consultants from LEADERLAB who conducted several interviews with event organisers about their work, needs and wishes, as well as having conversations about how events ultimately can drive sustainable development in the meeting and event industry.  

In the guide you will find tips, tricks, tools and cases, which we hope will help and inspire you in your work. If you need more inspiration along the way, we encourage you to read three exciting case examples that we have gathered on the front page. They might help you set the scene for your ambition and sustainable planning process. 

Wonderful Copenhagen’s ambition for 2030 is that tourism in Greater Copenhagen positively impacts local and global sustainable development. That is why we are truly happy that you have made it this far and have taken the first steps towards making your event in more sustainable. We hope this guide, that you are about to explore, will assist and encourage you and your team to push the boundaries for making ambitious sustainable events and help you in planning an event or congress with lasting sustainable impact.