The global issue of CSR, and in particular carbon emissions, is becoming increasingly important. Why is it so important to implement an environmental policy for your events?

Charles Pasquier: It’s crucial to look at carbon emissions, because in today’s climate, everyone has to take this notion of climate urgency into account. The need for a responsible approach to carbon footprinting in the design and execution of an event is undeniable. Every detail counts, and by adopting eco-responsible practices, we will be shaping a sustainable future in which meeting and bonding through events remains possible.

How is Climeet responding to this challenge?

C.P: Climeet was created by and for event industry professionals to measure all the emission categories that make up an event’s carbon footprint, and thus reduce it more effectively. Our aim is to accompany and support the entire event industry, so that it can be the first to comply with the Paris agreements. We don’t just measure the carbon footprint of events, we offer companies the tools they need to make their events more sustainable. Our solution draws its emission factors from reliable public and private sources (ADEME, BEIS, IEA, INIES…etc) and is based on the calculation methodology required by ABC (Association pour la Transition Bas Carbone). We are currently in the process of being audited by the ABC in order to receive accreditation and recognition of conformity. In short, we are committed to assessing and analyzing the carbon footprint of every event, thus raising the environmental responsibility of event organizers to a new level.

In concrete terms, how do you assess, reduce or offset carbon emissions when you’re in the events business?

C.P: Climeet makes it possible to establish in detail the GHG emissions of the categories that make up an event’s footprint (transport, energy, facilities, catering, accommodation, waste, digital elements, etc.) and thus determine, brick by brick, where reduction efforts will have the greatest impact.By proposing appropriate reduction paths, our tool goes beyond the simple role of calculator to become an impact solution, accessible to all levels of expertise, to help you master your low-carbon trajectory.

For example?

C.P: There are many examples.To take just two, if we look at the carbon cost of transport, it’s preferable to opt for an event venue that’s easily accessible by public transport, or to set up a public transport system that’s ideally as green as possible. The same goes for the catering: vegetarian and seasonal food is preferable. These are just a few examples, but what we need to remember is that the low-carbon trajectory of an event can be worked on throughout its entire life cycle, from design to post-event waste management. The idea is therefore to collect as much physical data as possible* in order to obtain a granular carbon footprint for each category. It is essential to provide information on each component of the footprint, even if the data is estimated or lacking in precision, so as to know at least the orders of magnitude, and above all to ensure that the footprint can never be underestimated.

How far have event organizers come in addressing this issue?

C.P: We’re moving in the right direction.It’s certainly a recent subject, but it’s one with enormous momentum, driven by an entire ecosystem.First of all, there are the players in the industry whose DNA is committed to eco-responsibility, or who have found it to be a differentiating factor.Then there are the companies that are pioneers in the field of CSR, and have already established a roadmap and an ambitious environmental strategy.Last but not least, the European CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) supports this dynamic by imposing new non-financial reporting obligations on companies, including scope 3 elements.Since January 1, 2024, companies with over 250 employees and generating sales of 50 million euros have been affected by this directive (i.e. ~ 50,000 EU companies). Tomorrow, all companies will have to integrate this approach.

Are some sectors more advanced than others?

C.P: Sectors that need to rely on strong relationship marketing to build customer loyalty and create long-term brand loyalty are undeniably at the forefront of this CSR approach, with the luxury goods industry leading the way, closely followed by the bancassurance sector.

When organizing an event and adopting a sustainable approach, is it important to also involve your customers or suppliers?

C.P: Stakeholder involvement is essential. When you consult a caterer, a space planner, a freight company or an event or accommodation venue, it’s important to include the carbon footprint associated with their service in their proposal. The same applies to event participants, who should be asked at the time of registration about the main means of transport used and the average distance involved. Climeet enables these stakeholders to provide the information they need to establish their associated footprint.

What is carbon offsetting?

C.P: In our context of an event’s carbon footprint, there will always be so-called residual emissions, even with a sustainable excellence approach.Companies can invest in CO2e sequestration or avoidance projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy development.This is known as carbon offsetting or carbon contribution.It’s worth noting that carbon offsetting only makes sense if you’ve first taken steps to measure and reduce your impact.
Do you have any practical advice for companies wishing to commit to an environmental policy?

The idea is to have the reflex of measuring and reducing one’s footprint by focusing on physical data, and avoiding as far as possible the temptation to use budgetary data. The best example is catering, where an eco-responsible menu (e.g. vegetarian) can be priced similarly to or better than a carbon-based menu (e.g. red meat and exotic products), and still be much lower in carbon footprint. Approaching the subject through the budget would not then make it possible to translate the decarbonization of the eco-designed menu. The many micro-reduction actions carried out will not alter the experience of event participants, but will have a considerable impact: mini-burgers replaced by vegetarian starters will make all the difference.

In other words, every gesture counts?

C.P: Yes, to keep participants on board, every gesture counts, even the seemingly insignificant ones.Today, participation in an event can be determined by its eco-responsible approach.

For you, what does it mean to be a good host?

C.P: Quite simply, it’s about maintaining a high level of event experience and doing everything possible not to distort it, while at the same time being aware of the impact we have, which we can easily optimize.