We asked sustainability experts in the meeting and event industry to tell us about sustainability trends event planners should be paying more attention to in 2025, from certification to evolving regulations to measuring carbon footprints.

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Sustainability certification is finally reaching a tipping point and gaining traction. There are multiple options to cover the entire event ecosystem. Certifications save a lot of time and effort on the part of planners because rather than shop a laundry list of sustainability features, planners can opt for certified venues. Everyone loves bragging rights and certifying an event or venue or destination is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd.

Aurora Dawn Benton
Founder
Astrapto 

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Planners need to understand the regulations that have launched in 2024 and in 2025. The EU launched the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in 2024, and California implements SD253 in 2025. This effects a lot of what we do in the industry, especially on the corporate events side. Planners will start to hear more and more from their internal sustainability departments requiring them to report on the emissions of their events. As a planner, if you haven’t started to understand what and how your event creates emissions, this is your call to action. It’s time to start and to seriously implement a strategy for reduction and tracking. 

Courtney Lohmann, CMP 
Founder
Courtney Stanley Consulting LLC

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Sustainability has become a fundamental aspect of modern event planning. However, in 2025 and beyond, event planners will need to increasingly adopt circular economy principles to gain a competitive advantage and to adhere to upcoming sustainability regulations. To significantly minimize waste and reduce the overall environmental impact, more responsible materials such as modular booths and compostable decorations should be utilized for every event.

We see movement in data tools and smart measurement approaches. Many tools available today can help in optimizing transport and logistics emissions and reduce energy use. They also help to predict waste and track sustainability metrics in real-time, which is crucial for accurate reporting. These advancements are essential for promoting responsible event practices worldwide.

Milda Salciute
Director of Events and Academy
GDS-Movement

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A critical sustainability trend that business events industry stakeholders must pay close attention to is the growing importance of reporting requirements. With governments worldwide introducing stricter regulations, more businesses will be affected. This shift not only emphasizes accountability but also offers businesses an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by transparently showcasing their efforts to address climate challenges.

Additionally, the emphasis on measuring the carbon footprint of events will intensify. Accurate and detailed measurement will become a cornerstone of sustainable event management, driving planners to adopt advanced tools and methodologies to track emissions comprehensively. Preparing for these requirements now will not only ensure compliance but also position organizations as leaders in sustainable practices.

Alexander Alles
Executive Director
Joint Meetings Industry Council (which leads the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative for the industry)