As global consumption and production reach unsustainable levels, urgent action is needed to secure our planet’s future. BestCities Global Alliance is stepping up, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 12 to champion responsible consumption and production in the business events industry. Discover how sustainable conference planning can drive lasting legacies and systemic change.Consumption and production patterns across the planet are escalating to unprecedented levels. Projections indicate that if the global population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, we would require resources equivalent to nearly three Earths to sustain our current lifestyles. Each day, around one billion meals’ worth of edible food are wasted. Despite urgent calls to phase out fossil fuels, public investment in the production and consumption of these harmful fuels has more than tripled since 2015, largely driven by global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, there is a rising demand for transparency in consumption and production practices. Company sustainability reporting has tripled since 2016. Sixty-two countries in the European Union have enacted 485 policies aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and production. Growing awareness of environmental impacts is catalyzing a global transition towards more sustainable practices – a movement amplified by the United Nations’s introduction of SDG Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
SDG 12 emphasizes the importance of waste reduction, efficient resource management, and the establishment of circular economies. Business events can play a pivotal role in advancing this goal by adopting eco-friendly practices, advocating for ethical sourcing, and integrating sustainability into their planning and legacy initiatives. A notable proponent for this sustainable approach to conference planning is BestCities Global Alliance, which champions the integration of legacies that enhance the host destination – whether environmentally, socially, or otherwise – beyond what it was prior to the event.
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An industry of excess
Overconsumption and waste generation are significant drivers of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Within this context, the business events industry plays a notable role, as it often operates in a resource-intensive manner. The sector generates considerable waste and emissions, primarily through activities related to travel, temporary infrastructure, catering, energy consumption, and the use of materials. A growing concern is the emergence of digital waste: while online events produce less physical waste, they still contribute to energy consumption through data centres and heightened digital engagement.
Responsible event planning is crucial to ensure economic growth doesn’t come at the expense of our environment.
From consumption to conservation: advancing SDG 12 through business events
Business events can play a significant role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 12 by implementing straightforward yet impactful changes. When a substantial number of events commit to reducing their consumption and production, the effects can resonate on a global scale. Some strategies include:
- Prioritize sustainable sourcing of materials, such as eco-friendly swag items – or, better yet, forego swag in favour of donations made in attendees’ names.
- Encourage low-carbon travel through incentives, such as discounts for public transit, carbon offsetting options, or considering hybrid or regional events.
- Choose eco-friendly venues, particularly those with sustainability certifications. Additionally, consolidating event days can help minimize energy consumption and resource use.
- Develop legacy programmes that support circular practices, such as donating leftover materials to schools or charities, fundraising for local urban gardens or circular economy initiatives, and enhancing transparency by publishing circular impact reports. This not only sets a new standard but also motives others in the industry to follow suit.
How BestCities models responsible meetings
BestCities supports SDG 12 by promoting sustainable event planning across partner cities, and encouraging events to leave a meaningful legacy. The organisation also shares best practices from sustainable experts from around the world at Community Cafés, the annual Global Forum, industry events, and other channels.
For example, at the 2024 Global Forum in Melbourne, BestCities integrated sustainability into the delegate experience through its Engage for Good challenge. By attending sessions and networking activities, participants collectively unlocked a donation to OzHarvest – Australia’s leading food rescue organisation – supporting food redistribution and reducing waste.
In addition, the BestCities Commitments endeavour to raise standards industry-wide. Each year, all 13 partner destinations are audited against BestCities’ commitments, with a goal of putting sustainability and legacy at the forefront of meeting design and advocating for higher standards. BestCities is also a pioneer in legacy measurement, developing a framework in 2020 titled Advancing Event Legacies through Impact Measurement. In 2025, BestCities, together with Strategic Membership Solutions, introduced a new report called “Purpose Under Pressure: Global Association Trends in 2025” that indicated that 70 percent of association leaders consider creating long-term impact through their events – including sustainability – as “extremely important”. Destinations supporting these goals are far more likely to win and retain business.
BestCities’ partner destinations commit to tackling overconsumption
BestCities’ partner destinations are committed to tackling the challenges of overconsumption and overproduction by incorporating sustainability into all aspects of their business events:
Copenhagen
In 2024, Copenhagen hosted the World of Coffee, an industry congress that gathered over 12,600 coffee professionals to explore the latest trends and engage in discussions about sustainability within the coffee sector. Marking the highest attendance in its European history, the event introduced the Specialty Coffee Association’s Green Coffee Connect initiative, designed to match Danish stakeholders with small producers to promote sustainability and transparency. Copenhagen Legacy Lab followed up with attendees within a year of the event and discovered that they had preserved many of the connections formed at the congress. Moving forward, CLL will continue to track and assess the lasting impact of this event over the next three years and beyond.
Dublin
In 2024, Dublin hosted the 35th International Geographical Congress, which attracted over 2,600 geographers from around the world. Organisers prioritised eco-conscious planning by incorporating a voluntary environmental levy to offset carbon emissions, offering a hybrid attendance format to reduce travel impact, and implementing sustainable catering that minimized waste and supported local producers. Field excursions, ranging from peatland restoration efforts to experiences in a Dark Sky Park, offered participants firsthand insight into Ireland’s sustainable land use and conservation practices.
Melbourne
In 2026, Melbourne will host the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference (10-12 June 2026), one of the longest-running global science and technology conferences focused on sustainable cities and infrastructure. The conference will address pressing issues, including the triple planetary crises, through a range of topics such as materials and bio-based methodologies, social and just approaches, and procurement and purchasing, among others. Fittingly, the event will be held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the first convention centre in the world to earn a 6-Star Green Star rating.
Citywide strategies to combat overconsumption
In addition to event-led examples, several BestCities destinations are setting a precedent through city-wide sustainability strategies that align with SDG 12:
Singapore:
Singapore’s MICE Sustainability Roadmap outlines bold targets aimed at enhancing sustainability within the MICE industry. Guided by the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and the UN SDGs, the roadmap seeks to establish a comprehensive set of sustainability standards by 2030.It also aims to assist MICE venues and members of the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) in achieving recognized sustainability certifications, whether international or national, by 2025, with a long-term goal of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050.
Tokyo:
The Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) has established an extensive set of sustainability guidelines specifically designed for business events in Tokyo. These guidelines serve as a valuable resource for event organisers, providing best practices and practical checklists to ensure meetings are environmentally responsible. Key areas of focus include energy and resource management, waste reduction, catering, and transportation solutions. Additionally, TCVB supports organisers through its Sustainable Event Support Desk, assisting them in implementing sustainable strategies that align with local infrastructure and the city’s broader sustainability goals.
Vancouver:
The Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) is the world’s first convention centre to achieve double LEED® Platinum certification. Committed to sustainability, the VCC boasts a six-acre living roof – Canada’s largest – with more than 400,000 indigenous plants and grasses, serving as an effective insulator to mitigate heat during the summer and winter months.. Additionally, the foundation of the West building incorporates a restored marine habitat, dramatically improving water quality in the area and fostering diverse marine life. Other sustainability elements include a black water treatment plant, a seawater heating and cooling system, and locally sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests.
Houston:
The George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) is LEED Gold-certified and regularly partners with local organisations – including food banks and schools – to promote sustainable practices aimed at recycling, reducing, and reusing waste generated during events. The GRB features innovative greenspaces, such as an herb garden and hydro gardens, and composts over 150 tonnes of food and other materials each year. Additionally, the facility uses upcycled products such as compostable utensils crafted from sugarcane and corn. Community engagement is a key focus for the GRB, exemplified by its participation in initiatives such as the Texas Conservation Alliance’s “Lights Out for Wildlife” project, which dims non-essential lighting during the peak of spring migration for birds. The GRB also prioritizes discussions with clients ahead of events to strategize on sustainability measures and coordinate post-event donations.
Towards a future of responsible consumption and production
Overproduction and overconsumption are accelerating environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social inequalities. The business events industry has a distinctive opportunity to advocate for and implement responsible production and consumption. BestCities and its partner destinations are at the forefront of this movement, embedding sustainability into every aspect of event planning, execution, and legacy. With initiatives such as carbon offsetting, zero-waste objectives, and a strong focus on education and local engagement, the principles of SDG goal 12 are vital for shaping the future of global business events.
Related Posts:
Introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Advancing Education through Business Events: BestCities’ Commitment to SDG Goal 4
Championing Gender Equality through Business Events: BestCities’ Approach to UN SDG Goal 5
Advancing Clean, Affordable Energy through Business Events: BestCities’ Commitment to SDG Goal 7
Fueling Opportunity, Advancing Economic Growth and Decent Work through Business Events
Advancing Equity through Business Events: BestCities’ Commitment to SDG Goal 10
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
