Wie können Eventmanager ihre Veranstaltungen an den UN-Zielen für nachhaltige Entwicklung ausrichten?

Aligning events with the UN SDGs is pivotal for sustainability and social impact. The SDGs offer a universal roadmap addressing critical global challenges until 2030. By integrating SDGs into event planning, managers demonstrate commitment to addressing issues like climate change and gender equality. This alignment attracts sponsors and participants while fostering positive impacts on stakeholders and communities. Embracing the SDGs not only enhances event relevance but also contributes to a more sustainable future.

SDGs matter because they provide clear "small" yet huge objectives that anyone can try to align with, no matter how small or young an event planning company is. Planning our events according to one SDG or more can create a chain effect with a massive impact towards sustainability.

Podemos citar vários exemplos, mas vou mencionar o primeiro se referindo como pensamos nisso na HubMulher. Alinhamos nossos eventos com a ODS 5 da ONU ao estabelecer metas claras de igualdade de gênero desde o início do planejamento. Escolhemos locais acessíveis e seguros, garantimos uma representação equitativa de mulheres e homens nos painéis de discussão, e destacamos vozes femininas em áreas tradicionalmente dominadas por homens. Criamos espaços seguros para networking, organizamos workshops de liderança e empreendedorismo, e facilitamos programas de mentoria. Com isso, promovemos a inclusão, o empoderamento e o desenvolvimento profissional das mulheres, contribuindo para uma sociedade mais justa e igualitária.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global objectives aimed at addressing challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental protection by 2030. They matter for event management as events can significantly impact communities and the environment. Aligning with SDGs, event managers can promote responsible resource use, reduce waste, and encourage inclusivity. Events can also raise awareness on issues like climate action, gender equality, and social justice, making them catalysts for positive global change. Integrating SDGs boosts an event's social impact, sustainability, and relevance.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global objectives set by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. They matter for events because they provide a framework for organizers to contribute to sustainability, enhance community engagement, and promote responsible practices. Integrating SDGs into event planning can attract attendees who value sustainability and improve the overall impact of the event on society and the environment. Ultimately, they help create a positive legacy and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

The first thing all Event Organizers have to do is familiarize themselves with the UN SDGs. There is definitely at least one out of 17 SGDs that fit your event. The best ways of knowing more about SDGs is to go through 1. the hundreds of publications done by UN and freelance experts and 2. to participate in educational/enlightening seminars, workshops, and "events" organized by the UN and its representative organizations. For large-scale events having a "Sustainability" department is a must and plays a crucial role in making sure events are organized in a way to minimizes all kinds of waste and contributes to the next ones.

Choosing the right SDGs for your event begins with understanding the core objectives of both the event and the SDGs. Identify which goals resonate most with your event's theme, audience, and impact. For example, a tech conference might focus on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), while a health summit could align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Conduct stakeholder consultations to ensure alignment and foster collaboration for maximum impact.

Selecionar os ODS certos requer uma análise estratégica dos temas e stakeholders do evento. Avalie os objetivos principais e o impacto potencial dos fornecedores para definir quais ODS são mais relevantes. Priorize aqueles que podem ser mais bem monitorados e gerenciados, e estabeleça metas claras e mensuráveis para guiar as ações. Exemplo Prático: Em um evento de tecnologia, o ESG Pulse ajudou a escolher fornecedores comprometidos com o ODS 9 - Indústria, Inovação e Infraestrutura, garantindo que o evento promovesse soluções inovadoras e sustentáveis.

To align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), event managers should first assess their event's purpose, audience, and impact areas. Choose SDGs that naturally align with these factors. For example, if the event promotes innovation or industry growth, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) is relevant. A community festival might focus on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) or SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Prioritize SDGs that resonate with your stakeholders, then set specific goals and actions to drive impact, ensuring the event contributes meaningfully to sustainability efforts.

One thing I have found helpful when doing the stakeholder analysis is to do it objectively, assigning numbers to each idea, let the ideas flow into a funnel like channel, then ultimately understand that it is the process that matters, how each one of the stakeholders shine like a lightbulb to each one of them, forming a unified summary wherein youve got to choose the specific SDG.

One of the SDGs that is often overlooked in event planning is Goal 4: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all." Events are often held in cities without deeply engaging with the host community. A wonderful way to include Goal 4 (which is also known to be a primary driver of progress across all 17 SDGs) is to sponsor tickets for your event for young people. Then, work on creating a safe space for them to connect meaningfully with the other attendees, and help them to curate an experience that has the potential to propel them forward.

A best practice is to establish a purpose for your organization and events. The UN Sustainable Development Goals can be a great resource in the process as they can ground your purpose in the world’s most urgent to-do list and connect your event to a bigger movement for change. I encourage you to engage your stakeholders and ask: • Which SDGs could we contribute to if we were wildly successful? • Which SDGs could we credibly align with our purpose and values? • How would we measure performance progress in these areas? • What partnerships make sense for us to establish to address those SDGs? The answers to these questions can guide your planning, operations, supply chains, performance measurement, and communications in the years to come.

To integrate the SDGs into event planning, start by embedding sustainability goals from the outset. Identify relevant SDGs, then set measurable objectives, like reducing waste (SDG 12) or promoting gender equality (SDG 5). Choose sustainable venues, eco-friendly vendors, and minimize resource use. Incorporate inclusive practices, such as diverse speaker panels and accessibility features (SDG 10). Engage attendees with SDG-focused content through workshops or awareness campaigns. Post-event, measure success against SDG benchmarks and share results to inspire further action. Sustainable choices in planning and execution ensure alignment with the SDGs throughout the event lifecycle.

Os gestores de eventos podem alinhar suas iniciativas aos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) da ONU ao identificar quais ODS são mais relevantes para seu evento. Integre práticas sustentáveis no planejamento, como redução de resíduos, uso de materiais recicláveis e escolha de fornecedores que também adotem práticas sustentáveis. Durante a execução, promova ações que envolvam a comunidade local e eduque os participantes sobre a importância dos ODS. Após o evento, meça e relate o impacto gerado, mostrando como o evento contribuiu para esses objetivos.

En muchos aspectos, a fin de reducir costes, se trabaja con esquemas de producción eficientes, pero estos también deben ser sostenibles. Evitar el consumo irresponsable de los participantes de un evento o realizar producciones con materiales reutilizados o reciclables reduce el posible impacto negativo, logrando más con menos.

The event sector is a powerful tool for communication, and the event’s purpose is crucial. With SDGs in mind, events can be designed to serve a purpose and not just for the sake of attendance. If event planners adopt this approach, it can create a new narrative for the event sector.

Leveraging the SDGs can enhance your event's success and reputation by showcasing commitment to sustainability and global progress. Promote your event’s alignment with SDGs in marketing to attract eco-conscious attendees, sponsors, and partners. Highlight specific SDG goals, like climate action (SDG 13) or reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and showcase how your event actively supports them. Demonstrating SDG alignment builds credibility, boosts social responsibility, and can generate media coverage. Post-event, share measurable outcomes related to the SDGs, reinforcing your event's positive impact and setting it apart as a leader in sustainability.

Todos los ODS, incluido el 14 que corresponde a la vida submarina (en ciudades con mar o con río), resultan de aplicación a la reputación del evento, pudiendo realizar pequeñas contribuciones o guiños para que la audiencia perciba esa sensibilidad y se identifique con la consecución del éxito en el evento. Especialmente recomiendo potenciar los siguientes ODS: 2 (hambre cero), 3 (salud y bienestar), 5 (igualdad de género), 8 (trabajo decente y crecimiento económico) y 11 (ciudades y comunidades sostenibles).

Highlight your event's alignment with the SDGs as a key selling point and value proposition. Emphasize the positive impact your event will have on advancing sustainable development goals and enhancing its reputation as a socially responsible event.

Highlighting your SDG efforts attracts attendees passionate about social impact. This creates a stronger event community, fuels positive word-of-mouth promotion, and positions you as a leader in responsible event execution. Remember, transparency is key – showcase your initiatives and results to build trust and inspire future collaborations.

Several events have successfully aligned with the SDGs. For instance, the COP26 climate summit focused on SDG 13 (Climate Action), driving global climate agreements. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics prioritized sustainability by using renewable energy (SDG 7) and promoting gender equality (SDG 5). SXSW has integrated SDG 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure) by featuring tech innovations for sustainable development. Additionally, the Global Citizen Festival directly supports SDGs like poverty reduction (SDG 1) and clean water access (SDG 6) by raising awareness and funds for related causes. These events show how SDGs can shape impactful, globally responsible gatherings.

Examples of events that have aligned with the SDGs include the "Second Regional Workshop on Applications of Juncao Technology and its Contribution to the Achievement of Sustainable Agriculture and the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa" and the "UN Ocean Conference 2025". The Asia Society has also organized globally focused projects based on the SDGs, which are aligned to various educational standards

COP events have shown a deep commitment to sustainability and the SDGs. At COP26 in Glasgow, there was a real focus on reducing the event's carbon footprint. They used a carbon calculator to track and minimize emissions and encouraged attendees to use bikes and electric vehicles, aligning with SDGs 7 and 11. The event also embraced sustainable practices, like using renewable energy and recyclable materials, in line with SDG 12. These efforts highlight how COP makes sustainability a core part of its planning and execution, ensuring that the event itself reflects the goals it promotes.

Eventos como o Festival Global de Ação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável e a COP mostram o impacto positivo de alinhar-se aos ODS. No Fórum Econômico Mundial, os ODS 13 e 9 são centrais, enquanto o Social Good Summit explora como a tecnologia ajuda no ODS 10. Exemplo Prático com ESG Pulse: O ESG Pulse integra os eixos Ambiental (E), Social (S) e Governança (G). No evento "Conexão 2024", monitorou práticas do ODS 12 e 13 (E), com foco na redução de carbono, além de apoiar o ODS 10 (S) com fornecedores inclusivos e o ODS 16 (G) com boas práticas de governança. Isso reduz riscos e gera relatórios que conectam o impacto do evento aos ODS, fortalecendo sua sustentabilidade e governança.

Look for inspiration from other events that have successfully aligned with the SDGs. Case studies and examples can provide valuable insights and ideas for incorporating sustainable practices into your own events.