The United Kingdom government has recently selected BSI, the business improvement and standards company to evaluate the G7 summit and COP26 events against the international sustainability standard ISO, 20121. This service was published at the time of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics and was inspired by BS 8901.
World leaders will come together for G7 Summit and COP26 to address important issues that shape the world we live in. The sustainability of both events will be evaluated against the ISO 20121 sustainable Events Management System which outlines the best practice management system requirements for an event’s sustainability, in its preparation, execution and legacy.
For the planning of both events, BSI will work beside the event organizers and will independently evaluate the products, activities and service materials that include the sustainability measures beyond their venue facilities, supply chains, the post-event challenges such as waste management and the event’s sustainability transport decisions.
COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, said: “The world faces some intense challenges and our best hope of addressing them is if we collaborate and share solutions globally. Climate change is among the most urgent of those challenges, and so it is vital that we bring world leaders together in a sustainable way. I am delighted that BSI will be working with us to ensure that the G7 and COP26 are delivered in a way that respects the planet we are working hard to protect.”
Martin Townsend, Global Head of Sustainability at BSI, said: “As Covid-19 restrictions are eased and the events industry opens up a growing societal pressure to demonstrate good practice is being placed on organizations. It is becoming increasingly important to minimize environmental, social and economic impacts and the industry must use this next normal as an opportunity to build back better and make the events they host sustainable, ethical and responsible.
“It is fantastic to see ISO 20121 being implemented against two high-profile, global events. We hope that this demonstrates the UK’s position as a driving force in sustainable events and highlights the importance of incorporating strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of these activities.”
source – https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/media-centre/press-releases/2021/june/bsi-selected-by-uk-government-to-certify-g7-summit-and-cop26-events-against-sustainability-standard/
