The Event Organisers Sector Supplement allows event organisers to report on sustainability issues that are relevant to the industry, such as attendee travel and legacy of an event, in addition to more widely applicable issues such as greenhouse gas emissions.
The guidance covers the complete project life cycle of an event, and the supplement can be used to report before or after an event has taken place.
Maaike Fleur, senior manager reporting framework at the Global Reporting Initiative, said: "Over the last ten years there has been a growing interest in the ‘greening’ of events. Public sustainability reporting is still quite a new concept for event organisers, but we anticipate that this new guidance will help them be more transparent about the impacts of their activities."
Phil Cumming, corporate sustainability manager at London 2012, said sustainability is an "integral consideration" in planning and delivering the 2012 Games.
"Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change. We want to set new standards and create a powerful knowledge legacy for more sustainable event management. GRI’s supplement will play a key role in achieving these aims."
Meegan Jones, president of Sustainable Event Alliance, added: "The events industry has been in need of such guidance for a long time and this can only mean a step in the right direction – towards a more transparent and sustainable industry."
Volunteers from events companies, governments, labour and civil society organisations were brought together to develop the guidance.
What do you think of the supplement? Is there any part of it that you think needs further clarification? Register and let us know.
For a more in-depth look at how this and other initiatives will affect sustainability of the industry see our special report in the .