Good Events

Helping Events Deliver Credible Sustainability

Today’s events are expected to do more than provide memorable experiences. They are increasingly expected to contribute positively to destinations, local communities and the environment while demonstrating transparent and credible sustainability performance.

At the same time, sustainability communication is evolving. With new European legislation addressing environmental marketing claims, event organisers need to ensure that any sustainability claims are supported by clear evidence, measurable actions and transparent reporting.

The Good Events Certification, developed by the Good Travel Institute, provides a practical framework to help events measure, improve and independently verify their sustainability performance.

Whether you organise a festival, conference, sporting event, exhibition or cultural celebration, the Good Events tool supports continuous improvement while helping you communicate your sustainability efforts with confidence.

The certification covers the most important aspects of sustainable event management through 10 sustainability themes:

Each theme contains practical criteria covering governance, procurement, accessibility, community involvement, climate action, waste reduction, biodiversity, cultural heritage and transparent reporting.

Step 1 – Good Events Scan

The Good Events Scan is a free or low-cost self-assessment designed to help organisers understand their current sustainability performance.

The scan includes approximately 20 simple questions that provide:

• an overview of current practices
• identification of strengths
• opportunities for improvement
• guidance for future action

It is suitable for events of all sizes and types and can be completed before planning or during event preparation.

Step 2 – Good Events Certification

Organisers wishing to demonstrate credible sustainability performance can continue to the Good Events Certification.

The certification process includes:

• Independent review by a trained auditor
• Verification of supporting evidence
• Review of actions, objectives and performance indicators
• Practical recommendations for improvement
• Recognition for demonstrated sustainability performance
• Indicator reporting for measurable progress

Rather than assessing intentions alone, the certification evaluates what has been implemented and the evidence supporting those actions.

The Good Events Certification helps organisers:

The Good Events Certification can be applied to: