Sustainability is becoming an essential pillar for organisations that host international events, and IFEAT is taking concrete steps to reduce and manage the environmental footprint of its global conferences. Over the past three years, the Federation has implemented a structured and continuous approach to measuring, understanding, and reducing event-related emissions, a journey carried out in collaboration with Green Future Project.
In 2023, at the Berlin Conference, IFEAT measured its carbon footprint, the total CO₂ equivalent generated by the event, for the first time using the Carbon Footprint Software. This pilot assessment, conducted with Green Future Project, marked the beginning of the collaboration and established an essential baseline for understanding IFEAT’s environmental impact.
The footprint calculation highlighted a total of 3,143 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, and to address this impact, IFEAT chose to support the Mahindra Solar Project in India, through the purchase of 3,143 VERRA-certified carbon credits.
To ensure full transparency, the results of this initiative are publicly accessible through a dedicated widget available on IFEAT’s website. Directly connected to the Climate Action Dashboard, the widget allows stakeholders to explore project details and track impact over time.
In 2024, at the Bangkok Conference, IFEAT repeated the carbon footprint calculation to ensure consistency with the 2023 pilot project and to begin building a reliable year-on-year dataset.
This continuity enables IFEAT to:
By collecting accurate and consistent data, IFEAT is laying the foundations for a measurable and accountable sustainability strategy.
In 2025, at the Gothenburg Conference, IFEAT entered the next phase of its sustainability journey.
Green Future Project began training IFEAT’s Executive Committee and internal staff to use the same carbon footprint software applied in Berlin and Bangkok, enabling the Federation to progressively take the lead in managing future assessments independently.
Data collection for the Gothenburg Conference has been completed and is currently being processed and consolidated to identify the main sources of emissions and areas where meaningful reductions can be implemented.
This phase represents a significant evolution: from external assessment to internal capability-building, ensuring long-term continuity and ownership of IFEAT’s sustainability strategy.
The organisation is committed to:
By adopting this integrated strategy, IFEAT aims to make its global events increasingly responsible, transparent, and aligned with international sustainability standards.
IFEAT’s journey demonstrates that sustainable events are not built on one-off initiatives, but on structured measurement, consistent data collection, and long-term strategic commitment.
From establishing a baseline to developing internal capability, this three-year pathway shows how international organisations can move from intention to measurable impact, while strengthening transparency, credibility, and accountability along the way.
For organisations hosting global conferences, exhibitions, or large-scale gatherings, the question is no longer whether sustainability should be addressed, but how to do so in a rigorous, data-driven, and transparent manner.
If you would like to explore how to measure, manage, and reduce the environmental footprint of your events, our team at Green Future Project is ready to support you.
Get in touch with us to start building your sustainable events strategy.