Net Zero Carbon Events: An industry initiative to address climate change
About the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative
The Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) initiative is a global industry effort, hosted by JMIC, aimed at uniting stakeholders across the events value chain to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The initiative was launched at COP26 in Glasgow in response to the urgent need for climate action within the events sector.
AC Forum has joined the NZCE
AC Forum has proudly joined the global sustainability movement by officially signing the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) Pledge during a festive signing ceremony held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow on 17 January 2025. This significant milestone was celebrated as part of the AC Forum Annual Meeting, hosted at a venue with deep historical ties to the NZCE initiative, which was launched during COP26 at the SEC.
The addition of AC Forum to the NZCE signatory ranks marks a important moment for the campaign, given AC Forum’s unique position as a collective of prominent international associations, many of which operate outside the traditional business events scope. NZCE anticipates that AC Forum’s involvement will inspire its member organisations to embrace the pledge, amplifying the reach and impact of this global effort to achieve net zero carbon emissions in events by 2050.
By joining the initiative as a partner supporter AC Forum commits to:
- Jointly communicating the industry’s commitment to tackling climate change.
- Developing common methodologies for measuring direct, indirect, and supply chain greenhouse gas emissions.
- Constructing an industry-wide roadmap towards net zero by 2050, with interim emissions reduction targets by 2030.
- Collaborating with suppliers and customers to ensure alignment and common approaches.
- Establishing mechanisms for reporting progress and sharing best practices.
James Rees, President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), which hosts NZCE on behalf of the industry says: “Having AC Forum sign the NZCE Pledge underscores the campaign’s growing influence beyond the immediate business events industry. We believe this will pave the way for further association members to engage and champion sustainability within their own communities.”
Alexander Alles, Executive Director of JMIC, adds: “The commitment of AC Forum to the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge is a significant advancement for our industry. Their leadership sets a powerful example, encouraging associations worldwide to integrate sustainable practices into their event planning and execution.”
For AC Forum, signing the NZCE Pledge reflects its commitment to being part of a truly international movement dedicated to environmental sustainability. The NZCE initiative has become a key driver in bringing clarity, practical tools, and a unified approach to reducing environmental impact across the global events ecosystem.
Ben Hainsworth, President of AC Forum, expressed his enthusiasm about this milestone: “By joining the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, AC Forum is not only reinforcing its dedication to sustainability but also aligning itself with a collaborative, global effort, which is completely in line with the Paris Agreement. The pledge offers a clear framework for action, and I am confident it will resonate with AC Forum members and encourage wider participation in this crucial mission.”
The choice of the SEC as the venue for this important announcement further underscored the significance of the moment. As the birthplace of the NZCE initiative, the SEC embodies the spirit of innovation and commitment needed to drive meaningful change in addressing climate challenges.
Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales at the SEC, remarks: “Hosting the signing ceremony at the SEC, the birthplace of the NZCE initiative which was launched during COP26, was a proud moment. We are ready to support AC Forum and all the member organisations who are dedicated to making impactful changes towards a more sustainable future for association conferences”.
