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Eco Link

Eco Link is your guide to essential resources, insights, and inspiration on event sustainability. In this comprehensive guide, we offer innovative ideas, practical solutions and case studies of successful sustainable events.

We have curated this collection of trusted resources to help you plan more environmentally responsible and socially conscious events.

Sands of Meal , Shetland

© Promote Shetland / Euan Myles

Useful resources

Eco Link contains information on reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste, conserving resources, and promoting ethical practices.

You will discover how sustainable choices can enhance the attendee experience, improve stakeholder engagement, contribute to a positive global impact, and help towards Scotland's target of Net Zero emissions by 2045.

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2023

General advice and guidance

Unlock sustainable event management with industry-leading consultancies. Discover VisitScotland's Reduce Your Climate Impact Guide, setting the standard in event sustainability. These consultancies offer tailored solutions to reduce environmental impact, optimise resources, and foster positive social change, ensuring your events align with global sustainability goals.

  • Green Tourism 
  • Isla
  • Net Zero Carbon Events
  • Green Tourism (Green Meetings)
  • Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Movement
  • Event:Decision
  • Carbon Consultancy (Conference Care)
  • SME Climate Hub
  • Adaptation Scotland
  • Small99 (Carbon Reduction Plans for Small Business)
  • Keep Scotland Beautiful
  • Positive Planet

Edinburgh’s Waverley Station

Sustainable travel

Explore these essential sustainable travel resources to make your journeys eco-friendlier. From eco-conscious accommodation and green transportation options to responsible tourism guides, these resources empower you to minimise your environmental footprint and support local communities while enjoying memorable travel experiences.

  • Zero Waste Scotland Commuter Emissions calculator
  • Sustainable Travel International
  • Sustainable & Responsible Tourism in Scotland | VisitScotland

Croft36

Food and beverage

Discover valuable sustainable food and beverage resources to make your event's catering more eco-friendly. From local and organic sourcing to reducing food waste and promoting plant-based options, these resources provide insights and strategies for creating delicious and sustainable culinary experiences.

  • Good Food Scotland
  • Net Zero and The Environment | Scotland Food & Drink
  • IMEX sustainability policy
  • FareShare

Loch Lubnaig

Waste and reusable materials (circular economy)

Explore practical waste and reusable resources to minimize your event's environmental impact. Discover innovative waste management strategies, such as recycling and composting, along with reusable solutions like water stations, eco-friendly utensils, and sustainable event signage.

  • Circular Economy | Zero Waste Scotland
  • Circular Scotland - Scotlink
  • IMEX sustainability policy
  • Event Cycle
  • Change Waste Recycling (Commercial Waste Disposal Services)

Discovery Point and RRS Discovery

Combining business and leisure

Discover the perfect blend of business and leisure travel in the events industry. Explore how to seamlessly integrate networking opportunities and professional development with unique experiences and relaxation, creating a balanced and rewarding event for attendees that combines work and leisure in one unforgettable package.

  • Forbes article on Bleisure
  • Extent your trip
     

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2023

Destination specialists

Tap into the expertise of business event destination specialists to plan successful and impactful corporate gatherings. These resources provide comprehensive insights into ideal event destinations, local venues, accommodations, and support services, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for your attendees.

  • GDS Movement
  • Event Sustainability Advice | VisitScotland

Trees for Life volunteers in Glen Affric

© Trees for Life

Corporate Social Responsibility and community based activities

Engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community-based activities with these valuable resources. Discover meaningful ways to give back to the local community through volunteering, charity partnerships, and sustainable initiatives, fostering positive social impact while creating a memorable event experience.

  • Green Team
  • Invisible Cities
  • Cyrenians
  • RSPB
  • Scotland: The Big Picture

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2023

Sustainable strategies for venues and event businesses

Implement sustainable strategies for venues and event businesses with these essential resources. Explore energy-efficient practices, waste management solutions, green procurement, and sustainable event design, enabling you to minimise environmental impact and demonstrate your commitment to a more sustainable future.

  • Isla "Pathway for Venues"
  • Event:Decision - Purpose
  • Greengage Solutions
  • Green Tourism (Green Meetings)
  • Positive Planet

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2023

Supply chain

Optimise your event's supply chain with these resources focused on sustainability. Discover ways to source ethically, reduce waste, and promote eco-friendly packaging and transportation, ensuring that your event operates in line with sustainable practices from start to finish

  • Event: Decision - Predict
  • ToGather (formerly Feast It)
  • Scotland Food & Drink (Supply Chain)

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2022

Events

Explore these educational events dedicated to promoting sustainable practices in the event industry. Gain insights from industry experts, learn about innovative sustainability initiatives, and discover practical strategies to create impactful and environmentally friendly events.

  • Reset Connect

We invite you to share your sustainable event practices with us, and we can all learn and grow together.

The Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve

Carbon calculators

Calculate your event's carbon footprint with these essential carbon calculators designed for the events industry. Accurately measure emissions and identify areas for improvement, enabling you to make informed decisions and take meaningful steps towards hosting more sustainable events.

  • Impala & Julie's Bicycle
  • TRACE
  • Event:Decision
  • MyClimate
  • Carbon Consultancy (Conference Care)
  • Carbon Trust (SME Carbon Footprint Calculator)

Kinclaven Bluebell Wood

Carbon literacy training

Equip yourself with carbon literacy training, which is suitable for application in the events industry. Gain the knowledge and skills to understand, measure, and reduce carbon emissions associated with events, empowering you to make informed decisions and contribute to a more sustainable future in event planning and management.

  • The Carbon Literacy Project
  • The Complete Sustainability Events Course

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2022

Sustainable event case studies

Explore these inspiring sustainable event case studies that showcase innovative approaches to reducing environmental impact and promoting social responsibility. These real-life examples demonstrate practical strategies for creating memorable events while prioritising sustainability.

Discover how these initiatives incorporate renewable energy, waste reduction, eco-friendly transportation, and community engagement to pave the way for a greener future in the event industry.

  • IMEX case study blog

Feel free to provide us with your sustainable event case studies, and together, we can foster mutual learning and development.

Journey: The Business Events Conversation 2023

Our support 

We have a specialised team dedicated to advising you on the integration of sustainability practices into your business events. Discover how business events can play a pivotal role in accomplishing the target of Net Zero emissions by 2045. Please feel free to reach out to us with any inquiries at business.events@visitscotland.com.

Kindly be aware that this page is a continual work in progress and undergoes frequent update.

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