P&J Live, Aberdeen
© VisitAberdeenshire / Damian Shields
With its bold ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2045, Scotland is shaping policy and empowering the business events sector to drive tangible, long-lasting change.
Scotland’s Net Zero journey is backed by progressive policies and practical initiatives. It is a collaborative mission involving venues, suppliers, and local communities. At the heart of this shift is the understanding that every meeting, conference, or incentive experience can contribute to a greater good.
Take Aberdeen’s P&J Live, for instance. Recently awarded the A Greener Arena certification, the venue powers its on-site energy centre using local food and garden waste, operates digital ticketing systems to reduce environmental impact, and has planted 29,000 trees and shrubs to bolster biodiversity.
In Glasgow, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) continues to innovate with SEConnect, a £4 million IT infrastructure project. This investment supports greener operations through enhanced digital connectivity, helping to minimise paper use and enable smarter, more sustainable delegate experiences.
Invisible Cities Tour, Greyfriars Kirk
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Scottish organisations are driving the change
Across the country, Scottish businesses and organisations are embracing sustainability in ways that make a measurable difference.
The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) is setting the standard with its newly launched Impact Network. This initiative brings together thought leaders from business, academia, and government to collaborate on sustainable event practices and leave a legacy that extends far beyond the conference hall.
The city is also home to the Grassmarket Community Project, a shining example of social enterprise at work. Event delegates can dine here while supporting vocational training for vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, Invisible Cities offers powerful walking tours led by people who’ve experienced homelessness, turning the streets of Edinburgh into stories of hope, resilience, and social inclusion.
In Glasgow, sustainability takes a circular form. At Rags to Riches, delegates can take part in upcycling workshops that redefine waste and value.
In Scotland, nature and community go hand-in-hand. The Ethical Dairy in Aberdeenshire leads the way in regenerative agriculture, proving that food production can coexist with climate resilience. In addition, Aberdeen-based charity and social enterprise CFINE combats food waste and insecurity through a host of community-led initiatives.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre
© Scottish Storytelling Centre / Chris Scott
Events that regenerate
Scotland’s incentive itineraries feature experiences that restore, reward, and inspire. Highlights include:
- Eco-cruises on Loch Lomond
- Tree planting in the Trossachs
- Forest bathing in ancient woodlands
- Storytelling at the Scottish Storytelling Centre
These activities are designed to entertain and leave a lasting positive impact.
Accommodation partners such as The Scott Hotel in Edinburgh and Glen Dye Cabins in Aberdeenshire offer low-impact luxury that blends local heritage with environmental stewardship.
Enjoy food with purpose, whether it’s plant-based dining at Soul Food Kitchen, ethically sourced breakfast at KAF Coffee, or community-driven lunches at the Grassmarket Community Project.
