Sustainability remains a priority for venues and events

The recent developments surrounding the Omnibus regulation and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) have stirred up a lot within the events and conference sector. Due to the relax­ations, many venues are no longer subject to the CSRD obligation. Does this also mean that sustainability in the sector is going to stop? Absolutely not. Sustainability remains indispensable, driven by visitor and client expectations as well as the sector’s intrinsic motivation.

The market demands sustainable choices

Although regulation can be an important incentive, the real driver of sustainability is the market itself, as consumers, companies and governments increasingly value it. Event organisers and conference organisations are consciously looking for venues that reduce their carbon footprint, work with circular materials and minimise their energy consumption. Venues that do not take sustainability seriously run the risk of being less attractive to clients.

From obligation to intrinsic motivation

Many venues do not see sustainability as a mere obligation but as an opportunity to make a positive impact. Investments in energy ­efficiency, waste reduction, green catering, and sustainable mobility are not made in vain. Organisations realise that sustainability is not only a moral choice but also a strategic one, contributing to cost savings, reputation and long-term success.

Sustainability as a defining factor

Now that the CSRD obligation no longer applies to many venues, ­sustainability could be used even more consciously as a defining ­feature. Venues that continue to invest in green innovations, sustainable partnerships and measurable impact can profile themselves as market leaders, something that guests and clients will appreciate.

Measurability and transparency

Despite the decreasing legal pressure, it’s still important for venues to make their sustainability efforts visible and measurable. Certifications such as Green Key, GSES and ISO 20121 help provide transparency and substantiate the impact, which is increasingly becoming a decisive factor in choosing a venue.

In addition, measuring the events themselves is also becoming a prio­rity. Organisations are increasingly using SaaS solutions such as the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) to map the sustainability performance of events.

Major parties and events already make use of this system: football club Atlético Madrid, SAIL Amsterdam 2025 and the Coldplay concerts in Stadio Olimpico, Rome. By using these technologies, venues and organisers can demonstrate their impact and improve it in a targeted manner, after which they can communicate the results to their stakeholders.

Sustainability as a lasting core value

The recent relaxations around CSRD do not mean the end of sustainability within the live communication sector, on the contrary. The intrinsic motivation of the sector, combined with client and visitor demands, ensures that sustainability is a permanent trend. The venues that continue to invest in sustainability will make the difference in the coming years.