What does creating a sustainable event really mean?

In 1987, the United Nations agreed on the definition of sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability can mean a whole range of things to different people. Labels such as plastic free, organic, fair trade and others, contribute to the overall sustainability of a product or service, yet when used in isolation, only represent one part of the picture.Think of sustainability as a restaurant kitchen. There are many different roles and skills required to run the kitchen; Chef de cuisine (Head Chef), Pâtissier (Pastry Chef), Poissonnier (Fish Chef), Saucier (Sauce Chef), Plongeur (Dishwasher). Each plays an important part in the running of the kitchen and creating a restaurant menu for its customers.

When these roles are taken out of the kitchen, they are no longer a restaurant, they’re a bakery, or dishwashing service for example. The goal with RAD is to look at sustainability not as a single action, but as a holistic way of thinking. We want to think about the triple bottom line, people, planet and profit (or in the case of a wedding, budget). Thinking about people’s experience and inclusivity is a big one, you are more likely to appeal to a wide range of attendees if you offer parking, wheelchair access, and free or low ticket pricing, but on the flip side your finances have to be sustainable too.

For a repeat event you need to think about your revenue, reinvestment, and profit, or where your event funding is coming from. Being sustainable is more than just thinking about the rubbish your event produces, it’s the big picture. Each piece playing its part and contributing to an overall lighter footprint.

TL DR; Sustainability is not only the environmental impact, it is the impact your actions have on the planet, people and economic systems.

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