Event Sustainability Moves From Commitment to Measurable Requirement
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20th Mar, 2026
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Corporate events generate between 0.5 and two kilograms of waste per participant per day, according to sector data, as the Costa Rica Convention Center, in collaboration with Grupo República, introduces a new technical ebook aimed at helping organisers reduce the environmental impact of meetings and corporate events.
The global meetings and events industry is facing increasing scrutiny from investors, clients, and participants, particularly as expectations around environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments become more defined. Transport alone can account for up to 57% of total event-related emissions, reinforcing the need for more structured planning approaches.
More than 80% of attendees now consider sustainability a relevant factor when deciding whether to participate in an event. This shift is positioning environmental performance as both a reputational and competitive criterion for organisations and destinations.
The newly released ebook compiles data, tools, and operational recommendations designed for event organisers, venues, and corporate decision-makers. It outlines practical measures such as selecting energy-efficient venues, optimising attendee mobility, implementing integrated waste management systems, and designing more sustainable catering.
According to analysis referenced in the publication, these decisions can reduce operational emissions by up to 50%, highlighting the impact of early-stage planning on overall event performance.
“Sustainability is no longer an added value. It has become a design criterion,” said Álvaro Rojas, General Manager of the Costa Rica Convention Center. “Events now need to be planned with clear indicators for footprint reduction and resource efficiency.”
Alongside operational guidance, the publication reflects a broader shift in how corporate events are positioned within organisations. Increasingly, meetings are expected to align with international sustainability reporting frameworks, including the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2, which require companies to disclose ESG-related risks and performance.
A second report, “10 Trends for Sustainable and Responsible Corporate Events in 2026”, further examines how these requirements are reshaping the industry. It suggests that events should no longer be treated solely as logistical or networking functions, but as extensions of corporate sustainability strategies.
Among the trends identified are event-level waste reporting, the selection of venues based on environmental performance, more considered menu design, and mobility planning aimed at reducing emissions. The report also highlights the growing importance of demonstrating social impact within host communities.
The initiative has received support from organisations across the meetings and sustainability ecosystem, including the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the Costa Rica Convention Bureau, and the Costa Rican Gastronomy Foundation (FUCOGA), alongside a range of corporate partners.
Both publications are available for free download and are positioned as practical resources for professionals seeking to align event design with evolving sustainability expectations.
As regulatory frameworks and stakeholder expectations continue to evolve, the value of events is increasingly assessed not only by attendance or content, but by their measurable contribution to environmental and organisational objectives.
The ebook can be downloaded in Spanish here: https://costaricacc.com/e-book/
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