Net Zero Carbon Events Appoints First Dedicated Programme Director

Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) has appointed sustainability specialist Johanna Fuhlendorf as its new Programme Director, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the global initiative as it enters its next phase of development.

The appointment is the first dedicated leadership role created specifically for NZCE since its launch in 2021 and reflects the growing scale, complexity and global reach of the programme, which now brings together more than 700 organisations across 61 countries committed to reducing the environmental impact of business events.

Fuhlendorf is no stranger to the initiative. Through her previous role at sustainability consultancy Greenview — NZCE's technical partner — she has been closely involved in some of the programme's most important developments, including the creation of its Measurement Methodology and broader efforts to improve sustainability reporting and accountability across the industry.

A new phase for the initiative

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for NZCE as the organisation expands its work on carbon measurement, reporting frameworks, validation processes, education and industry-wide collaboration.

"Since its launch, Net Zero Carbon Events has grown into a truly global movement, bringing together hundreds of organisations committed to climate action," said James Rees, President of JMIC. "Johanna has already contributed significantly to many of the initiative's most important milestones as part of her previous professional role at Greenview, the initiative’s technical partner. Her appointment provides both continuity and renewed momentum at a time when the industry is increasingly looking to NZCE for guidance, collaboration, and measurable progress."

Industry leaders say the creation of a dedicated programme leadership role reflects the increasing importance of coordinated action as organisations across the meetings and events sector work towards net zero commitments.

"As the initiative continues to grow in scale and complexity, having dedicated programme leadership becomes essential," said Dorian Kronenwerth, Executive Director of JMIC. "Johanna brings a unique combination of technical expertise, industry knowledge, and institutional understanding that will help strengthen NZCE's impact and ensure the initiative continues to deliver practical value to its signatories and the wider industry."

From strategy to implementation

For Fuhlendorf, the appointment represents an opportunity to help move the initiative from framework development towards broader implementation and measurable results.

Over the past three years, NZCE has established common methodologies and guidance designed to help organisations across the business events ecosystem measure, report and reduce emissions. The next challenge, according to many industry observers, will be ensuring consistent adoption and practical implementation across the sector.

"I am honoured to take on the role of Programme Director for Net Zero Carbon Events," said Johanna Fuhlendorf. "Having worked alongside the initiative for several years, I have seen first-hand the commitment, expertise, and collaboration across our industry. The foundations have been established, and we are now entering a phase where implementation becomes increasingly important. I look forward to working closely with our signatories, partners, and other stakeholders around the world to help turn ambition into measurable action."

Sustainability expertise

Before joining NZCE, Fuhlendorf worked at Greenview, where she supported sustainability strategy development and implementation across the hospitality and events sectors.

Earlier in her career, she worked with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), contributing to sustainability initiatives in both the tourism and textile industries, including stakeholder engagement and education activities for the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Tourism, Hotel and Event Management from Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg and a master's degree in Tourism and Sustainability from Linnæus University in Kalmar, Sweden.

Growing global influence

Hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), NZCE was established to provide a common framework for climate action across the global business events industry. Its work includes developing measurement methodologies, reporting mechanisms, educational programmes and collaborative initiatives designed to accelerate progress towards net zero emissions.

With more than 700 supporting organisations worldwide and increasing pressure on the events industry to demonstrate measurable sustainability progress, the appointment of a dedicated Programme Director signals NZCE's intention to strengthen its leadership role in shaping the sector's transition to a lower-carbon future.
 

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