Net Zero Carbon Events Reviews Strategy Five Years After Launch

The Net Zero Carbon Events initiative (NZCE) is reviewing its strategy and governance as it enters its sixth year, seeking to strengthen practical decarbonisation efforts and respond to the evolving needs of a membership that has more than tripled since its launch in 2021.

The initiative presented its plans for the future at IMEX America in Las Vegas on 14 October, marking five years of collaboration across the events value chain. Its renewed direction follows the appointment of Johanna Fuhlendorf as Programme Director in June 2026, a move intended to increase its capacity to support the industry’s transition towards net zero.

“The 5-year anniversary has been a unique opportunity to take stock,” said James Rees, President of JMIC. “NZCE is now reworking its strategy and governance structure to reflect the additional capacity enabled by our new Programme Director, as well as the ever-evolving legislative landscape, and the increasingly diverse needs of our global group of members, which has more than tripled since NZCE’s launch in 2021.”

Since its establishment, NZCE has worked to develop common approaches to decarbonisation, bringing together stakeholders from across the events industry to ensure that guidance reflects operational realities. With a shared framework now in place, the initiative is shifting its focus towards practical implementation.

This next phase will include more opportunities for members to exchange knowledge and develop their capabilities. NZCE plans to introduce a monthly newsletter providing updates on its projects, free quarterly webinars and additional guidance documents offering step-by-step support for decarbonisation. Initial training will focus on venues, with further parts of the events value chain to follow.

“Members can expect increased engagement, including regular updates about NZCE’s latest projects via the new monthly newsletter,” said Johanna Fuhlendorf, Programme Director of NZCE. “We will offer enhanced training opportunities, such as free quarterly webinars and additional guidance documents that provide step by step instructions for decarbonization. The first round of trainings will focus on venues, with other parts of the value chain to follow.”

The importance of collaboration is reflected in the experience of early supporters such as New York’s Javits Center, which joined the initiative in 2021. The venue has introduced solar energy, achieved a 44% waste diversion rate and measured its Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

“Since joining NZCE in 2021, Javits Center has been proud to share what we’ve learned while learning from others committed to moving our industry forward,” said Joyce Leveston, President and CEO of the Javits Center. “From installing solar energy and achieving a 44% waste diversion rate to measuring our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, we believe progress comes from action and collaboration. We welcome Johanna and look forward to helping NZCE expand its impact globally, particularly across North America.”

Looking ahead, NZCE is inviting existing members to participate in a supporter satisfaction survey due to launch later this year. The feedback will help inform the initiative’s strategic priorities for the coming years, giving members an opportunity to shape its future direction.
 

The initiative is also welcoming new members. Further information is available on the NZCE website.
 

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