IUCN is dedicated to leading by example and committed to organising events more sustainably. The IUCN World Conservation Congresses in 2016 (Hawai’i, USA) and 2021 (Marseille, France) achieved ISO 20121 for the event sustainability and management system, an international recognition for efforts to minimise their environmental impacts. To ensure that best standard practices are aligned across IUCN events, IUCN is currently drafting a best-in-class global events sustainability policy. This policy will cover travel, venue operations, catering, waste, digital waste, among other topics.
At the IUCN IUCN Leaders Forum 2022, participants compensated 86% of on-site CO2 emissions; at the IUCN Leaders Forum 2023, 100% of CO2e linked to the organisation and the attendance to the event (including transportation to the event) have been offset. Details about the IUCN Leaders Forum 2023 sustainability approach and results are available in the Forum’s sustainability report.
Following a successful collaboration with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement on the global sustainability approach for the IUCN Leaders Forum 2023, IUCN renews this collaboration and its commitment to sustainable event practices for the IUCN Leaders Forum 2024. The event sustainability approach will soon be available on this webpage.
Read our IUCN Leaders Forum 2023 Sustainability Report for details on results and reporting from the 2023 Leaders Forum.
Find out more about Palexpo’s sustainability initiatives here.
Offsetting carbon emissions
For each IUCN Leaders Forum, we invite participants to contribute to nature conservation by offsetting the carbon emissions associated with their participation in the event. This includes the emissions generated by travel as well as those generated onsite by the event itself.
The calculation is based on the average Carbon Footprint per person from the previous IUCN Leaders Forum held at the International Convention Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2023 as well as on the city of departure and the means of transportation of each delegate.
Through the online registration process, participants are prompted to contribute to one of the selected projects certified by renowned international bodies like UNFCC, Gold Standard, or Verified Carbon Standard. Projects selected align with the IUCN Programme and Regions prioritizing those led by Members.
The list of projects may vary throughout the registration period and upon the Forum's conclusion when we acquire carbon credits. If any chosen project falls short of the total credits pledged by participants, IUCN will procure additional credits from other listed projects.
