This one-day course provides a comprehensive introduction to ISO 20121:2024, guiding participants through the essential terms, principles, and core requirements of the standard, including its Annexes. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, attendees will explore how the various clauses of ISO 20121:2024 interconnect and address sustainability issues.

Participants will learn to set key performance indicators (KPIs) for their events, understand the importance of onboarding ethical suppliers, and support human rights requirements. The course covers the entire event life cycle, from planning to decommissioning, offering insights into ISO 20121:2024's four core values: transparency, stewardship, inclusivity, and integrity.

Course Aim

The aim of this course is to give you an understanding of how to manage event sustainability to take account of social, environmental and ethical considerations including human rights of people involved in the creation of your events.

The course outlines the requirements of ISO 20121:2024 – Event Sustainability Management Systems – Requirements with guidance for use - and forms a good foundation for transitioning to more sustainable business practices.

ISO 20121 was first issued in 2012 in time for the London Olympic Games, who achieved the standard and as part of their legacy, the International Olympic Committee mandated the application of the standard for all future summer and winter games.

In the context the climate crisis, the recent global pandemic, and socio-economic and geo-political challenges, the sports and events sector have realized their social, environmental and economic impact is too big to ignore, and stakeholder demand for “greener” events that also place emphasis on legacy, social value, and creating meaningful interactions with the communities in which they operate, has taken precent.

As society aims to limit Global temperature rise to below 1.5 ⁰C in accordance with the Paris agreement, International standards have also put issues such as climate change and decarbonization at the forefront of management systems. The 2024 edition also tackles social sustainability issues, including human rights concerns such as those of child and migrant workers, mental health, and enhanced alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ISO 20121:2024 is applicable across all areas of the event industry, from small to medium-sized stand-building companies to event organizers, planners, venues, and key suppliers such as catering, ticketing, audiovisual, and security companies. Everyone plays a role in ensuring sustainability is integrated into event delivery. This standard is not just intended for organizations managing large-scale events; it is truly designed for anyone involved in the event sector.

How will I benefit?

This course will help you:

• Comprehend the key principles and components of an event sustainability management system (ESMS)
• Identify key significant issues related to your events, and how to set objectives and targets with meaningful key performance indicators
• Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability, which can improve public perception and attract eco-conscious attendees, sponsors, and partners
• To streamline processes and improve efficiency, through better resource management and sustainable practices, leading to smoother event execution

What will I learn?

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain what an Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS) is, why it’s important, and the benefits of implementing it, including the role of the supply chain
• Describe the background, key concepts, processes, and core requirements of ISO 20121:2024 to support compliance and raise awareness
• Identify significant sustainability issues in events and set objectives with meaningful KPIs for continual improvement in social, environmental, and economic performance
• Connect ISO 20121:2024 with other relevant standards, such as ISO 14001, ISO 14064-1, and ISO 9001, to integrate sustainability practices
• Support the use of annual data sets for corporate reporting, including ESG issues, carbon footprinting, and diversity and inclusion metrics

Embed ongoing real-time improvements in event sustainability practices  

Who should attend?

Those who manage, organize, fund, or license events and who are looking to improve the sustainability of those events. The course is aimed at event planners, event venue providers, event catering teams, event security, event suppliers including audio visual, ticketing, flora, graphic design, exhibition stand design, event medical providers, volunteer managers for both small to medium and large/major events. We recommend delegates who may be familiar with previous iterations to upgrade to this 2024 version for completeness of understanding.

Duration

One day

How will I learn?

Our high impact accelerated learning methodology improves knowledge retention and skill development. This course is interactive and activity-based, resulting in a deeper understanding of the content and more effective application in the workplace.

What will I gain?

On completion, you’ll be awarded an internationally recognized BSI Training Academy certificate.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this course, however an awareness and understanding of management systems, and sustainable development concepts and principles would be an advantage.

Related training

Related courses include introduction to management systems, the harmonized approach and associated management system training on environmental, energy and health and safety management systems.