Sustainability has become a global priority, influencing everything from our daily routines to major events like sports competitions, concerts, and cultural ceremonies that attract thousands to millions of attendees annually. While sustainability in events has traditionally focused on minimizing negative impacts like waste and emissions, there is a growing realization that events can do more than just damage control. They can serve as powerful tools to inspire sustainable behaviors, foster community engagement, and even drive innovation.

For example, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics went beyond simply reducing its environmental footprint. It incorporated renewable energy sources like solar and biomass, powered the Olympic torch with clean hydrogen, and recycled 99% of its materials. The medals were made from recycled metals sourced from e-waste, and the Olympic Village was designed to transition into a hydrogen-powered town (1) (2).

Similarly, Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour, attended by 1.5 million fans, demonstrated significant sustainability efforts by cutting CO2 emissions by 50%, using electric vehicles and biofuels, and planting a tree for every ticket sold (3). Both the Tokyo Olympics and Coldplay’s tour not only reduced their carbon emissions but also offset more emissions than they generated. 

This success was driven by a clear understanding of their environmental impact, achieved through comprehensive carbon footprint calculations. By measuring their emissions, both events identified key sources and took significant steps to reduce them. This highlights the value of calculating an event’s carbon footprint. It provides actionable insights that help organizations go beyond reducing impact and actively promote sustainability in meaningful ways.

In an Indian context, some weddings are no less than global events. However, they miss calculating their environmental impacts.