Identity Week Europe has been awarded a full 20/20 score in the Event Sustainability Plan Initiative, which recognises the event’s unparaelled commitment to environmental responsibility, social impact, and sustainable innovation.
This perfect score is the result of months of dedicated planning, cross-team collaboration, and the implementation of initiatives that supported start-ups, empowered underrepresented voices, and reduced the event’s overall environmental footprint.
Driving innovation and sustainable development
This year’s event created a platform to promote innovation entering the marketplace as well as from established stakeholders. Highlights included a thriving Start-up City and Pitching Competition and the Transformative Women Initiative, which underscored the event’s commitment to showcasing new talent and promoting diversity. We also partnered with several not-for-profit organisations, such as Women in Identity and the Kantara Initiative, providing complimentary exhibition space and speaking opportunities to elevate their work and expand their reach.
Stronger sustainability communication
The marketing team delivered an outstanding sustainability communications strategy, sharing guidance on low-carbon travel, local Amsterdam experiences, and sustainable accommodation choices through emails, the event website, and LinkedIn. Internally, sustainability became a driving force behind decision-making, with the team opting for green hotels, reusing major stage assets for the third year running, and encouraging low-carbon transport such as the Eurostar.
Sustainability was fully embedded into post-event reporting, ensuring lessons learned and achievements are documented for future improvement.
Environmental responsibility through measured action
The event advanced its environmental credentials through a series of important steps:
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100% of Scope 3 carbon data was collected and entered into TRACE and Salesforce.
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Venue energy data was captured, and LED lighting was used across shell schemes and stage sets.
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Carpets and key materials were recyclable or reusable, with stage sets reused for three consecutive years.
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Waste tracking was completed by the venue, with signage stored for future use.
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Attendees and staff were supported with eco-friendly hotel options and communications encouraging sustainable travel modes such as trains, e-scooters, and public transport.
Priority was given to suppliers with strong sustainability credentials, including those operating under no single-use plastic policies.
Social impact, diversity, and accessibility
We extended our sustainability goals beyond environmental measures by supporting the local community, promoting tourism, and ensuring the event was accessible to all. This included offering dedicated wheelchair spaces, accessible venue routes, and delivering a gender-diverse speaker programme with notable representation across leadership sessions.
Attendee and staff wellbeing also formed a key focus as we ensured plenty of water stations, healthy food options, and clear wellbeing support were accessible around the venue. All required sustainability data was collected across suppliers and partners, meeting governance standards and ensuring transparency.
A benchmark for sustainable events
Our recognition reflects the practical actions taken on-site by the core organising team and our dedication to being led by sustainable practices in our planning process with supplier relationships. We are extremely honoured by the perfect score we received and to be able to set a new standard for responsible event delivery across the whole industry.
