All events have an environmental, economic and social impact on their geographical area, which can vary depending on the circumstances in which they are held. Therefore, it is extremely important to take into account both sustainability criteria throughout the life cycle of an event from the organisation stages to the legacy, such as the measures adopted in the commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19, as well as transparency in the calculation and communication of the event's greenhouse gas emissions, among other aspects certified at AENOR.
AENOR has 4 solutions for event certification:
This verification aims to provide organisations with a tool that generates the highest possible level of assurance in the organisation of events, demonstrating to customers, employees and the general public a commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and increasing their safety. At AENOR we are pioneers in verifying anti-COVID-19 measures.
This verification confirms that the protocols established by an organisation for the development of an event have been drawn up based on an established methodology (similar to the protocols established for COVID-19, but with significant differences in the process), based on a prior risk analysis and the existing sectoral documentation.
There is a prior assessment of the documentation and another on-site assessment during the event, to check whether the event is being carried out in accordance with this premise.
2. Certification for sustainable events
The Standard UNE-ISO 20121:2013 specifies the requirements for a sustainability management system for any type of event or related activity.
The aim of this standard is not the certification of the event, but the certification of the management system of organisations that set up events, with the aim of ensuring that those included within this scope, are managed according to sustainability criteria. This standard provides recommendations about how to comply with these requirements.
It benefits include demonstrating to third parties the public and ethical commitment to society, the environment and sustainability; the reduction of costs, thanks to the reduction of resources and the optimisation of processes, an increase in competitiveness and access to new markets that have a deeper awareness of environmental protection and respect for religious beliefs and ethical values.
3. Verification of the carbon footprint of an event
The Carbon Footprint of an event allows us to determine, assess and communicate its effect on climate change. There are currently various standards, references and guides for calculating the carbon footprint of an event. For example, GHG Protocol or the ISO 14064 greenhouse gas standard.
The object of verification is to provide independent assurance that the information submitted concerning greenhouse gas emissions, via the emissions report, is complete, i.e. accurate, coherent, transparent, and does not contain any significant discrepancies.
A complementary verification of the Carbon Footprint of an event can be done in three different ways:
The benefits include carbon footprint certification, increased credibility, coherence and transparency of quantification, monitoring and the GHG report, recognition by early action, as well as strengthening the social responsibility of the organisation.
4. Verification of the Carbon Footprint of an event
This new certification developed by AENOR is aimed at organizations that promote or manage events and adds to the list of Trustworthy Platform solutions: "Decarbonizing business activity". The CO2 Validado Carbon Footprint certificate allows event organizers to obtain the mark before their event is held.
Verification is conducted in accordance with the requirements set out in the Standards:
In addition to the review of compliance with the requirements of these standards, a threefold analysis is carried out:strategic, risk and processes.
As a result of this validation, a report is issued setting forth the results. If the assessment is considered compliant, AENOR will issue a CO2 Validado Carbon Footprint certificate, subject to the calculation of CO2 after the event.
Some related courses by AENOR:
AENOR's three solutions for the certification of events are applicable to any organisation that manage and/or supply products and services to them.
These three AENOR solutions are fully integrable with each other.
Moreover, COVID-19 Protocols for Events is integrated with the certification for the organisation of Certification of Protocols against COVID-19.
AENOR also offers a service for the verification of an organisation's carbon footprint.
Once the assessment processes have been successfully completed in each case, in accordance with the requirements/measures established, the organisation obtains:
AENOR has certified hundreds of companies in multiple sectors under the COVID-19 Protocol certification scheme. Specifically, the 2020 General Shareholders' Meeting of Banco Santander was granted the COVID-19 Protocols for events verification.
We have certified more than ten events the field of ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management. Among others, we have certified the General Shareholders Meetings of large corporations such as Banco Santander, BBVA and Red Eléctrica.
In the area of carbon footprint verification, AENOR performs annual verifications in hundreds of organisations from all sectors, many of which include reduction actions in the verified report.
AENOR has granted the AENOR Environment Mark for CO2 Calculated to over 150 product references globally.
Zurich Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Madrid certifies its carbon footprint with AENOR
Portugal