- The events industry is traditionally emissions-heavy
GES UK
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5.4K tCO2e (location-based) / 4177 tCO2e (market-based) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Reduced HGV road miles and emissions by 50% by moving offices and warehouses onsite at the NEC Birmingham and ExCel London
- 35% of forklifts are electric (zero emissions during operation)
- Reduced waste caused by damage and excess packaging from stand services due to operational improvements
- Completed a cradle to gate assessment of some high-carbon materials
- Funded the planting of 438 trees
- Achieved ESSA Gold Sustainability Accreditation
- ISO20121 compliant
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Develop a Supply Chain Management Plan (by end of 2024)
- Conduct a Scope 1-3 carbon footprint (by end of 2024)
- Evaluate the footprint of events (by end of 2024)
- Decrease overall waste and increase recyclable waste (by end of 2024)
- Run a company-wide challenge to encourage biodiversity around offices (by end of 2024)
📅 Medium-term
- Roll out digital platforms to 80% of shows (by 2025)
- Increase percentage of electric forklifts to 100% (by 2025)
- Investigate post-event footprint reporting (by 2025)
- Have 50% more sustainably accredited materials in portfolio (by 2025)
- Increase EV charging for forklifts and LGVs (by 2025)
🔭 Long-term
- Achieve B Corp Certification (2026 and beyond)
- Close the gender pay gap (2026 and beyond)
- Launch Graduate Training Programme (2026 and beyond)
- Offer a variety of apprenticeships (2026 and beyond)
- Deliver Net Zero events by 2050
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
EnvironmentSocialGovernance