ISO 20121 Standard (Event Sustainability)

ISO 20121 (full name ISO 20121:2012, Event sustainability management systems – Requirements with guidance for use) is a voluntary International Standard for sustainable event management created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2012. It was first adopted by the London 2012 Olympics, which acted as a catalyst for the formation of the Standard. The Standard aims to promote a proactive approach in the event industry vis-à-vis the adoption of innovative solutions for addressing sustainability issues. ISO 20121 is applicable to all events, regardless of size, location, and theme. It provides a useful framework to manage and reduce potentially negative social, economic, and environmental impacts of events, helping organizers to leave a sustainable legacy to the hosting community. Adoption of the Standard can benefit the image and reputation of the certified organization, contributing to demonstrating a high commitment toward sustainability in a credible and transparent way. It can also facilitate building strong relations with stakeholders, partners, suppliers, and local communities, thus enhancing the chances of positive event outcomes in multidimensional terms.