Carbon Offsetting at Informa Events

Attending major industry events can be a highly effective way to learn more, know more and do more.

In one place, at one time and with a single trip, there's the chance to connect with many new partners and customers, network with all your peers, experience the latest products, learn from leading experts first-hand, and much more.

As well as providing a unique and valuable experience, some Informa events also offer carbon offsetting for any flight taken to the location.

It's part of creating a positive impact not just for everyone attending, but for the environment too.

Why carbon offset?

Attending a specialist industry event can be a great way to learn, network, do business and develop professionally: meeting many different companies and people and hearing the latest knowledge in your industry, all in one place and at one time.

Events can also save time and expense, by avoiding the need to make multiple individual business trips to gain the same benefits.

Where attending an event means travelling by plane, we are also providing the chance to carbon offset any flights taken.

This is a way of compensating for the unavoidable emissions produced by the flight, minimising environmental impact and maximising the overall value of attending.

People at an event being shown something of interest

Carbon Offsetting

How does it work?

Carbon offsetting is when you compensate for the carbon emissions from your flight by paying to support a carbon saving project elsewhere, of an equivalent value.

Purchasing a carbon offset might fund initiatives that help others to reduce their carbon use or avoid generating emissions, or projects that help remove carbon dioxide from the environment.

How is the offset calculated?

The price of the offset reflects the carbon emissions generated by a flight, calculated per passenger. using the UK Government’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines and the methodology set out by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

The longer the flight, the more carbon emissions generated. Because business class seats take up more room, emissions per passenger are higher in business class than in economy, which is reflected in the price.

The carbon offset fee covers the full journey: both the outbound and inbound trip flight.

Where does the offset fee go?

Carbon offset fees, paid through Informa's event registration process, support projects around the world that have been independently certified as successfully reducing pollution in the atmosphere.

This includes projects focused on reserve preservation in Borneo, Amazonian rainforest conservation in Brazil, domestic energy systems in India, distributing household biodigesters in China, teak afforestation in Mexico and grasslands conservation in the US.

These projects have a positive environmental impact, and many also create wider social and economic benefits for their local communities too.

All fees go directly towards buying offsets. Informa does not charge any fee or make any profit as part of offering carbon offsetting when registering for an event.

Are there other ways to travel more sustainably?

There are many ways to travel in a more sustainable manner.

Where available and practical, travelling by train is a low carbon option.

When flying, there are also different choices available. Flying economy, taking a direct flight and choosing airlines that are highly rated for sustainability practices will minimise the emissions generated.

FAQs

What is a carbon offset?

Carbon offsetting is a way to compensate for carbon emissions created through your activities, such as by taking a flight, by supporting projects that reduce, avoid or store the same amount of carbon emissions elsewhere.

Where does the fee go?

Informa supports projects around the world that have been independently certified as successfully reducing carbon.

All fees paid through our event registration process go directly to purchasing carbon offsets. Informa does not charge a fee as part of this and does not make a profit from offering carbon offsetting in this way.

We work with the offset specialist Natural Capital Partners to support projects that have been certified and audited as reducing or avoiding greenhouse gases being emitted.

This includes projects such as reserve preservation in Borneo, Amazonian rainforest conservation in Brazil, domestic energy systems in India, distributing household biodigesters in China, teak afforestation in Mexico and grasslands conservation in the US.

How do I know the carbon offsets are effective?

We work with Natural Capital Partners to support a range of verified emissions reductions projects around the world.

Natural Capital Partners has been recognised as Best Offset Retailer by Environmental Finance for ten years running. It delivers high quality offset solutions through a network of project partners on five continents and adheres to the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance's Code of Best Practice.

The projects supported either reduce or avoid greenhouse gases being emitted, or they store an equivalent amount of carbon emissions elsewhere.

All projects are validated by internationally recognised carbon standards and must also demonstrate that they could not take place without support from carbon finance.

Can I receive a refund for the carbon offset purchased?

If you cancel your registration to the event, you will be able to request a refund for the carbon offset fee paid during registration. Contact the customer service team for the event for more information.

What else can I do to be sustainable at the event?

There are many ways you can make sustainable choices, and our all events have a range of sustainability features and considerations built in too.

In and around the event, where possible choose public transport and walking over taxis. When booking accommodation, consider choosing a hotel that has eco-certifications and ask about any specific programmes your hotel may have when you check in.

While at the event, be aware of the waste you are generating, reducing it where possible and using the recycling bins provided. It’s also good for the environment to choose at least one plant-based meal a day.

And don't forget to look out for special programming and panels focused on sustainability as well.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information about the registration process or the event you are attending, contact the event’s customer services team. To learn more about Informa’s carbon offset programme, reach out to the Sustainability team at sustainability@informa.com

Sustainability at Informa

Informa is committed to becoming an ever more sustainable, positive impact business.

We have achieved CarbonNeutral Company certification, in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol and are working to become a zero waste and net zero carbon business by 2030. Plus, we are highly ranked for our overall approach to sustainability, scoring in the top 1% of companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in 2020.

Our events have features designed to minimise environmental impact. Depending on the event, this may include the use of renewable electricity and efficient LED lighting, reusable stands, sustainable carpeting and initiatives that promote recycling and waste minimisation.

Many of our events also include relevant sustainability content, and have programmes that support health and wellness while onsite as well.

Read about our FasterForward programme or see our latest Sustainability Report for more information on Informa's sustainability activities.

Carbon Neutral Certification