Sustainable Events

With Fitwise

The Fitwise Carbon Offset Your Event initiative enables our clients to deliver more sustainable events

Working with Fitwise to deliver sustainable events

At Fitwise, we work with our association clients to create their events in a way that works for them. When it comes to hosting sustainable events, you might want to start to make more sustainable choices or you might want to take it the whole way and become Net Zero. The Fitwise team are here to help you on that journey to Net Zero.


What is carbon offsetting? 

When you carbon offset, you compensate for your emissions by funding an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere in the world. This is done by purchasing carbon credits from a scheme that works to reduce or absorb carbon emissions. The projects you fund may be initiatives that provide lower carbon alternatives, such as cookstoves to replace open fires; or they may be projects that protect or enhance natural resources that absorb carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation initiatives. 

Carbon Consultancy gives you the option to offset your event(s) ahead of consumption so that you can market the programme as carbon balanced. 

Our carbon portfolio includes a range of options in the UK and overseas.  

Your event's route to net zero

This is how it works

 Your Fitwise Event Manager will guide you through the Carbon Consultancy process. Whether your aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of your event, or to offset any unavoidable carbon emissions entirely, we can help you achieve this. 

Carbon Consultancy gives you the option to offset your event(s) ahead of consumption so that you can market the programme as carbon balanced. 

There are three main aims:

Calculator with solid fill To calculate the emissions likely to be generated for your event. 

 Research with solid fill To provide solutions that educate, create behavioural change and deliver a reduction of emissions at your event. 

Deciduous tree with solid fill To offer a range of carbon programmes which allow the remaining carbon footprint to be offset in an ethical manner. 

Why run a carbon balanced event?

An unintended consequence of events is the amount of carbon emissions they can release into the atmosphere. Now is a great opportunity for organisers to capture the imagination of an increasingly sustainability aware audience to send out a strong message about their event emissions. Working towards achieving a carbon neutral status for an event can drive sales, act as a powerful promotional tool and help the event to stand out. 

At an event, the main sources of carbon include: 

  • Participant travel 
  • Hospitality 
  • Catering 
  • Powering the event space

there are six stages to the process

  • Pre event scoping 

You event manager will have an initial appointment with a Sustainability Specialist to ensure they fully understand the brief for the event and discuss methods of any data capture required. 

  • Carbon Calculator 1st edition 

The data will be inputted into a verified carbon calculator to create an initial estimated footprint for your event. 

  • Report 

The Sustainability Specialist will generate a report highlighting the carbon output estimated for the event. 

  • Consultancy 

The output of the report will be used to consult with you on ways you can reduce your carbon emissions. 

  • Carbon Calculator 2nd edition 

Post event, a re-calculation the footprint of your event will be completed, taking into account any changes you have adopted and final details to produce a second report giving the CO2 tonnage for your event. 

  • Offset programme 

The option is then available to make use of an offset programme with a portfolio of Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) approved projects in the UK and overseas. Once you make the offset you will receive a verification certificate. 

Examples of VCS projects we invest in: Pacajai REDD+ (reduced deforestation, Brazil), Energy Efficient Cook Stove Implementation (India), Longyuan Mulilo De Aar Wind Project (wind poeer, South Africa) as well as others.

 How much does it cost? 

Not as much as you might think – and corporate companies are often keen to sponsor the sustainability element of an event which can help towards costs. 

For an indication of cost please contact Jenny Elliot, Head of Events jenny.elliot@fitwise.co.ukFind out about ways company’s can sponsor a sustainable event.

Are you a member of a conference organising committee? Read our blog “Sustainability – the Elephant in the [Conference] Room” to see how you can do your part.