Measuring and mitigating CO2 for mega events and cities

As mega event organizers become more focused on ways to reduce their environmental impact, carbon modeling and tracking becomes increasingly important. So how can event organizers and city leaders put in place robust carbon management systems? 

Bill Hanway, our global sports and social infrastructure lead, explains the bespoke carbon-tracking methodology we developed for COP28 and the benefits of this approach for other mega events and cities.

The challenge of mega events

When putting on an event of this scale – major sporting events, concerts, conferences – with people traveling from all over the world to attend, the potential for significant carbon output comes with it.  

 Everything from travel to hospitality and security will escalate the event’s carbon footprint, so new tools and systems are essential to assess and mitigate the impact. The sheer number of people and services involved in these events makes this a complex undertaking. Organizers must seek to understand and manage how much carbon is being produced, when and where it is emitted and what can be done to lessen the output.  

Managing a unique ‘carbon journey’

Every mega event and every city is different. Accurate data and results demand a tailored, holistic carbon management plan that considers all the key areas including transportation, whole-life impact, carbon circularity, waste management and water usage. With this detailed information in hand, organizers can then efficiently collect the insights needed to effectively manage and mitigate carbon outputs.  

The mega event carbon journey follows these three stages:  

1. Pre-event planning. Establish a carbon baseline to see what ‘normal’ looks like. This foundational level is then compared to carbon output during and after the event to show changes. It can also be used to identify areas where emissions can be reduced. 
2. During event tracking. Keeping a close eye on carbon output as the event progresses will allow event organizers to see which emission reduction strategies are working and which can be improved. Using this information, the baseline can be updated and effective changes carried out in real time. 
3. Post–event analysis. The ideal management tool enables organizers to measure all tracked data and calculate any net growth in emissions. They can then purchase offsets to mitigate any additional carbon footprint.  

COP28: A model of success in carbon management

The bespoke methodology we developed for our sustainability event management system at COP28 in Dubai, UAE, was based on highly detailed data collection. The tool demonstrates how we pull together all the elements needed to provide accurate tracking capability and a plan for carbon mitigation – leaving behind a positive environmental legacy for decades to come. It allowed us to create: 

1. A defined baseline against which improvements could be measured – crucial for ongoing carbon reduction, as well as accurate reporting and mitigation. 
2. A valuable overview of areas where carbon reduction was immediately possible  

“Our approach meant we could provide complete traceability and accountability.  We took concrete actions with measurable outcomes to make this the first PAS 2060 certified COP”

As part of the event’s legacy, we designed a series of sustainability standards and training for businesses in the UAE, such as hotels and restaurants, so the carbon reduction process can continue long after the event. We also developed a Sustainability Guide, which rounds up our lessons learned and outlines best practices, education and training for future COP event organizers.

Carbon management on a city-scale

With entire cities now looking to balance tourism and visitor targets with carbon output and mitigation, evaluating the impact of carbon emissions in achieving tourism goals is becoming essential. This is where our bespoke methodology can provide benefits not just for individual events that draw in the crowds, but for setting a baseline against which all future major activities and city developments can be measured, quantified and mitigated. 

Olympic Games are another example of a global event on a city scale, requiring a tailored approach to carbon modeling and tracking that covers all the complexities that come with an event of this magnitude.  

“Future Olympic events are adapting to the host city, rather than the other way round. Organizers are looking to incorporate existing infrastructure in their plans and make existing venues a priority over new buildings. Where new construction is unavoidable, there is now a huge focus on transit-oriented development to minimize the carbon output of travel to these destinations.” Bill Hanway 

Well ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, planning has been underway to reduce the carbon impact of critical event infrastructure. Take Intuit Dome, the new home of the LA Clippers in Inglewood, California. Designed and built to the highest sustainability standards, it will be carbon neutral in operation from day one. It is part of a growing movement to use existing buildings for major events and reduce the carbon output involved in new construction projects.

Find out more about our bespoke carbon management methodology for mega events and cities by contacting our sustainability team.