PARIS
- UFI,
the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is pleased to
announce its release of a simplified version of the Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting guidelines
dedicated to the exhibition industry. This adaptation of GRI’s
widely accepted reporting framework was developed by a working group
of UFI’s Sustainable Development Committee with the assistance of
UFI education partner Positive Impact (UK). UFI member
organisations, ADNEC (UAE), AUMA (Germany), BPA
Worldwide (USA), Direct
Energy Centre (Canada),Reed
Exhibitions (UK)
and UBM (Netherlands)
added their global experience to the creation of this reporting
framework which meets the specific needs of the exhibition
industry.
The template for sustainability reporting in the exhibition industry identifies the key indicators to be used for venues, organizers and service providers. It also includes the ten indicators which appear as a “top priority” across all three segments. These indicators include initiatives to reduce waste and negative environmental impacts, financial benefits from sustainability initiatives, sustainable sourcing initiatives and benefits received from suppliers.
Paul Woodward, UFI Managing Director, commented, “The aim of this simple tool is to assist companies as they initiate the process of reporting sustainability achievements. It applies to companies of all sizes in the entire exhibition supply chain. By ensuring reporting consistency, the exhibition industry can position itself strongly in the face of the economic, environmental and social challenges we face today”. Maaike Fleur, GRI Senior Manager Reporting Framework declared: “Industry associations are among the key players needed in this global effort to developing sustainability and GRI welcomes the efforts of UFI to support the exhibition industry in producing sustainability reports using the GRI Guidelines. The exhibition industry has a great opportunity to leverage sustainability performance and to reach a wide audience”.
The template for sustainability reporting in the exhibition industry identifies the key indicators to be used for venues, organizers and service providers. It also includes the ten indicators which appear as a “top priority” across all three segments. These indicators include initiatives to reduce waste and negative environmental impacts, financial benefits from sustainability initiatives, sustainable sourcing initiatives and benefits received from suppliers.
Paul Woodward, UFI Managing Director, commented, “The aim of this simple tool is to assist companies as they initiate the process of reporting sustainability achievements. It applies to companies of all sizes in the entire exhibition supply chain. By ensuring reporting consistency, the exhibition industry can position itself strongly in the face of the economic, environmental and social challenges we face today”. Maaike Fleur, GRI Senior Manager Reporting Framework declared: “Industry associations are among the key players needed in this global effort to developing sustainability and GRI welcomes the efforts of UFI to support the exhibition industry in producing sustainability reports using the GRI Guidelines. The exhibition industry has a great opportunity to leverage sustainability performance and to reach a wide audience”.