Global temperatures rose (again) in 2024 and ‘once in a generation’ extreme weather events seemed to be on our news channels almost weekly. But, as the start of each year is a time for optimism, here are some good news stories from 2024 that give us hope for 2025: 1. There was another significant increase in renewable energy, mostly driven by ever cheaper solar power. 2. Deforestation in the Amazon reached a 9-year low and is on target to hit zero by 2030. 3. Coal power was completely phased out in the UK. 4. In the US, for one month, wind power was dominant. 5. And huge areas of forests, mountains, oceans and rivers have become conservation areas, boosting biodiversity. All little changes (in the grand scheme of things), but 'little changes lead to bug changes'. Here's hoping that 2025 is better again.

Are you supposed to judge success by your P&L alone? Or by how far you’ve come, how you’ve positioned yourselves ready for the next year, and other ‘off-the-book’ achievements? Like many event agencies we’ve spoken to, just using the P&L metric, 2024 hasn’t been a record year for The Sustainable Events Company UK. But when we look back over the year, there is so much that makes us excited for 2025. Here’s what we’ll be raising a glass to later today when we wrap up for the holidays: January – accepted into ESSA , the body that represents the very best of event suppliers February - became ESGmark® certified; the first UK events company to do so. March – appointed to project manage the London Marathon Events conference, and became a signatory to Net Zero Carbon Events, an international collaboration working with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change April – awarded a Bronze Medal by Ecologi | B Corp™ for our work in sustainable events May – became a mentor to young, eco-minded start-ups through Digital Boost June – joined Green Economy an organisation dedicated to supporting businesses on their journey to net zero July – we took the month off to relax and recharge – part of the G in our ESG! August, September & October – designed, project managed and delivered exhibition stands all over the UK and Europe - out of reclaimed wood, recycled aluminium and zero-waste cardboard November – became a supporter of Play It Green | B Corp™, offsetting our office carbon footprint whilst donating to good causes, and started the process of clearing out our storeroom by donating underutilised items to charity through A Good Thing (UK) December – ESSA Sustainability Awards Finalists. By most measures, that's a pretty good year. See you in 2025.

When you have a full inbox, a full in-tray and a full diary, it’s understandably hard to find the time to think about making changes to make your business (and your life) more eco-friendly and sustainable. That’s ok. But remember this: none of us learned to walk overnight. None of us learned to speak overnight. And none of us learned to ride a bike overnight. We learnt how to do all these things gradually. We made a start, we made mistakes. But we carried on trying, we got a little better every day until, one day, we’d mastered them. We all lead busy work and private lives, and it’s obvious that we can't completely overhaul our businesses and lifestyles overnight. That's why taking small steps towards sustainability is so important. Whether it's reducing our single-use plastic consumption, opting for less meat in our diets, or choosing to walk, cycle or take public transport instead of driving: every little bit helps. Small changes not only contribute to a more sustainable future but also have a powerful collective impact. As a business leader your actions are likely to be embraced and copied by others in your team. By making small changes ourselves, we inspire those around us to do the same. Set an example and show that every effort towards sustainability, no matter how modest, is meaningful. It's important to remember that striving for sustainability is not about achieving perfection. It's about making a series of conscious choices that, when combined, make a positive difference for the environment and future generations. So, don't feel discouraged if you can't make all the "perfect" changes at once. Every small change you make is a step in the right direction. Let's embrace the approach of making gradual, achievable changes towards more sustainable businesses and lifestyles. Together, our collective small changes will lead to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for all.