As an event planner, you should also take a closer look at the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs for short. Integrating the SDGs into events is an important step on the road to sustainability. With conscious event planning and implementation of sustainable practices, your events can also make an important contribution to solving global problems and at the same time become a role model for sustainability. For this reason, we are presenting "SDG 14 - Life under Water" to you today.

SDG 14 - Life under water

SDG 14 is all about "life under water". The aim is to conserve and use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. It is about the importance of the oceans for the ecological balance of the earth and the role they play in food security.

Overfishing, over-acidification and pollution of the oceans as well as climate change are putting a strain on the marine ecosystem and threatening the livelihoods of many people, especially in developing countries. Sustainable use of the oceans and their coastal regions is crucial for ecological balance and good living conditions for future generations. In addition, rising sea levels are intensifying extreme weather events, endangering millions of people and driving up the cost of coastal protection.

This is what SDG 14 means for events

You should also always consider the protection of seas, oceans and water resources when planning your event.

To achieve this, you can

• Avoid single-use plastic,
• use renewable energy sources
• or choose environmentally friendly locations or hotels
• advocate waste prevention, recycling and the circular economy.

You can also raise awareness of environmental issues such as plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change by organizing workshops, lectures and exhibitions, and promote commitment to marine conservation and humanity.

Events that lead by example

Ocean Film Festival World Tour

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is an annual event that takes place in various cities in Germany. It shows films and documentaries about the ocean and the protection of the seas and oceans. The festival aims to raise awareness of environmental issues such as plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change, and to promote commitment to marine conservation. Through these goals, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour contributes to the achievement of SDG 14.

Ocean Race

Since it was first held, the Ocean Race has been dedicated to the sustainability of the oceans, both from the perspective of a sustainable event and in terms of knowledge transfer within the race. The "Ocean Summits" organized at the stopovers also discuss how to improve the health of the oceans. In addition, the sailboats support scientific research into ocean health.

Our Ocean Conference

The Government of Panama hosted the eighth "Our Ocean" conference in Panama City on March 2-3, 2023. The conference was launched in 2014 as an initiative of the U.S. Department of State to draw international attention to the serious threats facing the world's oceans, to commit to action around the world to support ocean conservation and sustainable development. For "Our Ocean 2023," Panama identified three overarching focus areas: sustainable tourism, ecological connectivity, and local solutions to marine pollution. There were six action areas: Promoting Marine Protected Areas, Promoting a Sustainable Blue Economy, Addressing the Climate Crisis, Supporting Maritime Security, Promoting Sustainable Fisheries, and Combating Marine Pollution.

Greentech Festival

The Greentech Festival in Berlin aims to present and promote innovative solutions to environmental problems, including the protection of the seas and oceans. It offers panel discussions, workshops and exhibitions by companies and organizations that are committed to protecting the environment and developing innovative technologies to solve environmental problems.

These immediate actions at events pay into SDG 14

Avoid plastic

Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to the seas and oceans. As an event organizer, you can play a critical role in reducing plastic waste at your events. How? For example, by eliminating single-use plastic tableware and cutlery and offering reusable alternatives. Among other things, provide drinking water in reusable bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.

In Germany, plastic tableware and cutlery have been banned since July 2021, but unfortunately there are disposable alternatives that contain plastic.

In addition, as an organizer, you can greatly reduce the amount of plastic and waste by setting clear rules for bringing in and disposing of materials. Think about packaging, special constructions, carpets, booth materials, catering and much more. Look for microplastic-free products, for example, in cleaning products. Textiles made from natural materials are also a better alternative than conventional textiles, as plastics release microplastics into water streams when washed.

Avoid pollution

Events that take place in coastal areas can help reduce pollution by, for example, ensuring that all waste is disposed of properly and that no harmful chemicals or wastewater is released into the sea.

Sensitize your participants

As an organizer, you can also help raise awareness of the need to protect the seas and oceans. For example, offer information materials and workshops that address the topic. You can also work with environmental organizations to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the seas and oceans.

Advocate for sustainable fisheries

How? For example, by communicating about the importance of sustainable fishing and by purchasing and offering sustainably caught fish at your events.

Your events can also help promote and raise awareness of the importance of marine and environmental science research. Make people and guests aware of the importance of marine conservation. Show your guests the beauty of life underwater. For example, through art, large images, live entertainment, speakers or the moderation.

Involve local NGOs, associations and organizations in your social programs that bring marine and coastal protection to life or promote it locally. This creates a positive impact through your event on site. In addition, guests will experience the good feeling of being part of the solution - that your event is not part of the global problem.

Celebrate, learn, exchange, network without a guilty conscience. But with a positive impact on nature, society and the economy.

Conclusion

When sustainable events become the standard, their high reach and variety creates enormous potential to change the world in a positive way! Events become part of the solution - be an active part of it.

More information

Sabine Böhling, consultant, trainer and lecturer for sustainability and CSR, and Stefan Lohmann, expert for live entertainment concepts and founder of Sustainable Event Solutions, present the 17 SDGs and apply them to events. This series first appeared on tw-media, the meetings industry.

• more about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• more about the 16 Steps Initiative