ISO 20121

ISO 20121 is the international standard, published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), that sets out the requirements for a sustainability management system applied to the design, organisation and delivery of events. Its goal is to minimise the negative environmental, social and economic impacts of an event while maximising positive outcomes for the people involved.

Origin and the 2024 revision

• From BS 8901 to London 2012: the standard grew out of the British standard BS 8901 and the sustainability framework used for the London 2012 Olympic Games, which acted as a large-scale pilot.
• ISO 20121:2024: the second edition was published in 2024 and cancels and replaces ISO 20121:2012. It strengthens alignment with current priorities, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, circular economy principles, social equity, human rights and digital responsibility.
• Transition period: organisations certified to the 2012 version have until 31 March 2027 to transition to the 2024 edition.
• Global application: ISO 20121 can be applied to events of any type or size, from corporate conferences and concerts to trade fairs and sports festivals.

Key principles

• Inclusiveness: active participation of stakeholders, including organisers, suppliers and local communities.
• Integrity: transparency and accountability in decision-making.
• Stewardship and transparency: responsible management of resources and open communication of performance.
• Continuous improvement: use of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to sustain performance over time.

Main requirements

• Understand the context of the organisation and identify stakeholders.
• Secure leadership and commitment from top management.
• Plan: set sustainability objectives and assess risks and opportunities.
• Manage operations: resources, transport, energy use, waste and responsible procurement.
• Evaluate performance through internal audits and progress measurement.
• Communicate and report goals, actions and achievements.

Benefits of implementing ISO 20121

• Reputation: demonstrates a credible commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
• Operational efficiency: reduces waste and energy costs through better management.
• Competitive advantage: improves positioning in tenders, sponsorships and partnerships.
• Regulatory alignment: helps organisations meet local and international environmental requirements.

Certification process

1. Initial assessment: identify gaps and areas for improvement.
2. Implementation: set up the sustainability management system aligned with ISO 20121.
3. External audit: verification by an accredited certification body.
4. Certification and monitoring: periodic follow-up audits to maintain compliance and drive improvement.

By providing a structured framework for embedding sustainability into event management, ISO 20121 helps organisations reduce their footprint and generate lasting social and economic value. It pairs well with measuring the event carbon footprint and standards such as ISO 14064. At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.