6.2 Event sustainability objectives and how to achieve them
Relevant Definitions:
Objective: | result to be achieved. |
Target: | detailed performance requirement, applicable to the organization, that arises from the objectives and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve those objectives |
Read notes on these definitions in the standard.
Without establishing objectives and targets, performance success cannot be measured. Objectives and targets should map back to issues identified as significant and relevant, and important to your stakeholders.
Objectives and targets could be based upon:
- purposes and values of the organisation
- policies of the organisation
- consideration for sustainability issues
- regulation, legals and other requirements
- financial and business requirements
- legacy potential
- consideration for sustainable alternative solutions
- the greatest improvement practically possible
Establishing Objectives and Targets:
Objectives and targets should be measurable – with metrics included.
Objectives are the results to be achieved. Targets are detailed performance requirements to meet the objective. These could be topic-based, with several targets working together to meet an overall objective. Examples of objectives and their associated targets are as follows.
Objective: Reduce total waste created by 10% on previous event |
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Objective: reduce the event's greenhouse gas emissions inventory by 10% |
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Objective: Increase direct economic benefit to the host community, from x to x. |
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By communicating these goals to stakeholders, you are engaging them in the process to achieving them.
If you are in the first year of data and performance gathering you will need to establish a baseline from which to measure your performance. Along with implementing some initiatives, your main aim in the first year of tackling sustainability could be a thorough diagnostic process and measurement of current impacts.
Setting Plans of Action:
When creating objectives and targets, in hand with these will be the plans to achieve them. This of course crosses over with many other clauses of the standard.
When mapping out objectives and targets, the associated plans of action would include the following steps. The associated or relevant clause of the standard is highlighted also:
- what will be done; [6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities]
- what resources will be required; [7.1 Resources]
- who will be responsible; [5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities]
- when it will be completed; [6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities]
- how the results will be evaluated. [9 Performance evaluation]
Measuring Performance:
Understanding how you will measure performance is a major part in establishing what your objectives will be. Systems must be in place to measure performance against objectives and targets.
Establishing performance indicators will be aligned with the objectives and targets set. More detail on this coming up in Module 7 where the following clauses are addressed:
- 9.2 Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation
- 9.4 Management review
Suggested Steps:
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- Set objectives to align with issues identified through the stakeholder engagement process, and analysis of relevant sustainable development issues for the organisation and event.
- Determine targets, based on function areas of event production and the event planning lifecycle, which will support each of the objectives set.
- Refer to the Global Reporting Initiative’s Event Organizers Sector Supplement (GRI EOSS) for guidance on potential performance indicators for events sustainability reporting. This will guide you on what your objectives and targets could be.
- Establish pathways to achieving targets, and document what will be done, who is responsible, resources required, when action will be taken, and how results will be reviewed.
- Communicate objectives and targets, and plans of action, to relevant stakeholders.
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Requirements of this Clause:
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- That the organisation establish objectives and supporting targets.
- They should be specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and time-bound.
- They need to align with your sustainability policy, and stated purpose of the organisation and its sustainable development principles.
- They must be communicated.
- That plans are in place to meet objectives and targets including what resources will be required, who is responsible, when it will be completed and how the results will be evaluated.
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