Why Aren't Sustainability and Net Zero as Important in the U.S. as Europe?

Major travel and meetings industry sustainability efforts such as
the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative are a top priority in
Europe, where the meetings industry is organizing to adopt
stricter sustainability standards before governing bodies step in
to enforce regulations.


The sense of urgency seems to be a great deal less in North
America, however. Why is this, and how can travel and meetings
industry professionals join the fight against climate change via
self-regulation?


Meetings Today interviewed James Rees, executive director,
conference and events, ExCel London and former president of the
International Congress and Convention Association, about the Net
Zero Carbon Events initiative and other major sustainability
efforts underway in Europe and North America.


Having a wealth of experience on the major venue side, as well as
leading a major industry association and holding top sales
positions for Hilton Hotels, Rees can address the subject of
sustainability from a variety of vantage points.