As more research looks at meeting industry’s contributions to climate change, some groups take steps to reduce their overall impact

Levin

April 2, 2021
By Walt Williams

COVID-19 may have forced many associations to move their events online, but it could be another societal problem that proves a challenge for some groups in getting members to return to in-person events.

Climate change isn’t a new issue but one that continues to grow in prominence. Several studies have been published in recent years examining the carbon footprints of large events, particularly those organized by medical and scientific societies. And now that COVID-19 has shown such events can be held virtually, some wonder whether keeping them online would be better for the planet.