The Scandinavians are at it again. In 2010, Denmark released the Copenhagen Sustainable Meetings Protocol, following its COP15 event. Now, the ICCA Scandinavian Chapter has published a Scandinavian Destination Sustainability Index analyzing sustainability performance across 16 cities and 5 countries. And even though Scandinavian cities are miles ahead of many other destinations in the area of sustainable meetings, there remains potential to improve, according to the study conducted by MCI Sustainability Services. 

The research used 16 performance indicators to measure and benchmark the sustainability commitment and performance of city governments, destination infrastructure (recycling, renewable energy) and the sustainability commitment and performance of the local meeting industry. The index is just one of the deliverables of a multi-year ICCA Scandinavian Chapter project to create the world´s first sustainable meetings region. 

Already more than 50 organizations including CVBs, destination marketing organizations, venues and agencies have signed the Scandinavia Sustainable Meetings Accord launched in March 2012. The accord outlines 10 specific actions that advance sustainable development within the meeting and event industry.

How really cool!