Event Certification Solutions

AENOR offers certifications for sustainable events with ISO 20121 and the management of the carbon footprint (CO2 calculated, reduced and compensated), guaranteeing environmental and social commitment. Do you need something else?

All events have an environmental, economic and social impact on the geographical area according to the circumstances in which they are held. Therefore, it is of enormous importance to take into account both sustainability criteria throughout the life cycle of an event, from the organisational stage to the legacy, as well as transparency in the calculation and communication of greenhouse gas emissions left by the event itself, among other aspects that are certified by AENOR.

Certification of the sustainability of events with ISO 20121 and CO2 carbon footprint calculation

ISO 20121 certifies the sustainable management of events, integrating social, environmental and economic aspects. The calculation of the CO2 carbon footprint measures and manages the emissions generated.

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Carbon Footprint Certification: CO2 Reduction and Compensation

The reduced and offset CO2 carbon footprint certificates verify the reduction and neutralization of CO2 emissions, respectively, promoting sustainable practices and climate change mitigation.

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AENOR has 3 solutions for event certification:

1.    Sustainable Event Certification

The Standard UNE-ISO 20121:2024 specifies the requirements of a sustainability management system for any type of event or activity related to it and provides guidelines on how to comply with these requirements, so as to ensure that events are managed according to sustainability criteria. 

Among its benefits are the demonstration of public and ethical commitment to society and the environment; as well as the reduction of costs, thanks to the reduction in the consumption of resources and the optimization of processes, and an increase in competitiveness and access to new markets more aware of environmental and social respect and good governance.

2.    Verification of the Carbon Footprint of an event

The Carbon Footprint of an event allows its effect on climate change to be determined, evaluated and communicated. There are various standards, references and guides for the calculation of the Carbon Footprint of an event. For example, GHG Protocol or the ISO 14064 standard on greenhouse gases. 

The purpose of the verification is to ensure, independently, through the emissions report drawn up, that the declaration relating to greenhouse gas emissions is complete, i.e. accurate, coherent, transparent and without significant discrepancies.

Carbon footprint verifications of events can be complementarily of three types:

  • CO2 Calculated

  • Reduced CO2

  • CO2 Offset / Carbon Neutral

3.    Validation of the Carbon Footprint of an event

This new certification developed by AENOR is aimed at organisations that promote or manage events and is in addition to the solutions of the Trust Platform: "Decarbonising business activity". The Validated CO2 Carbon Footprint certificate allows those who organize events to have the seal before they are held.

This verification is carried out in accordance with the requirements set out in the Standards:

In addition to the review of compliance with the requirements of these standards, its development includes a triple analysis: strategic, risk and process.

As a result of this validation, a report is issued reflecting the results. If the assessment is considered compliant, AENOR will issue a Validated CO2 Carbon Footprint certificate, conditional on the calculation of the CO2 after the event.

Some related AENOR courses:

Our experience

AENOR has certified hundreds of companies from multiple sectors under the certification of Protocols against COVID-19. In particular, in the Verification of Protocols against COVID-19 at events, Banco Santander's 2020 General Shareholders' Meeting has been verified.

In the field of ISO 20121 sustainable events, we have certified more than a dozen events. Among others, we have certified the General Shareholders' Meetings of large corporations such as Banco Santander, BBVA or Red Eléctrica.

In relation to the verification of Carbon Footprint, AENOR has been carrying out the annual verification of hundreds of organisations from all sectors of activity, many of which include reduction actions in their verified report.

AENOR has awarded the AENOR Environment Mark for Calculated CO2 to more than 150 product references worldwide.

  • With regard to compensation, AENOR has awarded the AENOR Environment Mark for Offset CO2 to more than a dozen events, including Carbon Expo Barcelona (2009)

  • Carbon Expo Colonia (2010) or the COP of LIMA

Related Industries

AENOR's three solutions for Event certification are applicable to any organisation that manages events and/or supplies products and services to them.

Integration with other systems

These three AENOR solutions are fully integrable with each other.

AENOR also offers the service of verifying the Carbon Footprint of organisations.

Zurich Rock ́n ́ Roll Running Series Madrid will certify its carbon footprint with AENOR

Madrid will be the first city in the world to host a popular marathon that verifies and certifies its Carbon Footprint, during the 45th edition of the Zurich Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Madrid, thanks to the joint work between the Madrid City Council, MAPOMA, Global Omnium and AENOR.