Webinar findings: How to simplify sustainability reporting for meetings and events.

Sustainability is fast becoming a must-have in meetings and events. Yet many event professionals and their clients still find themselves struggling with fragmented data, unclear regulations, and manual processes when it comes to tracking and reporting carbon emissions.

That’s why we teamed up with SQUAKE for a live webinar, digging into the real challenges—and opportunities—of sustainability reporting in the MICE industry today. Here's a deep dive into the key takeaways from the session, and how you can future-proof your sustainability efforts without adding complexity to your operations.

Why sustainability reporting is becoming critical for MICE professionals.

Many corporate clients aren't asking for emissions data yet—but they will soon. As regulations like CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) roll out across Europe and beyond, companies will be expected to report their full carbon footprint, including travel, meetings, and events.

The problem? Most companies currently lack the tools or understanding to capture this data accurately. According to SQUAKE, many organisations still treat emissions from events as a "black box," with little to no visibility into the real environmental impact.

If meetings and events professionals don’t step up to provide this data, they risk becoming less relevant to their clients—and missing out on a major opportunity to add value.

The challenges of sustainability reporting for meetings and events.

During the webinar, several common pain points were identified:

• Fragmented data sources: Travel, hotel, venue, catering—each creates emissions, but the data often lives in separate systems.
• Manual, error-prone reporting: Professionals are stuck using spreadsheets to cobble together incomplete information.
• Confusion around regulations: Many clients don't fully understand what they need to report or how sustainability laws will impact them.
• Lack of carbon visibility at the time of booking: Without knowing the emissions impact during planning, it's harder to make better choices upfront.

What companies are actually looking for.

From Qondor and SQUAKE’s conversations with hundreds of customers, the consensus is clear:

• Companies want full CO₂ visibility across meetings and events.
• Project managers don't want more admin; they need simple, automated solutions.
• Clients want to make carbon-conscious choices during planning—not scramble for reports afterward.
• A standardised, easy-to-use tool is essential to avoid complexity and ensure scalability across projects.

Introducing Qondor's new Sustainability Reporting Tool.

Powered by emissions data from SQUAKE, the Qondor Sustainability Reporting Tool was built to meet these needs head-on.

Here’s how it works:

• One-click emissions insights: Qondor automatically calculates emissions for travel, accommodation, and F&B based on the project data you already manage in the platform.
• Custom client-ready reports: Download professional sustainability reports for each event—ideal for meeting CSR goals or client demands.
• Regulatory compliance: Reports are aligned with evolving sustainability standards, helping both you and your clients stay ahead of requirements like CSRD.
• Revenue opportunities: Add sustainability reporting as a service to your offering—helping you win more business without adding complexity to your processes.

Why sustainability reporting is no longer optional.

Melanie from SQUAKE put it perfectly during the webinar: "Sustainability in M&E is becoming a hygiene factor."

Forward-thinking event professionals won't wait for clients to demand emissions reporting—they’ll lead the way by offering it proactively. In doing so, they'll:

• Deepen client relationships by solving a growing need.
• Differentiate themselves from competitors who are slow to adapt.
• Unlock new revenue streams through sustainability services.

Key action steps for meetings and events professionals.

If you're serious about staying ahead of the curve, here’s what you should be doing now:

• Start collecting emissions data for all your meetings and events—even if clients aren’t asking yet.
• Automate your reporting using integrated tools like Qondor’s Sustainability Reporting Tool, to avoid last-minute chaos.
• Educate your clients about upcoming regulations and position yourself as a trusted sustainability advisor.
• Offer sustainability reports as a value-added service, strengthening your client partnerships and revenue potential.

In conclusion: lead the way in sustainable meetings and events.

The conversations during the Qondor and SQUAKE webinar made one thing clear: sustainability reporting for meetings and events is not just a trend — it’s quickly becoming a core expectation from clients, regulators, and the industry itself. Whether you are an event agency, travel management company, DMC, or a venue, the ability to offer transparent, verifiable emissions data will be critical to staying relevant and competitive in the years to come.

Here are three key learnings from the webinar:

1. Clients expect clear, professional sustainability reports — and they expect them now. As corporate clients focus more heavily on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies, they are starting to require sustainability reporting not just for corporate travel, but also for meetings and events. Being able to deliver client-ready, verifiable CO₂ emissions reports will be a clear differentiator for businesses in the MICE industry.
   
   
2. Manual tracking and spreadsheets are no longer enough. Sustainability reporting requires precision, consistency, and speed. Relying on spreadsheets, manual calculations, and multiple data sources is inefficient and risky. The Qondor Sustainability Reporting Tool, powered by SQUAKE’s verified data, automates the process—freeing up time, reducing human error, and improving report credibility.
   
   
3. Sustainability reporting is a new revenue stream, not just a compliance task. Rather than viewing sustainability reporting as just another burden, many organisations are turning it into a business opportunity. Offering sustainability reports as an additional service helps you meet evolving client needs, strengthen client relationships, and create new sources of revenue—without adding complexity to your internal operations.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ).

What is sustainability reporting in meetings and events?

Sustainability reporting in meetings and events involves tracking, calculating, and documenting the carbon emissions created by travel, accommodation, food and beverage, and venue usage. The goal is to provide transparency to clients, comply with regulations, and encourage more sustainable choices during event planning.

Why is sustainability reporting important for meetings and events professionals?

Sustainability reporting is becoming critical due to growing regulatory requirements (like CSRD in Europe) and rising client expectations. Professionals who can offer clear, verifiable emissions data will build stronger client relationships, stay competitive, and open up new revenue opportunities.

How does Qondor’s Sustainability Reporting Tool work?

Qondor’s Sustainability Reporting Tool pulls data directly from your project details—such as hotel stays, travel bookings, and F&B services—to automatically calculate emissions. You can then generate custom client-ready reports in just a few clicks, saving hours of manual work and ensuring accuracy.

What emissions categories can I track with Qondor’s Sustainability Reporting Tool?

You can track emissions across major categories, including flights and travel, accommodation (hotel nights), and food and beverage (for example catering services). These categories align with the areas where events typically have the largest carbon footprint, helping you provide meaningful insights to your clients.

Do I need technical expertise to use the Sustainability Reporting Tool?

No technical expertise is required! Qondor’s tool is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. If you’re already using Qondor to manage your events, adding sustainability reporting is simply another seamless part of the process.

Can I offer sustainability reporting as an extra service to my clients?

Yes! Many Qondor users are already positioning sustainability reporting as a premium service. It’s a great way to meet client needs, strengthen your value proposition, and grow your revenue without adding operational complexity.

Is the reporting compliant with upcoming sustainability regulations?

Yes. Qondor’s Sustainability Reporting Tool is built to help your clients stay compliant with both current and emerging regulations, including CSRD and evolving ESG reporting standards, by providing auditable, transparent emissions data for your meetings and events.

Catch up further and watch the webinar!