Apparent climate change is pushing green issues higher up the agenda of MICE decision-makers, according to the third annual focus group survey on the environment that is undertaken by the IMEX exhibition.

Buyers in 10 countries in Europe and Scandinavia were consulted.

Significant majorities now display evidence of eco-awareness, with 75% reporting that they, or colleagues, have taken environmental considerations into account when planning a meeting or incentive programme.

A total of 66% believes that they, or colleagues, probably would deliberately avoid destinations/venues known to have a poor environmental record.

Survey participants were asked to rank in order those green practices that they have applied to their events, and replied as follows:

1st        Recycled conference material

2nd       Selected an hotel known for its environmental programme

3rd        Viewed wilderness or animal conservation areas

4th        Encouraged delegates to travel by public transport at the host destination

5th        Involved an inspirational speaker on the environment

6th        Undertaken fund-raising or other support for green causes

7th        Chosen an airline/cruise company/car rental firm for its green credentials

8th        Paid for carbon emission offsets to neutralise the greenhouse gas effect of delegate travel

Buyers are still broadly equivocal as to whether an eco-tax is desirable, but a growing proportion (54% compared to 46% in 2005) are now in favour of discussing the idea.

Typical comments in support include:

• yes, but the amount should be small and hardly noticeable
• yes, if used strictly for environmental activities
• yes, because it will make participants more aware

Typical comments against, include:

• no, because such funding should be paid by taxes in the host country
• no, because the money may not be spent on green projects, and instead be lost through corruption

A higher proportion than in 2005 (80% compared to 76%) agree that the environment will become a bigger issue in the coming years.

This they explain characteristically as a consequence of television reports, almost daily, that warn of unstoppable changes to the climate; and as an outcome of increasingly frequent national disasters.

In contrast, doubters argue that climatic change is due to natural cycles, not pollution, and that this is simply a current fad in which interest will gradually level off.

None of the above has had much influence on the perceived potential of electronic communications / video-conferences to become a viable alternative to face-to-face events. Fewer than 15% feel that this is likely to happen, citing factors such as the importance of inter-personal chemistry, trust, and relationship-building. Generally it is suggested that such ‘virtual contact’ has now already peaked.

Voting for the top 10 countries that they identify currently as displaying most environmental leadership, the IMEX survey respondents reported (in alphabetical order):

Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Sweden, and the UK.

The IMEX research concludes that, generally speaking, the MICE sector has taken another step forward over the last 12 months towards embracing the environment in its planning.

Quoted is a pertinent comment from one particular agency which noted that major corporate clients increasingly are now looking for evidence of green values in the contractual RFP documents that they issue, and in the implementation of the events that we organise on their behalf.