Zero waste

And so we've been here since 2022.

But ironically, I've been part of the Zero Waste Movement since 2013 in Austin when I was running the Home Composting Rebate Program.

I got an opportunity to meet a lot of the founders of the Zero Waste Movement in the U.S., And so these are like the pillars of the U.S. are like Ruth Ave and Gary Lee and Rick Anthony.

These are like titans in a way to say it, you know.

And so very knowledgeable people that did the Zero Waste curriculum.

Lovely.

So the other report that I just saw is that according to the 2025 Event Sustainability Report, you were able to divert 90% of waste from landfills and maintain a zero waste designation last year.

I heard some of the efforts are around exhibitor booth reuse, evergreen signage, reusable serviceware, carpet choices.

How can planners and exhibitors partner with IMEX group to make a difference in these areas?

[outro music] So since we last spoke, Jackie and Cathy, we had the COP31 presidency announce the thematic day program for the COP.

And so one interesting point that I noted from this is that we've-- well, the leaders' summit, which typically happens at the very start of the COPs, will actually take place partway through, and it'll coincide with thematic days on zero waste and resilient cities in the built environment, so two areas that are really important to the Turkiye presidency.

Other days will cover food, agriculture and health, energy and transport, finance and trade, youth, oceans and nature, relevant to today, and amongst other topics.

Bec, those thematic days sort of shape up the action agenda component of the COP, which is not the negotiations so much as all the other stuff that's going on around the COP venue and a lot of the side events.

Uh, so we'll look forward to that.

So in other news, we've also seen the Climate High-Level Champions and the Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action launch their annual work program outlining how governments, businesses, cities, regions, investors, civil society, uh, will work together to accelerate climate action over the coming year.

And so this program will include an emphasis on 10 priority areas that re- also reflect the priorities of the COP31 presidency, and this includes clean energy transition, food security and zero waste, and also aims to build momentum across all sectors and regions.

Yeah.