IMF sustainability earns certification for delivering sustainable events per the Sustainable Events Management System Standard.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to sustainability, earning certification for delivering sustainable events in line with the Sustainable Events Management System Standard (BS ISO 20121).
The certification comes after a rigorous audit by BSI, a leading business improvement and standards company. Auditors thoroughly reviewed the IMF’s planning and execution of its annual spring meeting to confirm compliance with the ISO 20121 standard’s requirements around environmental, social and economic responsibility.
“At the IMF sustainability is at the core of our operations, and I am immensely proud that we have achieved the ISO 20121 standard for the Spring and Annual Meetings, an important step in the right direction,” said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF.
The certification process spanned over a decade of efforts by the IMF sustainability team to improve its operations and mitigate negative impacts. For the Spring and Annual Meetings, this included offsetting carbon emissions from participant travel, reducing energy consumption and food waste, and prioritizing sustainability in supply chain choices.
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The IMF sustainability teams collaborated with Crowberry Consulting® Ltd to implement sustainable practices and align with the ISO 20121 standard’s framework. This globally-recognized standard sets rigorous criteria for addressing environmental, social and economic issues throughout the entire event planning lifecycle.
By meeting the standards’ benchmarks, the IMF has demonstrated its commitment to resource conservation, emissions reduction, accessibility, equity, supporting local economies, and more. The certification positions IMF sustainability as a leader in sustainable global event management alongside other major certified events like COP28, the G7 Summit, and the London and Tokyo Olympics.
“As a globally important organization, the IMF has a powerful opportunity to set an example for how events can be planned and delivered sustainably, benefiting people and planet,” said Tim Wren, Chief Commercial Officer at BSI.
With this achievement, the IMF has taken a significant step towards creating a lasting sustainable legacy for its operations and high-profile international gatherings.
