Arinex has become the first Australian event management company to gain carbon neutral certification.

The company says it is excited about the benefits for its clients, as certification will ultimately help reduce the footprint of the events it manages.

The carbon neutral certification by Climate Active, is awarded to businesses and organisations that have achieved a state of net zero emissions, otherwise known as carbon neutrality.

It comes as Arinex reports several new sustainable initiatives, all designed to help further reduce its footprint.

Arinex Managing Director Nicole Walker said carbon neutral certification was part of a long-term commitment.

“We are acutely aware that this certification is only one step in our sustainability story – it’s not the be-all, end-all. The important thing is to follow through with this for every event that we manage and to assist our clients in reducing the carbon footprints of their events while showing them they need not compromise on anything,” she said.

Arinex introduced a Sustainability Policy in 2019 as well as signing up for the IAPCO Plastics Pledge, pledging to drastically reduce the amount of plastic used at events.

The company also joined more than 310 event industry stakeholders from 48 countries to sign the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge. Launched during the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the pledge signifies a joint commitment to achieve net zero carbon events.

Arinex has followed this up by recently banning all printed business cards for staff and making the switch to paper-free ‘tap and go’ cards from sustainability start-up Tapt.

It also follows the Sydney office’s move to a new, greener building on Market Street, which has a 5-star Nabers energy rating and 4-star Nabers water rating. Desk rubbish bins have also been banned as part of a move to encourage recycling and reduction of waste.

“Partnering with Arinex is one of the most affordable ways for clients to start reducing the carbon footprint of their events as the emissions from our activity as an event management company are already offset and go toward offsetting their event, significantly reducing the workload of emission calculations,” Ms Walker said.

“The rise of virtual events in the past two years has had a positive impact on the environment. However, with the return of physical events it is even more pertinent to implement strategies that help to reduce, or ideally offset, the footprint.

“We look forward to empowering our clients to make their inspiring experiences sustainable so that we can take action on climate change together.”