The Net Zero Carbon Events Academy was built by Global Destination Sustainability Movement and the Joint Meetings Industry Council, aligned with and endorsed by the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative.
It brings together decades of experience in sustainable destination management, industry advocacy, and real-world climate action to create something the events sector has long needed: a structured, globally accessible learning pathway for Net Zero.
The History
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Selected for the BEFuture Acceleration Programme
The academy was selected as one of 80 innovative projects under the BEFuture Acceleration Programme, an EU-co-funded initiative supporting projects that advance sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity in Europe's business events sector. Selected through the Catalunya region with support from the Catalunya Convention Bureau, the grant and programme gave the academy the foundations to turn an idea into a real initiative. -
A year of development
Being part of a community of like-minded innovators from across Europe shaped the academy's approach and accelerated its development. In November 2025, the academy presented its results at IBTM World in Barcelona, and in February 2026 took part in the BEFuture Signature Event in Ghent, celebrating two years of innovation across Europe's business events sector. -
Official launch at IMEX Frankfurt — 20 May 2026
The Net Zero Carbon Events Academy officially launched at IMEX Frankfurt. The first courses, delivered with founding delivery partner Macau Fair & Trade Association, begin in 2026.
BEFuture Acceleration Programme
BEFuture is the first EU-funded cross-sector and transnational single-market project for the business events industry, launched to leverage innovation and technology in support of the transformation of Europe's events sector into a regenerative, resilient, and responsible industry. The academy was selected as one of its funded projects, with support channeled through the Catalunya region and the Catalunya Convention Bureau.
The Founding Organisations
Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement)
A pioneering, data-driven international change agency that catalyses socio-economic and environmental transformation in cities and regions worldwide. Its mission is to empower tourism and events professionals with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to co-create regenerative and resilient destinations to visit, meet, and live in. GDS-Movement powers the academy's learning design and delivery.
Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC)
The global umbrella organisation for the meetings and events industry, representing international associations and stakeholders across the sector. JMIC provides a unified voice for the industry, advocating for its economic and social value while supporting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment.
Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative
The events industry's global climate commitment, recognised by the United Nations. The NZCE Initiative sets out the roadmap and standards that organisations around the world have signed up to, defining what it means to deliver a net zero event. The academy is fully aligned with the NZCE Roadmap and its eight workstreams.