COP21 + 10: Responsible Event Management – Progress Made, Challenges Ahead

On December 12, 2025, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the events industry gathered at CNIT Forest (La Défense) to celebrate its commitment and collectively reflect on the future of responsible events. This gathering, rich in exchanges, anecdotes, and perspectives, was organized by C3D, Synpase, Climate House, Union des Marques, and Freelances de l’Événementiel, with the support of Viparis, Novelty, Magnum, Green Événements, Climeet, and Prélude.

When Versailles Was Not an Option

Did you know that COP21 could have been held at Versailles? Not exactly a symbol of sobriety… In 2013, Pierre Henri Guignard, then Secretary-General of COP21, was tasked with organizing a conference that was both elegant and reasonable. Versailles was quickly set aside in favor of Viparis Le Bourget, a venue designed to remain sober, focus attention on the essentials, and prioritize the quality of the debates.

This anecdote, shared during the meeting, perfectly illustrates a question that remains highly relevant today: how can large-scale events be organized without compromising environmental responsibility?

Ten Years of Progress… But Not Enough

Since the Paris Agreement, the events industry has evolved significantly. Concrete advances have been made: structured approaches, measurement tools, eco-design, resource sharing, and feedback from past experiences. These steps are tangible and promising.

Yet, the assessment remains clear-eyed: these efforts are still insufficient given the climate and environmental challenges. The goal of this morning session was not to produce symbolic commitments, but to:

• Analyze what has truly worked since 2015,
• Identify persistent obstacles, both operational and structural,
• Open collective avenues for work over the next ten years.

The Power of Collective Action

What stands out most is the strength of collective action. Since COP21, many actors have established frameworks, tools, training programs, labels, and charters to lay the foundations for more responsible event management. Among them:

• Claire Schwartz (C3D) and her guide for promoting CSR commitments through events
• Sophie Roosen (Union des Marques) and the FAIRe program 
• Stanislas Surun (Synpase) with the PrestaDD label
• Ophélie Houtart de Wasseige for training programs led by Freelances de l’Événementiel 
• Serge Orru (City of Paris) with the eco-responsible event charter 

The momentum is underway, but it now needs to be translated into clear decision-making, strengthened cooperation, and measurable results.

Imagining the Next Ten Years

The meeting also opened reflections on the future: how can events become a lever for collective action that meets environmental and societal challenges?

The next steps will focus on:

• The role of cultural events and the importance of new narratives (Alice Audouin, Art for Change 21),
• Linking with responsible communication (Gilles Berhault, Benoît Desveaux),
• Working on concrete solutions (Marie Floquet, DG of Les Canaux).

Events have an immense role: they bring people together, transmit messages, and shape narratives. It is up to us to make them a lever commensurate with the challenges of our time.

What’s Next?

Following this meeting, a collective opinion piece will be published in early 2026 with Pierre Henri Guignard: “The Spirit of COP21: Towards the Sustainable Event of Tomorrow”. It will offer everyone the opportunity to become signatories and participate in this collective momentum.

The next chapter will be written together. What if, in the coming decade, events became a true engine for climate action and societal change?