At the 2025 IFES World Summit in Guadalajara, sustainability was considered at every stage – from event planning and venue choice to delegate mobility and material selection. This commitment was reflected in both the event content and its practical execution, under the theme Transforming Learnings into a Sustainable Future.

Venue and Host City

Hosted at Expo Guadalajara, a venue with multiple sustainability certifications including EarthCheck, ISO 9001:2015 and the ESR designation, the Summit was supported by a setting already aligned with responsible event practice. The venue’s more than 1,200 m² of photovoltaic cells generate an average of 183,993 kWh annually, avoiding approximately 92 tons of CO₂ per year, while its Voluntary Environmental Compliance Programme with the Jalisco state government and its focus on local suppliers further reinforced this approach.

Carbon Offset

Delegates were encouraged to offset their air travel emissions during the registration process, resulting in 38 tons of travel emissions being offset. The certificates purchased supported Planting Biodiverse Forests in Panama, a Gold Standard Marketplace project initially developed by Forest Finance and recently extended by Sustainable Timber and Isla Cebaco. The project combines sustainable, high-quality timber production with biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration, while the planting of cacao and native tree species in some areas also supports sustainable cacao production.

The Event

At the event itself, recycled carpeting, reusable signage structures and sustainably manufactured speaker gifts helped reduce material waste. The focus on sustainability carried through to the content program where a dedicated deep dive led by the IFES Sustainability Committee brought members together to assess progress and sharpen priorities. The session focused on practical tools for driving real change in the industry – including the Better Stands global framework, now administered by IFES, which supports stand reusability through a voluntary, tiered system. The Committee also introduced early-stage work on a comprehensive approach to carbon measurement, covering materials, transport, energy, labour and food, as well as feedback exchange around the ISO 20121 Training Convoys and NZCE 2050. Several active focus groups – from carpets to print and system suppliers – are contributing to the creation of an industry-wide materials library by the industry, for the industry.

World Summit breakaway sessions included a series of experiential workshops designed to promote empathy, inclusion, and greater awareness of accessibility challenges. Participants took part in activities such as sculpting in low-light conditions, painting without using hands, and assembling wheelchairs to be donated to individuals in need. These sessions offered meaningful insights into the diverse experiences of people living with disabilities and highlighted the importance of inclusive design and support in society.

The community voted unanimously to bring on board our incoming Sustainability Chair, Pauline Teyssedre, who will take over the reins from Sarah Chew at the start of 2026.

From the venue and city to the programme content, sustainability was integral to the 2025 experience, reflecting IFES’ commitment to responsible practice and collective progress.