ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) and Destination Canada today released The State of Sustainability in Associations Report 2025, revealing that while global associations increasingly value sustainability, many still struggle to turn commitment into measurable action.

According to the study, 66% of international associations now rate sustainability as very or extremely important, up from 60% in 2023, but consistent implementation remains elusive. Nearly a quarter (24%) still do not calculate their carbon footprint, and 19% outsource measurement rather than building internal expertise.

The report also highlights a “cost paradox”: 63% cite cost as the top barrier to sustainable event planning, yet 46% are willing to pay 5–24% more for sustainable options—suggesting perception, not price, is the true obstacle.

Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said: “Our industry has moved beyond debating whether sustainability matters. The challenge now is transforming aspiration into accountability. This report provides the insight and evidence our community needs to act with purpose and precision.”

Virginie De Visscher, executive director, Business Events of Destination Canada, said: “At Destination Canada, we are committed to building a more sustainable business events industry—in Canada and around the world. We’re proud to partner with ICCA on this report, and we hope it empowers associations and destinations alike to turn their sustainability goals into lasting impact.”

The full report is available on iccaworld.org.

The State of Sustainability in Associations Report 2025 Methodology

The report is based on the results of a survey conducted between May and August 2025 through a partnership between ICCA and Destination Canada. It builds on data collected in 2023, which allowed for year-over-year comparisons of sustainability trends in the international meetings industry.

The survey drew 249 responses (178 complete) with 125 responses (50.2%) coming from association/non-profit organizations. Thirty-three percent of respondents were from North America (Canada and US); 49% from Europe; 12% from Asia; 4% from South America; and 2% from Africa. Twenty-six percent of respondents represented an event with global rotation (continent to continent).

The State of Sustainability report primarily focuses on the responses from association/non-profit organizations to maintain consistency with organizational decision-making patterns. Responses from broader event industry perspectives (suppliers, planners, CVBs, etc.) were not taken into consideration.