“Sustainability Starts with Education”: Klara Rajnović on Turning Standards into Everyday Event Practice

How did you first hear about Planet Positive Event?

I first came across Planet Positive Event during this year’s Conventa Awards, where Komunikacijski laboratorij, the agency I work for, participated with two projects. The organisers shared the opportunity to join the education programme with our team, and it immediately caught my interest.

What made you interested in becoming an internal expert?

My interest comes from both personal values and professional curiosity. I grew up surrounded by nature, gardening with my grandmother and father, joining the scouts, and participating in natural science programmes at the Natural History Museum in Rijeka. That early connection stayed with me. Today, I try to live as sustainably as I can: choosing seasonal and local food, being mindful in everyday decisions, spending weekends at eco-workshops, and helping my partner maintain our small garden.

At the same time, I work in the event industry, where a truly sustainable organisation can be challenging. Out of a genuine desire to understand how to do better, both personally and professionally, I applied for the education programme to learn, improve, and bring this knowledge into my everyday work. My agency fully supported this step, which made the experience even more valuable.

How do you understand the significance of the ESRS standards?

They are extremely important. With so many events taking place globally every day, our impact as organisers and consultants is significant. ESRS provides structure, responsibility and long-term direction for how the industry should evolve.

How will the adoption of ESRS standards impact your work in the future?

Knowledge is power. Through the Planet Positive Event education, I became aware of many aspects we often overlook in daily event planning. I’ve already shared this knowledge with my colleagues through an internal training session, and I intend to apply it consistently in future projects.

What features could be added to improve PPE’s platform value to event organizers?

I haven’t tried the demo version yet. In our agency, we plan to apply it to one of our upcoming projects, once a new event cycle begins, because it’s important to approach it responsibly and start gathering all the required data on time.

What challenges do you anticipate event organizers facing when aligning with ESRS, and how can assessors assist?

One of the early challenges will be evaluating the credibility of the data provided by third parties and vendors. Assessors can help interpret requirements, guide organisers on what reliable data looks like, and support them in setting up proper data-collection processes.

How do you see Planet Positive Event helping organizers align with ESRS standards?

Planet Positive Event makes the process easier. The system is structured, intuitive and rich in practical guidance. It simplifies complex requirements and gives event organisers clear steps they can follow, which is extremely valuable.

How do you envision the future of sustainability practices in the events industry, especially with tools like PPE?

I hope the future will bring steady improvement. In Croatia, progress is still relatively slow, but I truly believe, and actively promote, the idea that change starts with each of us. Tools like PPE can accelerate this shift by making sustainability more accessible and actionable.

What key trends or innovations will shape sustainability in event planning over the next few years?

A key set of trends will shape sustainability in event planning over the next few years. Data-driven sustainability will become central, with precise measurements of energy use, waste, mobility and emissions, supported by automated reporting and clearer accountability. At the same time, circular practices will continue to expand, from renting instead of buying and reusing materials to working with low-waste suppliers and designing events so that resources remain in circulation. Mobility will also gain importance, with hybrid formats, low-impact travel and better logistical planning reducing overall footprints. Finally, well-being, inclusivity and social impact will increasingly be recognised as integral parts of sustainability, rather than separate considerations.

What advice would you give to event organizers just beginning their sustainability journey?

Start with education. First, understand and acknowledge what needs to change, and then work step by step. Lead by example – with clients, suppliers, partners and colleagues. Small, consistent improvements create long-term impact.