Education

Since 2005 Positive Impact has existed to provide education to create a sustainable event sector. In 2022 the criteria of the Race to Zero campaign (an initiative supporting the mandate of UN Climate Change High Level Champions) included a requirement for 'engagement activity' to advance net zero commitments and it became clear to the Positive Impact team that existing Positive Impact education could support this.

The decision was made to submit Positive Impact's education to the world's leading and largest independent Continuing Professional Development accreditation institution operating across all industry sectors.

Since September 2022 professionals from all sectors (including marketing, HR and sustainability) can access Positive Impact education and be eligible for CPD hours. Each of our education options below provides a specific number of CPD hours.

Watch this animation to find out more about our courses.

  • ISO 20121:2024 Event Sustainability : from Understanding to Implementation.

    This self-paced, online two part course is designed for event and sustainability professionals looking to implement ISO 20121:2024.

    Developed in partnership with BSI, the course provides the knowledge and resources needed to integrate this international standard into event management.

    ✔ Earn 3 CPD hours
    ✔ Flexible, self-paced learning
    ✔ Practical tools for real-world application
    ✔ Join a support leadership network

    Watch this animation to find out more

    Find out more

  • Online Event: Sustainability Strategy Setting for Events

    This self-paced online event spans a duration of one week, allowing participants to engage with the material at their own convenience.

    Participants can earn a total of 13 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours by completing the course requirements within the designated time frame.

    The event aims to provide valuable insights and knowledge in a flexible format, making it accessible to a wider audience.

    Content includes webinars, animations, toolkits and more.

    Watch this animation to find out more

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  • How to plan a sustainable event.

    • Beginner/Intermediate online

    • Self paced

    • Worth 11.5 CPD hours

    Understand how to engage with your CEO or Head of Sustainability and deliver a sustainable event (e.g. meetings, product launch, event sponsorship etc.)

    This course provides practical resources to take action.

    Find out more

  • Educate

    Educate is an ideal starting point for learning to run sustainable events like meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.

    Introductory course

    Self-paced

    Earn 12 CPD hours

    This course is essential for those in the events, marketing, or communications roles within companies focused on sustainability.
    Find out more

  • How to advance the Paris Agreement through your events

    • Intermediate to advanced online course

    • Self paced

    • Worth 12 CPD hours

    Learners will be given access to practical resources covering the following topics which align to the Race to Zero and Paris Agreement Commitments:

    • Commit

    • Measure

    • Business strategy

    • Reduce your own emissions

    • Reduce your value chain emissions

    • Contribute to climate action in society.

    Find out more

  • Thanks again for providing such great content and resources as always. I am coming away from this event more inspired and motivated to use my influence to increase the impact our sector can make to ensure a sustainable future.

    Hannah Patterson

  • I am impressed with all that Fiona and Team do. All the info is extremely well explained. All the resources and courses that you are sharing with the world are excellent. The education on carbon measurement, positive acceleration action and net zero carbon strategy, were well done.

    Laura Notarbartolo - CEO and Founder, Italian Special Events

  • The panel discussion about human and child right with Unicef UK was most interesting.. I haven’t ever thought about human and child right connecting with event planning.

    Cerespo, Japan

 FAQ

  • Professional bodies often use the terms ‘CPD hours’, ‘CPD points’ or ‘CPD credits’ typically due to historical reasons based on the approach they took when implementing their CPD policy.

    CPD points relate to CPD hours. The definition of a CPD hour is the time spent for a delegate in ‘active learning’. Active learning describes the actual time spent learning relevant to the continuing professional development objectives. The majority of professional bodies use CPD hours as their continuing professional development measure and where CPD points or credits are used, these are typically 1:1 with CPD hours i.e. 1 CPD point equals 1 CPD hour.

    For more information see the CPD website.

  • Yes you will. Each course has learning outcomes and to receive the CPD hours and certificate you will need to complete a final asssessment. The courses are self-paced learning. The event programmes where you can gain CPD hours may have time specifications.

  • We don't expect the majority of HR, Marketing and Sustainability professionals to have heard of Positive Impact before, however it is important that you know our background so you can understand that the content being used to shape your learning experience is the same strategic content that is shaping CEO and government strategy around the world. You can find out more about our history, and read our annual report which we submit to three different UN bodies.

  • Yes! Once you have signed up for a course you will be able to access the course at your own convenience for one year after purchase. Only the 48 hour event content will not be available after the event

  • Once you have purchased a course it is there for you to access at any time in a one year period. Only the 48 hour event Sustainability Strategy for Events will close at the stated time.

  • The courses were designed to be affordable - each one has a fee so please review the course information on this page.

  • Yes absolutely, just email info@positive-impact-event.com and include a few more details so that one of our team can contact you.

  • If you are a Positive Impact Ambassador and you are in action to use your voice to create a sustainable event sector Positive Impact will support you to access education. Please fill in our Ambassador Education Request form.

  • If you are just starting out on your sustainability training, we would recommend you start with Educate and the online event Sustainability Strategy Setting for Events