TED Events is taking meaningful action to lead by example when it comes to managing the environmental impact of their events. In this, Q&A, we hear from Kyle Shearer, Director of Event Operations at TED, and Shawna McKinley, a sustainability consultant who has helped shape TED’s evolving approach to responsible event design.

From the early wake-up call of a post-event waste report to the bold ambitions of TED Countdown, Kyle and Shawna share insights into the challenges, turning points, and lessons learned as they’ve worked to embed sustainability into the fabric of TED’s global events.

What were the key drivers that marked the start of TED’s sustainability journey?

2018, a post-event waste report sparked a turning point for the TED events team. The impact was clear: events generate significant waste. We knew we had to do better. We began with simple changes—eliminating single-use plastics, reducing printed materials, and sourcing more sustainable products. Within a year, we cut event waste by 13%. Then came TED Countdown. As our global climate initiative, it pushed us further—we introduced carbon tracking, vetted mitigation strategies, and a planning framework that put sustainability at the center of every decision. What started as small steps is now a core value, guiding how we design, plan, and produce events—responsibly.

What’s the biggest challenge that you’ve had to overcome when implementing sustainable practices into your events at TED?

One of the biggest challenges in making TED events more sustainable is bridging ambition with practicality. Every location—whether Vancouver, Nairobi, or Atlanta—brings different infrastructure, regulations, and limitations. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But the deeper shift has been cultural: moving sustainability from a “nice to have” to a non-negotiable. That means rethinking design, collaborating closely with venues and vendors, and proving that sustainability can elevate—not complicate—the experience. It’s an ongoing process, but every challenge has made our events more resilient, adaptive, and aligned with our mission.

Do you have any top tips for those who may just be starting out addressing the environmental impact of their organisation?

Finding the silent heroes already acting on sustainability can be a fun way to uncover what’s already working and celebrate those contributions. You can also ask event team members about opportunities they see, the obstacles they face and what they’d like to do next. Honouring those already doing the work and co-creating next steps together builds a shared sense of ownership.

Do you have any tips for working through challenges around getting internal buy-in on sustainability actions when it’s not currently seen as a priority?

Find a community of peers you can talk with about your challenges. A sustainable event network can provide outside perspectives and may reveal a new approach. They can be a shoulder to lean on if you’re feeling discouraged. Peers can also endorse your work to your internal stakeholders, which may encourage them to buy-in. We all have an opportunity to support and uplift each other in that way.

What are the next steps on TED’s sustainability journey?

We’re doubling down on impact—investing in better data, smarter carbon mitigation, and deeper integration of sustainability into every phase of event planning. Equally important is our commitment to values-aligned collaboration. We’re working with vendors who share our goals and are eager to innovate alongside us. And we’re broadening the lens—expanding our focus to include equity, accessibility, and community investment as essential pillars of sustainable events. It’s not just about reducing impact—it’s about reshaping what responsible event design looks like.