Venue Selection
Choose venues with environmental certifications (ISO 20121, Green Tourism). Look for renewable energy sources, LED lighting, water-saving systems, and recycling infrastructure. Many UK venues now publish sustainability reports — ask for them.
Catering & Food Waste
Food is one of the biggest sources of event waste. Reduce it by collecting accurate dietary data, offering plant-forward menus (lower carbon footprint), sourcing locally and seasonally, and partnering with food redistribution charities for surplus. Ditch single-use plastics entirely.
Travel & Transport
Delegate travel typically accounts for 70–80% of an event's carbon footprint. Choose venues with strong public transport links. Offer virtual attendance options for those who can't justify the journey. If road travel is necessary, arrange shared coaches rather than individual cars.
Materials & Print
Go digital where possible — event apps instead of printed programmes, digital badges, QR codes for menus and maps. When print is necessary, use FSC-certified paper and vegetable-based inks. Avoid branded giveaways unless they're genuinely useful and sustainably made.
Energy & Production
Use LED lighting and energy-efficient AV equipment. For outdoor events, consider solar-powered generators or mains power connections instead of diesel generators. Brief your production team on sustainability goals — they can often suggest lower-impact alternatives.
Measuring & Offsetting
Measure your event's carbon footprint using tools like the Julie's Bicycle calculator or TRACE. Reduction first, then offset what remains through verified schemes (Gold Standard, Verra). Be transparent about your methodology — attendees appreciate honesty over perfection.
Communicating Your Efforts
Share your sustainability measures with delegates before, during, and after the event. Include it in pre-event comms, signage at the venue, and your post-event report. This isn't greenwashing — it's leadership. It also encourages attendees to make sustainable choices themselves.
Plan a Greener Event
Sustainability is embedded in everything we do at Event Experience. We'll help you plan an event that delivers exceptional results with a lighter environmental footprint.
Plan a Sustainable Event →