The Greener Events Guide - download the guide incl. checklist here (pdf)
Checklist only (word)
Further information on ISO 20121 (& BS 8901), low carbon hierarchy, carbon offsetting, hiring equipment, delegates with special requirements etc.
Companion Guides
PowerPoint - Exhibiting - Outdoor/community events
To avoid wasting all the effort and resources that have gone into your event, you will want the presentations to work well and, where used, your exhibition stands to be effective. See also the guide on outdoor/community events. Click the links below to download our companion guides:
(i) "7 Dos and Don'ts for using PowerPoint slides at conferences" (pdf) - and forward a copy to your conference speakers.
(ii) "Achieving success from exhibiting at events" (pdf) - and forward a copy to your exhibitors.
(iii) Outdoor/community events (pdf) - detailed guidance and ideas to help ensure your outdooor/community event respects the environment and your neighbours.
ISO 20121 (& BS 8901)
BS 8901, the first national specification for a sustainable event management system with guidance for use, was launched by BSI in November 2007 and updated in 2009 as BS 8901:2009. BS 8901 and BS 8901:2009 highlighted the "Greener Events" guide as reference material.
ISO 20121 (effective June 2012) is based on and supersedes BS 8901:2009 and, like BS 8901:2009, has been designed for the entire range of events from large-scale conferences and unique events such as London 2012 Olympics, to rock festivals and amateur sporting events.
The "Greener Events" guide is particularly useful for smaller, more local events (compared to large-scale national or international events) where a formal management system is not warranted or appropriate. Nevertheless it makes a useful management tool for events of all shapes and sizes and provides a (free) practical complimentary management tool to ISO 20121.
The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in Dorset was one of the first venues to use the greener events guide when it was first launched in 2005. As a 2012 Olympics venue, WPSNA achieved ISO 20121 certification in response to the Sustainable Sourcing Code for the 2012 Games as defined by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). The benefits of ISO 20121 certification for WPNSA included the following:
- the sailing academy has achieved estimated cost savings of approximately 15% through better waste management and electricity optimisation;
- it has gained an enhanced reputation and international recognition as a sustainable business;
- it has reduced the risk of legal breaches; and
- it has futureproofed the facility.
The Low Carbon Hierarchy & Carbon offsetting
For an explanation of the 'low carbon hierarchy' (reduce - replace - neutralise) see Low Carbon South West.
For the Forestry Commission's Woodland Carbon Code that sets out the standards for voluntary carbon sequestration projects that incorporate core principles of good carbon management as part of modern sustainable forest management click here: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/carboncode.
The Woodland Carbon Code is aligned with the criteria set out in other internationally recognised voluntary codes.
How important is the information being disseminated by your event?
Can you maximise access whilst minimising environmental impacts? Consider recording (audio, video, or video linked to slides) your event for subsequent access via the internet. This can ensure many more people take advantage of the information afterwards - thus greatly improving the return on investment from your event - and delegates can re-visit the elements that are important to them.
Consider hiring rather than purchasing equipment for your event
There can be both cost and environmental benefits from hiring the latest eco-efficient equipment/solutions rather than purchasing. The Event Hire Association (www.eha.org.uk), the trade association for event hire and rental companies in the UK with members supplying audio visual, catering, marquee and sanitation hire etc, works with its European counterparts to help reduce environmental impacts in this sector. The EHA can provide advice and details of suppliers via their online member search facility.
Delegates with special requirements
Presentations may need to be signed for deaf attendees, or in braille for those who are blind, for example. If you need to find a sign language interpreter in your area, visit the Association of Sign Language Interpreters' website at www.asli.org.uk, or the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website at www.rnib.org.uk for information on supporting the blind or partially sighted.
Video
Click here to view a short (4 minute) video about the guide on: YouTube.
Publicity Logos & Link
To publicise your organisation's use of the guide and the lower the environmental impact of your event to your potential delegates, you can download special logos here:
publicity logo - landscape version (gif) or
publicity logo - portrait version (gif).
For higher resolution versions click here:
publicity logo - higher res landscape (jpeg 102kb) or
special eps version for publishers (643kb).
Alternatively you could use the following wording on your event programme etc:-
Organised in accordance with the principles of the nationally
recognised "Greener Events" guide (on www.oursouthwest.com)
You could also link your website to this page to encourage others to follow your example. Many others have done so - see list of first users (pdf).
Positive feedback
Here are some of the comments received about the guide:
...one of the best resources we have found
- live event production company, Surrey
...the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers is pleased to recommend use of this guide
- ABPCO's Executive Director, Birmingham
...a significant amount of new conference business has been won as a result of the Greener Events guide
- major North Somerset conference venue (click here for: Case Studies)
...very helpful and refreshingly to the point
- Sustainable Development Commission, London
...the checklist gave us some good ideas...
- Strategic Services Manager for a South West local authority
...good sensible guidance on this vital topic...there is nothing quite as ineffective as a high carbon event on low carbon!
- The Carbon Coach, Marlow
The original edition of the Greener Events Guide was written and produced in 2005 by Phil Harding & Rachel Malone at the Government Office for the South West and backed by Envirowise (now part of WRAP) and the Sustainable Development Commission.
Now managed by
Publicity, Venues using the guide, etc
Thousands of UK events have used this guide since its original launch in 2005 to help reduce environmental impacts!
Venues using the guide and list registration queries
Case studies - increased venue business!
Publicity logos for your events
Positive feedback from the events industry & others
Green events are better quality and more satisfying than brown events
- conference delegate