A commitment from the tourism industry towards sustainability

700 venues & hotels across the UK are already using the Green Tourism standard to provide reassurance to their procurement teams. The Meetings Show and its parent company Northstar Travel Group are committing to supporting the net zero goal to inspire change in the travel, meetings and hospitality sectors

The awards certification programme run by Green Tourism recognises the commitment of tourism businesses which are actively working to become more sustainable.  Bronze, Silver and Gold awards are acknowledged worldwide as an indicator of good environmentally-friendly practice, and are a great way of progressing on a green journey as well as acting as a hallmark of ‘green quality’, attracting custom from increasing numbers of eco-minded visitors.

Public and corporate sector venues onboard include: Olympia London, Manchester International Conference Centre, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Manchester United, Leeds University, BMA House, Central Hall Westminster, Glaziers Hall, and the QEII Centre.

Second nature to business
Greener Tourism seeks to create an environment where acting responsibly becomes second nature to businesses in the tourism and meetings and event industry, and becoming a member of Green Tourism is a brilliant first step to getting greener. When businesses devote some time and energy to contribute to local people, it becomes part of investing in a truly sustainable and ethical mindset. By encouraging staff and individuals to play their part in a business’s green journey, they will feel respected and valued; as well as ensuring a happy and eco-aware workforce.

Living and operating sustainably is a process that involves promoting and caring for the natural environment, helping conserve the local area and its economy and supporting local suppliers of ethically-produced, seasonally-grown food and drink. Greener Tourism encourages members to actively introduce guests or consumers to genuine experiences, both in the great outdoors and those involving arts, craft and culture. The organisation is committed to a low carbon future and finding new ways to reduce the industry’s footprint. Greener Tourism aims to inform and inspire participating businesses about the circular economy, ecological and cultural diversity and ensuring efficient use of our planet’s resources.
Having launched in 2021, the Green Meetings standard is achieved at Gold, Silver or Bronze, and is assessed online against a strict three-pillar sustainability criteria through Green Tourism’s GreenCheck™ platform. The criteria, which focuses on people, places and planet, allow venues and event organisers to easily identify and measure sustainable practices and will be examined by independent assessors. Driving best sustainable practice, the elements within this criteria are all-encompassing, ranging from energy, water, and waste through to catering, procurement and travel, as well as awareness, communication and community involvement.

Catalyst
Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the mia, said of the standard: “We are moving into a new era of business meetings and events. Covid-19 has been a catalyst in focussing the industry on what is important, and sustainability will play a vital role in supporting the sector’s road to recovery. While it has been a focus for the mia in recent years, after a comprehensive review of the market to further evolve our sustainability member offering, we are pleased to announce this ground-breaking partnership for the sector. This significant step will also boost client confidence as mia members will display the Green Meetings standard, showing their commitment to people, places, and our planet.”

The Meetings Show
The Meetings Show has pledged to reach net zero by 2050, cutting carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, in signing the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge. Working with strategic partner isla, The Meetings Show and its parent company Northstar Travel Group are committing to supporting the net zero goal to inspire change in the travel, meetings and hospitality sectors and champion future sustainable growth.

Before the end of 2023, the show will publish its pathway to achieving net zero by 2050 with an interim target that is in line with the Paris Agreement’s requirement to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.

Putting the commitment into practice the show will, this year, measure and track GHG emissions according to industry best practice. The data outcomes will inform future decision-making and support the show to drive more effective collaboration with partners and suppliers to reduce emissions, as well as use the learnings to facilitate and encourage positive change among its supply chain and exhibitors. Progress will be reported.

The Meetings Show is also committed to educating other events professionals to influence and shape sustainable change through its thought-provoking educational content as well as its Complete Sustainable Events Course, which was successfully launched last year in partnership with isla. The second series of the course will be opening in September.

Jack Marczewski, event director of The Meetings Show, said: “It is vital that the events industry works together to achieve the net zero goal. As The Meetings Show is part of Northstar Travel Group, it is important for us to not only champion best practice but demonstrate our commitment through improving our own sustainability performance.”

Make Venues
Make Venues has introduced Sustainability Champions across its venues with the aim of integrating the businesses sustainability objectives into every level of the company. The appointments form part of the group’s sustainability strategy and will play a critical role in helping to deliver its environmental promises and aspirations.

Three ambassadors, one at each of Make Venue’s three venues, will work in partnership with the senior management team both within the venue and at group level, ensuring that sustainability isn’t just led from the top, but has support and involvement at every level of the business. As part of the role, each individual acts as an enabler to not only oversee sustainability processes but also suggest changes that may improve Make Venues’ sustainability credentials further.