Below are some of the venues we’re currently working with who have already taken action to improve their environmental performance:
15 Hatfields, (www.15hatfields.com) the new conference venue located on London’s South Bank at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, used recycled products during its construction.
Arena & Convention Centre, Liverpool (www.accliverpool.com)
Now one of the most sustainable venues in Europe, the ACC, BT Convention Centre and the Echo Arena have been designed to use 20% less electricity and to produce half the CO2 emissions they would without any environmentally-friendly measures.
Thanks to the insulation and air control system, the building’s energy efficiency has been maximised, and lighting efficiency has been maximised by a motion detection system. Rainwater is collected on the roof, pumped through the system and used to flush the toilets, accounting for 40% of the venue’s toilet flushes! In addition, five large, low noise wind turbines situated on the riverside of the venue generate around 10% of the venue’s electricity. The caterers also source local, sustainable and seasonal produce and the venue has a ‘Green Dream Team’, a group of staff who are tasked with coming up with ideas to improve the ACC’s green credentials.
Bluestone, Wales (www.bluestonewales.com)
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority have been closely involved with Bluestone’s Environmental Liaison Officer throughout the development of Bluestone. The venue has implemented a full energy management programme to monitor and minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions, and using the Green Dragon Environmental Management System have set a comprehensive set of annual targets that will be audited by an independent body to improve sustainability performance.
Additional specific measures they have taken to improve their ‘green’ credentials include: Using a biomass energy source to heat the Blue Lagoon indoor leisure pool and Sports Club, the implementation of an approved travel plan, managing and encouraging biodiversity across the site in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, sourcing over 90% of food from local suppliers, using only reusable or recyclable packaging for all Bluestone products sold on site. All of the lodges are triple-glazed and thickly insulated with an EcoWarm thermal concept, and are fitted with low energy light bulbs.
With funding support from the Welsh Assembly Government, Bluestone has fitted solar panels to 100 of the lodges to generate hot water from solar energy. They have also installed an Energy Centre, which saves over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Careys Manor, The New Forest (www.careysmanor.com)
were awarded Gold by the Green Tourism Business Scheme for Excellence in Environmental Practice in May 2007 and are also members of the Considerate Hoteliers Association.
Careys Manor also have a "Green Team" who meet once a month to improve the standards of the venue’s environmentally friendly policies. Recently they have begun an initiative for guests who travel ‘car-free’ to the venue, offering a 10% discount off standard accommodation rates and preferential rates for local attractions.
To improve the green credentials at the venue, they have taken the following steps: All electricity is generated from wind farms and normal light bulbs are being replaced by energy saving light bulbs, the loft insulation has been replaced to be more energy efficient, they have installed water butts, they encourage all guests to turn appliances including TVs off at the mains, they recycle as much paper, plastic, aluminium and glass as possible and purchase recycled toilet paper. In addition, the venue’s three restaurants all use locally sourced, organic and free-range produce. The venue have also become an active member of the community by supporting the New Forest Trust.
Cavendish Conference Venues (www.cavendishconference.com), a group of conference and event venues in London accommodating up to 1300 delegates, were shortlisted for the Visit London Sustainable Tourism Award and worked successfully to become landfill neutral by the end of 2008. They provide organic, fairtrade and locally sourced catering options for their events and are in the process of achieving ISO 14001.
CenterParcs (www.centerparcs.co.uk) have 4 venues across the UK. This group have won numerous sustainable tourism awards thanks to their use of sustainable and environmentally friendly products, their support and use of local suppliers as well as their work in conservation of woodland areas and preservation of natural resources.
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (www.edinburgh-conference.com) have launched a sustainable events initiative called Plan-It Green. As a result of their CSR activity, the venue has achieved a Gold award for Environmental Achievement in Tourism from the Green Tourism Business Scheme in conjunction with Visit Scotland, acknowledging the conference centre’s substantial contribution to sustainability in Scotland in respect of energy and waste efficiency, social involvement and communication.
The Events Team offer support and advice to event organisers on creating a ‘green’ event in respect of catering, waste management, transportation, sustainable procurement and sustainable accommodation. The venue also have a long standing relationship with the Borders Forest Trust (BFT) and have worked together to deliver a simple and effective carbon off-setting initiative. In addition, staff participate in annual “Keep Scotland Tidy” and “Keep Edinburgh Clean” events by picking litter up off the street to raise environmental awareness. All produce is sourced by the caterers from within a 200 mile radius of the venue and as part of Plan-IT Green the venue have introduced an ethos of ‘The 3 R’s:’ Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
Lakewood Conference Centre, Bristol (www.lakewoodcentre.co.uk) have developed a completely carbon neutral barn for corporate events. It is powered entirely by solar panels, rainwater is collected on the roof and the barn also has a state of the art bio fuel central heating system.
Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay (www.rivieracentre.co.uk)
In conjunction with their local tourist board (www.conferencetorquay.co.uk) this venue have achieved a silver award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme and are working to reduce venue emissions by implementing green technologies and new environmental management systems. All new development and construction at the venue is carried out with sustainability in mind and all suppliers’ green policies are vetted to maintain high standards of ethical and environmentally sound procurement.
Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre, Lambourne in Berkshire (http://conferences.sheepdrove.com) was purpose built by environmental campaigners, publishers and farmers Peter and Juliet Kindersley to reflect the concepts of sustainability, consideration for the environment and high quality, organic food. Most ingredients are sourced from the on-site farm, and event attendees are provided with seasonal, organic and ethically produced catering options.
The building was constructed using recycled, renewable and local materials and is powered entirely by renewable ‘Ecotricity’. A computerised Building Management System controls the heating and natural cooling process for best efficiency, and the building was designed specifically to maximise the use of natural daylight, ventilation and insulation. In recognition of this achievement, the venue was awarded the 'Special Award for Sustainable Architecture' in the Civic Trust Awards 2005.
The Oxford Centre, Oxford (www.the-oxford-centre.co.uk) have implemented a programme of extensive recycling, waste reduction, maximisation of energy efficiency and have worked closely with their local community to promote public transport and the park and ride system as the preferred means to transport to the venue. 75% of staff use public transport or cycle to work, and the venue have built a cycle rack for delegates to store their bicycles.
In respect of energy efficiency, low voltage/wattage lighting is used throughout the venue, in some areas some movement sensor lighting controls have been installed and individual heating controls ensure that no heat is wasted. Glass, cardboard and oil are all recycled separately and conference pads and pens are all made from recycled materials. The venue have placed a high priority on providing ethically produced, locally sourced and organic catering options wherever possible and are Members of the Berks Bucks and Oxon Food Group.
Woodland Grange Conference Centre, Leamington Spa (www.wgrange.com) have recently achieved the ISO14001 standard in Environmental Management Systems. This venue have taken extensive steps to improve their sustainability rating. They have appointed a caterer who source all produce from producers within a 70 mile radius who deliver their organic goods to kitchens between 2 and 24 hours after sourcing for optimum nutritional value, freshness and quality.
The venue has achieved significant savings on water, gas and electricity consumption in recent years as part of its CSR plan. The centre has streamlined utilities management practices to avoid unnecessary waste of resource. They have installed volume reducers in showers and on taps and installed plumbed in, rather than bottle fed, water coolers to reduce water wastage.
Energy consumption has also been addressed, and the centre has recently invested in new, highly efficient hand driers which work in seconds and require no heat. Timed light switches, motion detectors and energy efficient light bulbs are also being installed. In addition, Fossil fuel use across the site has been reduced and is now ahead of the Carbon Trust ‘good practice’ target threshold.
If you'd like further information about environmentally considerate venues, call our events team on 08454 637315.
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