News & Press Releases

BS8901

What is BS8901?
If there was ever any doubt over the importance of sustainable practice in the events industry, they should have been quelled by the announcement of the new British Standard, BS8901in November. With the aim of providing ‘a management system that helps you to incorporate sustainability into work in the events industry’, the standard is something of a benchmark, and it is around to stay.

Is it Relevant to You?
If you work in events the simple answer is yes. There is no size of company or event which the standard is targeted at. From small meetings to large scale conferences, it is intended to set out a guideline to make that event as sustainable as possible. The British Standards website describes the people intended to benefit from the standard as those involved in the following;

 -Event organization
 -Venues
 -Organizations and/or individuals in the supply chain. 

The standard comes in a timely fashion, as London’s businesses begin to gear up for the Olympics in 2012. Organizers of the games have claimed that it will be the greenest ever, with special efforts made to reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and use ‘green transport’. So event organizers and venues hoping to get a slice of the Olympic pie should get their green credentials together!

Benefits
This point reiterates the importance of not looking at sustainability as purely marketing or fad, but more a way of practicing business in the most efficient, least damaging way. There are obvious benefits to be gained from this. The British Standards website outlines the following benefits to be gained from BS 8901:

• Help companies to improve sustainable performance within available budgets
• Reduce carbon emissions and waste, improving the resource efficiency of the entire event supply chain
Present opportunities for more efficient planning and encourage the re-use of equipment and infrastructure.  The standard covers:
• Reduce environmental impacts such as carbon usage, waste management and effects on biodiversity
• Improve social impacts such as community involvement and fair employment
• Establish economic impacts such as local investment and long-term viability

To find out more visit the British Standards website (Click Here).

DO YOU think BS8901 is a good thing? send us your thoughts and we will publish them along with this article! Please send your comments to Hugh. hugh@londonmice.co.uk


If you are an event organizer or venue and you are already making efforts to be more sustainable, or would like to get more information on how, get in touch on the contact below! 
 

Contact Hugh
E: hugh@londonmice.co.uk        T: 020 7202 4747