An online venue
directory is helping event planners source sustainable locations by showcasing
venues with carbon offsetting programmes.
Planners can now easily find venues
that have carbon offsetting measures in place using the new Carbon Offset icon
displayed on each venue profile on venuedirectory.com. Information on the measures each venue is taking to offset
the carbon generated from each meeting and event will also be available.
Michael Begley, senior director of sales and
operations at venuedirectory.com,
said: “As the UK's largest database of
green accredited venues we want to support planners in making a
sustainable choice as well as providing the data they need to report on their
own carbon footprint. Our new Carbon Offset icon helps planners with ‘green
wayfinding’, enabling them to instantly identify truly sustainable venues.”
The carbon offset icon is one of the search
criteria in venuedirectory.com,
as well as on the GRATIS platform, making it easy to find a venue which
supports a planner’s own sustainability requirements.
Begley added: “Not only does an event itself contribute to emissions
through catering and energy use, for example, but associated emissions such as
travel to and from the event can add up to hundreds or even thousands of tonnes
of carbon emissions in a short space of time.
“We want to help event planners address the impact of these emission,
particularly as the 2050 Net Zero target edges ever closer.”
Venuedirectory.com is partnering
with Trees4Travel which
plants trees in developing countries to offset carbon emissions generated by
travel.
Trees4Travel chief eco officer, Nico
Nicholas, said; “The conference and events industry can be a real beacon in the
dark, guiding a more sustainable way of doing business, as long as the right
tools are in place for attendees. The ‘eco-economies of scale’ provided
by a large single gathering over thousands of individual meetings are massive
if we can ensure that one assembly is planet and people positive. Trees4Travel
can do this through transparent and accurate CO2e calculation, and subsequent
tree growing and green energy investment."
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
