BS 8901-Sustainable event management

The much debated BS 8901 - Sustainable Event Management went live at the end of last year, and is available through BSI . 

The new Standard provides requirements for planning and managing sustainable events of all sizes and types, supplemented by advice on how to meet and surpass, these requirements.

It encompasses the entire range of events ranging from large scale conferences and unique events such as the 2012 Olympics to music festivals and air shows.

The standard is applicable throughout the sector supply chain encompassing venues, organizing companies and industry contracting firms and is aimed at the following groups:

• Event organizers
• Venues
• Organizations and/or individuals in the supply chain.

BS 8901 provides guidance in the form of easy to understand practical information designed to assist the user to implement the requirements and those in event management to manage their environmental, financial and social risks and impacts spanning all aspects of event management.

BS 8901 :

• Helps companies to improve sustainability performance within available budgets
• Reduces carbon emissions and waste, improving the resource efficiency of the entire event supply chain
• Presents opportunities for more efficient planning and encourage the re-use of equipment and infrastructure. The standard covers:
• Reduces environmental impacts such as carbon footprint, waste management and effects on biodiversity
• Promotes positive social impacts such as community involvement and fair employment
• Provides economic opportunities such as local investment and long-term viability

 It’s been a slow uptake until now.  the number of companies taking action to extend their CSR to procurement of event related suppliers is definitely on the increase.  The weight, however, added to procurement in some case is disappointing, for example one very well known National institution only values sustainability and ethical practices at 10% of their total scoring perameter. But that’s better than nought. 

So extending CSR into the processes of organising events, at the moment at least, is unlikely to win much business, more likely a pat on the back.  But with green procurement increasing at it’s current rate, we don’t have long to wait.