‘Just because you used to kill polar bears, and now you only kill bunny rabbits doesn’t make you David f**king Attenborough’ Are industry sustainability accreditations meaningful… or just a pretty badge? Claims of sustainability, and the associated badges of honour are everywhere right now. Industries from construction to llama farming, including the events industry, are rolling out their own accreditations, kitemarks and awards. On the surface, that all sounds jolly positive, doesn’t it? But are some of these ‘standards’ making some industries look better than they really are? Using an event industry example, does replacing a fleet of decrepit, diesel guzzling HGVs with some slightly newer ones, or sending all your one-time-use items to recycling (where over half of it will end up in landfill) really help? Do you deserve to call yourself sustainable because you’re not quite as bad as you used to be? As one expert dryly noted, ‘Just because you used to kill polar bears, and now you only kill bunny rabbits doesn’t make you David f**king Attenborough’ That said, the phrase, ‘Don’t let not being perfect stop you from being better’ is oft-used in the sustainability community, and all attempts to reduce your carbon footprint and be more sustainable should be applauded. But let’s be clear: not all accreditations are created equal. Accreditations like BCorp, ESGMark or various ISOs are deliberately hard to obtain. They dive deep into governance, supply chains, labour, community impact, transparency—and they demand evidence. They’re designed to challenge organisations, not flatter them. By contrast, industry accreditations can be narrow in scope, sometimes light on verification and, most importantly, built by the same sector they’re certifying. The phrase ‘marking your own homework’ springs to mind. Awards can be given for vague commitments: ‘We promise to be net zero by 2050’ Oh, well done you! Have a bronze award! Or for, let’s call them ‘mild’ improvements: ‘We’ve replaced one of our 10 diesel generators with a solar panel’ Bravo! That deserves a silver! On the flipside, early adopters, who reduced their carbon footprint long ago, some even having already achieved net zero, can lose out: ‘What improvements did you make last year?’ Erm, well not many to be honest. We’re already certifiably net zero. ‘Sorry. No points for that’ That doesn’t automatically make industry accreditations bad – and let’s be really clear: we know some events companies who only have industry accreditations who are doing a really good job, and they care - but it does raise questions about what a ‘5-Star/Gold’ rating really means, right? How would it stack up against a BCorp? Would the same company manage to achieve the standards to be ESGMark certified? Maybe. But not definitely. That’s because when industry associations design their own standards, there are obvious tensions: • Make the standards too hard to achieve and companies (and their membership fees) start to drift away • Make it too easy and the badge is meaningless and everyone looks sustainable – so why would you try to be better? • And of course, you can never rule out the old boys’ network, can you? If a major industry player doesn’t like the rating they’ve been given, they may threaten to cancel their membership, reducing the status and the very existence of the industry body. Has that happened? Who knows? We’re not saying that it has. But would you bet against it? As a consumer, how do you navigate this? Do you completely disregard industry accreditations? Do you only work with ESGmark and BCorp companies? Well, no. But there’s probably a pecking order, which might be something like this: First Choice: independently accredited companies Second Choice: industry accredited companies And, if you’re serious about sustainability, there isn’t a third choice. Not anymore.

Play It Green member, The Sustainable Events Company, is a UK-based agency that has redefined what it means to run large-scale, professional events without compromising the planet. With years of experience, they specialise in sustainable event delivery for clients ranging from SMEs to startups. Their focus is clear. Events should inspire, connect, and entertain, without damaging the environment. Whether it is a large exhibition, a high-profile celebration, or a behind-the-scenes consultancy brief, their goal is the same. They create sustainable events that feel seamless, professional, and exciting. Delivering impact with integrity The Sustainable Events Company manages every kind of business event, from awards dinners and company meetings to product launches and exhibitions. Their exhibition stands are designed to be low-carbon, waste-free, and easy to install. They work across the UK and internationally, making sure their footprint is as light as the delivery is strong. They also provide consultancy and carbon reporting to agencies, event organisers, and corporate teams. Their support helps others meet ESG goals, reduce emissions, and track impact, all while staying compliant with international standards. Sustainability is not just an add-on. It is the starting point for everything. They use recycled or recyclable materials that can be processed locally. They avoid single-use items wherever possible. Food is sourced locally, with leftovers donated. The emissions that are left over after a careful management process are rebalanced through trusted programmes. One tree is planted for every delegate or square metre of stand space. A portion of their turnover is donated to social and environmental causes. A celebration with a sustainable core. One of the company’s most impressive projects took place this year in support of a major marathon team. For the last two years, The Sustainable Events Company has helped organise their pre-marathon event. Usually, this is an exclusive evening attended by around 200 leading names in the running world. This year, the event went public for the first time. Held at Outernet in Central London, a venue known for its four-storey-high immersive screens, the event marked the 45th anniversary of the London marathon and celebrated a record number of finishers and charitable funds raised. The daytime portion was open to thousands of visitors. A bespoke video montage played across the venue’s enormous screens. Paula Radcliffe dropped by. Fun public activations engaged audiences. It was spectacular from start to finish. But the sustainable planning made it even more impressive. Guests arrived on foot, by Underground, or ran in. Local suppliers provided catering, with mostly meat-free options. Across the whole day, with as many as 20,000 visitors, just three bags of waste were produced, one of which was compostable. This event showed what The Sustainable Events Company does best. It created awe and wonder while delivering outstanding environmental results. There was no compromise, just better planning, smarter choices, and experience in action. A business built on trust and results. The Sustainable Events Company has been recognised with the ESGmark, the only UK event business to receive this accreditation. Their leadership has appeared in Event Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in the industry. But their real success lies in client satisfaction. Over 90 per cent of their business comes from recommendations. Clients trust them to deliver flawless events that meet rising expectations around sustainability. The data backs it up. More than 75 per cent of event attendees and 80 per cent of sponsors now prefer to work with events that take environmental concerns seriously. This is a company built for the modern world. They are experienced, efficient, and committed to making things better. They understand the demands on corporate teams and the expectations of the public. And they prove that you can have both excellence and responsibility. Wrap up The Sustainable Events Company is setting a standard for how events should be done. Not in the future. Now. They show that creative vision and climate action can work together in perfect balance. By working with local suppliers, reducing waste, measuring impact, and rebalancing what remains, they are leading a shift in how businesses think about events. They deliver moments that matter, without the mess.

Global temperatures rose (again) in 2024 and ‘once in a generation’ extreme weather events seemed to be on our news channels almost weekly. But, as the start of each year is a time for optimism, here are some good news stories from 2024 that give us hope for 2025: 1. There was another significant increase in renewable energy, mostly driven by ever cheaper solar power. 2. Deforestation in the Amazon reached a 9-year low and is on target to hit zero by 2030. 3. Coal power was completely phased out in the UK. 4. In the US, for one month, wind power was dominant. 5. And huge areas of forests, mountains, oceans and rivers have become conservation areas, boosting biodiversity. All little changes (in the grand scheme of things), but 'little changes lead to bug changes'. Here's hoping that 2025 is better again.