BS 8901: Make your event sustainable

Our climate is changing with potentially substantial implications for governments and industries. The events industry is no exception. Anyone involved in organising and managing events needs to understand these trends and the implications on their business in order to implement strategies that will enable the business to respond in a more sustainable way.

BS 8901 is the British Standard which has been developed specifically for the events industry. The standard provides a framework of good practice and defines the requirements for a sustainable event management system to ensure an enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress. The standard was published in November 2007 and BSI is the first of the major certification bodies to launch this as a certifiable standard that is applicable for events of any size from the Olympic Games to a local village fete.

London 2012
 
London 2012 was a key driver behind the development of the standard as it wanted to demonstrate the sustainability performance of the London Olympic Games. It continues its commitment to sustainability by ensuring, through the published guidelines, that all events between now and 'Games-time' are organised and staged in a sustainable way.

Mike Low, director of BSI, commented: 'BSI British Standards and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) worked together to develop the idea for a sustainable event standard following the successful London 2012 bid. Driven by the desire to produce a sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG worked closely with BSI to set up, draft, consult and run trials on BS 8901, specification for a sustainable event management system with guidance for use. LOCOG will seek to use BS 8901 fully in its supply chains to enable delivery of the 'most sustainable Games yet'. The standard will enable the events sector to operate a sustainable management system and it is hoped that future initiatives, small or large, will be inspired by the good work started by LOCOG in partnership with BSI British Standards in this important area of sustainability'.

From recycling or reusing demolition waste, to creating a sustainable food strategy during the Games time to promote healthy living, the plan is intended to be a wide ranging look at how London 2012 is ensuring that all aspects of its preparation and staging of the Games are undertaken in a sustainable way. London 2012 is the first summer Games to develop such a comprehensive and integrated approach, which goes beyond being 'green' to include key socio-economic issues such as leaving skills, employment and business legacies in east London - and boosting sport participation throughout the nation.

The first edition of its sustainability guidelines, in line with BS 8901, were published in March and they set out a simple framework for improving the sustainability of events, focusing on key topic areas which are most relevant to the types of events which will be organised in the lead-up to the Games. London 2012 will continually review how the guidelines are performing in practice and will release updated editions.

Six other organisations were also involved in the pilot assessment of the BS 8901 standard, these include; Organise This, The SMS group, Earls Court and Olympia Venues, Faversham House and Reed Exhibitions Ltd, all of which have gone on to achieve certification to the standard.

About BS 8901

It is important that all aspects of an event are sustainable. Event organisers need to consider the social, economic and environmental impacts of organising their event. Every choice, from the venue and travel arrangements, through to the content of the delegate packs should be designed to be as ecologically and socially responsible as possible.

BSI believes that the standard will be relevant to some 150 event organisers, 8000 event venues and 1600 suppliers and contractors in the UK as well as a large market of small suppliers. The standard is applicable to clients including big brands, industry associations and councils, the organisers or individuals involved in the overall co-ordination of the event and suppliers and event venues including stand builders, hotels, convention centres or sports venues.

BS 8901 follows the common 'plan-do-check-act' approach of many management system standards and defines three phases of event management:

Phase One: Planning - this phase requires an organisation to define its policy and commitment to sustainable development. Stakeholders and sustainability issues are required to be identified and key performance indicators for improved event sustainability are set.

Phase Two: Implementation - this phase requires an organisation to define responsibilities, ensure staff are sufficiently trained and competent and provide sufficient resources to implement and operate its event management system. It also requires it to manage its supply chain.

Phase Three: Check and review - the final phase is about monitoring, measuring and evaluating the event in relation to the management system and the objectives set, and then taking action to continually improve event performance.

Rob Wallis, EMEA managing director, BSI, comments, "The event industry is now beginning to consider its impact on the environment, with large scale events now taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint and many others looking at the social impact of their events to ensure it is in line with its corporate social responsibility. Managing events in accordance with BS 8901 provides assurance to stakeholders, customers and anyone else involved that the event takes place in a sustainable manner. Certification to this standard can also help differentiate an organisation from its competitors, helping to win new business, improving reputation and brand image and also helping to meet customer demands as increasing numbers will only trust credible suppliers that can prove that they are sustainable.

"It is important for organisations to remember that sustainability covers much more than just being green. BS 8901 encompasses all areas of sustainability including environment, social and economic factors. This includes improving social and economic impact such as community involvement and fair employment, securing local investment and long term viability as well as reducing carbon emissions and waste."

BS 8901 also offers the following commercial benefits:

• provides assurance to stakeholders, customers and anyone else involved that the event has been planned and implemented in a sustainable manner
• helps differentiate an organisation from its competitors, helping to win new business, improving reputation and brand image
• helps reduce carbon emissions and waste, and improve resource efficiency of the entire event supply chain

To find out more about how BSI can help you put effective measures and controls in place to minimise the impacts of your events and continually improve your efforts in sustainability, download the BS 8901 datasheet here

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What are the BS8901 guidlines on car parking provision to serve a public event?

Peter Keenahan, n/a - 17/08/2011
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iso 9000

iso 9000, blacksoft - 10/10/2011




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