In recent years, the events industry has made significant strides towards greater sustainability. But with progress has come (quite rightly) more pressure from stakeholders to move beyond just talking about it and begin to show real evidence.
For brands, agencies and venues looking to work with suppliers that align with their sustainability goals, that proof can show up in different ways. It might be formal certifications like ISO, B Corp or ECOsmart, carbon measurement platforms like TRACE by isla, or partnerships with consultancies like From Now or The Bulb. There’s no one-size-fits-all route; what matters is recognising the industry’s impact and taking steps to reduce it in ways that suit your organisation.
At Universal Live, this has been a key area of focus. Following the achievement of ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certifications earlier this year, the business is now proud to have just achieved ISO 20121, the international standard specifically for sustainability in events.
“We were already operating in a largely sustainable manner,” said Neil Clappison, Special Projects and Sustainability Lead at Universal Live. “But the difference is, now we’ve gone through a robust process to prove that. ISO 20121 gives us structure, visibility and accountability and crucially, it’s a framework that helps us to keep improving.”
Whilst Universal Live has achieved these three certifications in one year, the company is quick to stress that the journey doesn’t stop here.
“Sustainability is not a one-and-done,” said Operations Director Ben Phillips. “We’ve worked hard to put the right people, policies and processes in place but it is about continuing to question, challenge and evolve the way we work.”
That message is important for the industry as a whole in that real progress doesn’t always come from drastic change. It really is about taking the first step and building from there. It may mean setting some small objectives, engaging with specialist consultants or choosing a certification route, every single action is a step in the right direction and is certainly better than no action at all.
The live events industry has a huge environmental footprint, from travel and freight to power and waste. It’s vital to recognise that whilst events play an important role in fostering connection and community, we must also be mindful of how we deliver that impact. The challenge now is to continue creating meaningful experiences for audiences whilst reducing the harm to the planet and that requires ongoing commitment.
“We don’t claim to have all the answers,” added Neil. “But we do believe in putting the systems, people and support in place to keep asking the right questions and then acting on them.”
If you’re looking for an AV partner that combines creativity with a genuine commitment to sustainability, Universal Live offers proven expertise and a structured approach. By choosing Universal Live, clients can be confident they are working with a company dedicated to continuous improvement, transparency and delivering impactful yet responsible events. To explore how Universal Live can support your next event and sustainability objectives, get in touch with Charli Briggs, Account Director at Universal Live on charli.briggs@universal-live.com.
