Green Events Code launch: Sustainable events for local authorities

The Green Events Code (GECOP) is a new set of standards to be trialled by the events industry (that’s us!) and local authorities. As an industry leader on sustainability, our very own Shambala team members supported the development of this clear and consistent code of best practice for the sector.

Local authorities are obliged to support the UK government in reaching its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and many have declared a Climate Emergency. However, meaningful, measurable and conjoined approaches have not yet been achieved. To find a combined solution with decades of experience, sustainability think tanks in outdoor event sustainability: Vision 2025 and Julie’s Bicycle recently launched a year-long pilot with 10 local authorities to test embedding the GECOP into local authority processes. The project is part-funded by Arts Council England.

The GECOP focuses on seven key areas of event sustainability: governance, energy, travel and transportation, food & drink, materials and waste, water and positive influence. Check out the finer details here: Green Events Code.

Since our beginnings, Kambe have lead the way on event sustainability initiatives and influence:

Governance – we’re working toward an employee-owned structure
Energy – We’ve reduced our Scope 1 & 2 emissions by over 90% and built businesses with our suppliers to advise others (Powerful Thinking).
Travel – 35% of our audience arrive on public transport.
Food & drink – We’ve achieved things like: meat + fish free, zero-waste, local oat milk, predominantly-local and 50% organic/regenerative produce in our Crew catering, to name a few.
Materials + waste – We’ve worked with the same supplier for 15 years and reduced waste, boosted recycling, have campsite compost that goes to support a local community farm, and produced green guides for all our venue managers.
Water – We’ve been plastic-free since 2013 and have free water all over site.
Positive influence – We’ve started and supported reams of businesses, in cahoots with our audience we co-founded ecolibrium, for truly trusted offsetting.