What evidence-led sustainability means for events
For 15Hatfields, that theme feels especially relevant to the events industry.
Sustainable event planning is not just about good intentions or broad environmental statements. It is about evidence, measurement and the everyday decisions that shape the impact of an event.
Every conference, meeting or reception uses energy and water. It involves food and drink. It creates waste. It brings people, suppliers and materials together.
Those decisions all have an environmental impact.
The more clearly we understand that impact, the better placed we are to reduce it.
There is a lot of talk about sustainability in events. But knowing that something is “better for the environment” is not the same as understanding how much better it is, why it is better, or whether it is making a meaningful difference.
That is where evidence matters.
For event organisers, this might mean looking at the carbon footprint of an event, understanding where food and drink come from, measuring energy consumption, or considering how much waste is being generated.
At 15Hatfields, our event carbon calculator is one way we help clients do this.
After an event, we can provide a complimentary report estimating carbon emissions across areas including energy, food, beverages, food waste and water.
It gives organisers something more useful than a general sustainability statement: information they can actually use.
By understanding where the biggest impacts come from, venues and organisers can ask better questions about what needs to change.
Sustainability can sometimes feel like it requires one big solution. In reality, it is often a collection of smaller decisions, made consistently.
At 15Hatfields, sustainability has been part of our approach since we opened in 2008. Over the years, we have continued to look at how we can measure and reduce our environmental impact, while working with clients, suppliers and partners to do the same.
Our electricity comes from 100% renewable sources, while our solar panels provide more than 90% of the hot water used in the building.
We also use energy-efficient LED lighting and motion-sensitive lighting in areas including our kitchen and washrooms, helping to avoid using energy when it is not needed.
Our AV equipment has been selected with energy efficiency in mind too, including projectors with an eco-mode that reduces power consumption.
None of these measures exists in isolation. Together, they form part of a wider approach to reducing the environmental impact of the venue and the events we host.
For many events, catering is one of the most visible parts of the day. It is also one of the areas where more sustainable choices can make a real difference.
At 15Hatfields, we work with Eden Caterers to make the most of seasonal and locally sourced produce, while offering plenty of plant-based choices.
We also look carefully at food waste.
Over-ordering is an easy trap for events, particularly when organisers understandably want to make sure nobody goes hungry. But good communication between the organiser, venue and caterer can help make sure the right amount of food is prepared.
When food is left over, it does not simply have to go to waste. Our food waste is sent for anaerobic digestion, where it can be broken down to produce biogas and fertiliser.
It is a useful example of why sustainable event planning needs to look at the whole lifecycle of a decision, not just the moment it appears in front of guests.
Carbon is an important part of the conversation, but environmental health is broader than emissions alone.
It is also about the products and materials we use, where they come from and what happens to them afterwards.
At 15Hatfields, reuse and repurposing can be seen throughout the venue. You will find coasters made from recycled tyres and cushions made from end-of-line seatbelts.
Even our reception desk has a story behind it. It was created using reclaimed medical equipment and recycled plastic packaging.
These details may seem small, but they reflect an important principle: before buying something new, it is worth asking whether something that already exists can be given another life.
One of the most important parts of this year’s World Environmental Health Day theme is the emphasis on protecting communities.
Environmental challenges are rarely something one organisation can solve alone. The same is true for events.
A venue can make responsible choices about its building, operations and supplier relationships, but every event also involves caterers, production companies, organisers, delegates and many other people.
That is why the relationships we have with our partners are so important.
Working with organisations that share our approach allows us to look beyond what happens within the walls of 15Hatfields and consider the wider supply chain too.
For event organisers, it is worth asking suppliers about their own environmental practices, rather than assuming sustainability stops at the venue entrance.
For us, “Standing with Science to Protect Communities” is ultimately about making informed choices.
It is about asking questions, looking at the evidence and being prepared to change the way we do things when there is a better approach.
The events industry has a role to play here.
Events bring people together, and that gives us an opportunity to show that sustainability and great experiences can work together.
Whether it is choosing a venue powered by renewable energy, reducing food waste, increasing plant-based options, measuring an event’s carbon footprint or finding new ways to reuse materials, every decision contributes to the bigger picture.
And the more we understand about the impact of those decisions, the better equipped we are to make the next one.
At 15Hatfields, we are continuing to look at what the evidence tells us, what we can improve and how we can work with our clients and partners to make events more sustainable.
Because protecting our environment is not just about what happens tomorrow. It is about creating healthier, more sustainable places and communities for everyone.
If you are looking for a London venue where sustainability is built into the way your event is delivered, we can help.
From renewable energy and sustainable catering to carbon measurement and responsible event practices, 15Hatfields supports organisers who want to plan more considered events.
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