AP LIVE’s Approach to Sustainability in the Events Industry

The environmental impact of events is undeniable – from waste generation to the carbon footprint of travel, venues, and production. As the world grapples with growing environmental challenges, it’s crucial that we take responsibility and minimise our impact.

At AP LIVE, we don’t view sustainability as a mere trend; it’s a necessity. We are committed to integrating eco-friendly practices into every event. Ensuring we deliver outstanding experiences while protecting the planet for future generations. In this blog, we’ll discuss why sustainability is essential when planning and executing events, and how we are making it a core part of our mission.

Sustainability at AP LIVE: Our Commitments to a Greener Future

Supply Chain Employment Conditions:

Sustainability extends beyond environmental efforts; it also encompasses the people behind the products and services we use. At AP LIVE, we’re dedicated to ethical sourcing and collaborate only with suppliers who adhere to high employment standards. We thoroughly assess supplier practices and avoid engaging with those whose policies don’t align with our values – unless they demonstrate a clear plan for improvement. By ensuring ethical labour practices, we contribute to a fairer and more sustainable industry. We prioritise the use of local labour and materials to support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Energy Efficiency at AP LIVE’s Premises:

Reducing energy consumption is a priority for us at AP LIVE, both in our offices and during events. Our sister companies purpose-built headquarters are designed for energy efficiency, featuring insulated construction to minimise heating and cooling needs, along with a biomass boiler to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, we use LED lighting with motion sensors to eliminate unnecessary energy use. We are constantly exploring new energy-saving initiatives, such as building management systems to optimise heating and lighting. These efforts help reduce our carbon footprint and foster a culture of sustainability within our team.

Sustainable Transport: Reducing Emissions

Transportation is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly air travel. To mitigate this, AP LIVE is committed to promoting alternatives like video conferencing and using low-emission options for essential travel. For local operations, we optimise truck usage. In addition, our sister companies are exploring the possibility of transitioning to electric vehicles and evaluating alternatives to fossil fuels. These actions collectively help reduce our carbon footprint across both our organisation and supply chain.

Additionally, our team works remotely, significantly reducing our carbon footprint by eliminating the need for daily commutes. This practice not only cuts down on emissions but also supports a healthier work-life balance for our employees.

Conscious Material Use and Waste Reduction:

Sustainability lies at the heart of how we manage materials and waste at AP LIVE. We prioritise sustainable product purchases, favouring recycled or upcycled materials, and recommend digital branding to clients in place of printed materials. When physical products are necessary, we will consider recyclable and more sustainable options. Furthermore, we ensure responsible waste segregation and recycling, collaborating with licensed organisations for proper disposal, and encourage the reuse and repair of products to extend their lifecycle.

AP LIVE Joins isla and the TRACE App:

We’re excited to announce that AP LIVE is now a member of isla and integrated with the TRACE app, a significant step towards a more sustainable future. isla is a non-profit organisation created by event professionals with a mission to shape a more sustainable future for the events industry. The TRACE app simplifies carbon and waste reporting for event teams, helping them manage sustainability efforts efficiently. It provides clear, visual insights into the environmental impact of events, supporting sustainability officers in meeting reporting and disclosure requirements.

The TRACE app’s value lies in its ability to capture data across a broad range of event-related activities – from energy consumption to food and drink services, audience and guest travel, accommodation, graphics and build, transport logistics, and waste and recycling. By streamlining this process, the app helps event organisers better understand and reduce their carbon footprint, ultimately contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for the industry.

We’ve already implemented the TRACE app for several of our upcoming events, putting its sustainability features into practice. We manage the data collection for the TRACE app on behalf of our clients, empowering them to make informed, data-driven decisions and drive meaningful improvements. Furthermore, we’ve participated in training sessions with isla to enhance our knowledge. By staying proactive in learning and applying sustainability strategies, we’re continuously improving our environmental impact with every event we produce.

To learn more about isla, follow the link: https://weareisla.co.uk/about/

Looking Ahead: Building a Greener Future Together

At AP LIVE, we are deeply committed to reducing our environmental impact and promoting greener practices across every aspect of our business – from energy use to waste reduction and ethical sourcing. By leading with sustainability, we aim to inspire others in the events industry to follow suit, creating a future where exceptional events contribute to a more sustainable and ethical world.