As sustainability starts to become a cornerstone of modern events, the demand for eco-friendly venues is on the rise. The UK, with its rich history and innovative spirit, is home to a myriad of venues leading the charge in green initiatives. From repurposed historical sites to cutting-edge facilities designed with the environment in mind, these venues are setting new standards for sustainability in the event industry.
Church House
Church House’s goals are not only to be sustainable through their practices but also to rehabilitate any damage that has been done to the environment. They want “to go beyond the status quo and see techniques and approaches that position us ahead of other actors in our sector.” At Church House, you will find recyclable glass bottles, energy-efficient and sustainable products and devices, use of green electricity (solar panels etc.) and sustainable seasonal produce. The venue can accommodate big meetings, with 13 different spaces to choose from the venue can hold up to 664 people.
Great Smith St
London
SW1P 3AZ
020 7390 1590
15 Hatfields, Southbank (London)
This venue is one of the most sustainable in the UK. At 15 Hatfields, the team ensures that everything is as eco-conscious as possible. They use fair trade ingredients for their food that is provided by caterers with sustainability in mind (Eden Caterers for anyone interested). They use tech instead of paper and make sure any equipment that is needed for your event is provided to keep transportation emissions low. They hold certificates such as the Green Tourism Gold Award and the NQA Sustainable Development Management Scheme. The venue is located in Southbank London and can hold up to 550 people.
15 Hatfields
Chadwick Court
London
SE1 8DJ
020 7827 5920
The Crystal, Newham (London)
Created by Siemens, the main choice for sustainable events in London, The Crystal is also home to the biggest exhibition on sustainability. The venue has earned the achievements ‘Outstanding’ from BREEAM and ‘Platinum’ from LEED. The building has 70% less emissions than similar buildings in the area. The venue hosts 14 meeting spaces that can hold up to 500 people and also includes a 270-seat auditorium. The venue is located in Newham, London and can be reached via the DLR (Docklands Light Railway).
Royal Victoria Dock
Kamal Chunchie Way
London
E16 1ZE
020 7055 6400
Lord’s Cricket Ground, Westminster (London)
Lord’s is a spacious venue with fantastic views and elegant décor, making it a sophisticated venue option for events. They are committed to using 100% renewable energy from wind turbines, donating unused food locally, and using any wasted food to generate energy. They have also banned single-use plastics, opting for paper straws and introducing their reusable cup scheme. The venue also has water fountains dotted around to drink from. Lord’s is setting a great example and taking the right steps to a better future of sustainability!
St John’s Wood Rd
London
NW8 8QN
020 7616 8500
BMA House, Camden (London)
The home of the British Medical Association. BMA House won “The Greenest Venue” at the Hirespace Awards in 2018 for their innovations in social and environmental impact. They launched two internal sustainability initiatives – ‘corporate sustainability and health group’ and ‘take the stairs campaign’ for their staff. These were created to encourage their 500 employees to reduce their carbon footprints. The venue also encourages going paperless whenever possible, utilising videoconferencing where appropriate and only recommends sustainable suppliers to people hiring the space. So far, they have reduced their carbon footprint by 69%, cut their water waste by 5.4 million litres a year and have recycled up to 46,700kg of waste since 2019.
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9JP
020 7874 7020
Wellcome Collection, Camden (London)
Wellcome Collection was a finalist for the best sustainability initiative at the 2019 London Venue Awards. They have reduced their Co2 emissions by 7.7 tonnes after implementing a food wastage system, supplying reusable glass bottles during events, and converting any waste into energy. The venue also avoids sending anything to landfill. If you want something a bit less formal This quirky venue would be a great choice for sustainability with flexible spaces capable of hosting anywhere from 12 people up to 390 people.
183 Euston Road
London
NW1 2BE
020 7611 2200
The Barbican Centre, Tower Hamlets (London)
From foyer spaces, cinemas, auditoriums and boardrooms to the more unique conservatory, terrace, and garden room — The Barbican has a wealth of options for hosting events. In terms of sustainability, they have a downloadable strategy available which details their efforts to reduce their emissions and waste, move to a circular economic framework, reuse resources whenever possible, pledge to protect the local environment, and encourage biodiversity.
Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
020 7382 7043
Space at the Spine, Liverpool
‘Spaces at the Spine’ in Liverpool features 14 modern, light-filled event spaces boasting best-in-class event technology, building connectivity and biophilic elements aimed at improving the wellbeing of its occupants. The venue is housed within the Royal College of Physicians’ northern home, The Spine, in the heart of Paddington Village, Knowledge Quarter. The Spine is one of the healthiest buildings in the UK, having been awarded the highest sustainability rating attainable in the UK, BREEAM Outstanding, and currently under assessment by the International WELL Building Institute to become WELL Certified at the Core Platinum level. The venue and event spaces have been designed with sustainability in mind.
Royal College of Physicians
The Spine, 2 Paddington Village
Liverpool, L7 3FA
0151 318 2200