Event Marketing Solutions (EMS) has become one of the first live marketing companies in the UK to achieve the rigorous ISO 14001 environmental management standard.

The internationally recognised, independent accreditation means that EMS, which specialise in roadshows, has committed to measuring and improving its environmental performance year-on-year.

In order to achieve the standard, a comprehensive audit was undertaken to measure every aspect of the company’s environmental impact – from staff travel to energy use and waste.

Key objectives for 2008 include: a commitment to reduce staff mileage, to become more energy efficient, to increase recycling and to investigate green energy supplies for the future.

The company has also pledged to run a wholly carbon-neutral business in 2008 – offsetting not only its own carbon emissions, but also those of its client roadshows.

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing business today,” said EMS managing director Keith Austin. “Achieving the ISO 14001 standard demonstrates that we are seriously committed to minimising our carbon footprint and puts us in the vanguard of the UK marketing industry. I believe we will see increasing demand from clients for this level of commitment.”

Sarah Wilkes, who led the ISO accreditation process at EMS, commented: “Achieving the accreditation is just the first stage; the real work will be in making sure we reduce our environmental impact in the year ahead. We have put in place staff training to ensure that everyone in the firm is committed to playing their part.”