The Live Group, a leading provider of integrated event communication solutions for government, industry and commerce, has successfully achieved ISO 14001 environmental protection accreditation from the British Standards Institute.

This follows a process of working to its 'Sustainability Charter' internally and encouraging clients to design, manage and fulfil environmentally responsible events.

The Live Group organises more than 500 conferences, launches, special events, roadshows and awards ceremonies a year and is the Government's busiest supplier of these services, having been appointed to more than 20 framework contracts. Clients have recently included The Department of Health, Police Federation and Ernst & Young.

By promoting a more conscientious approach to reducing environmental impact at all stages of event planning and production, it hopes to steer and educate clients towards setting more sustainable briefs at the planning outset. Key points forming the basis of the Live Group sustainability charter include:

• Carbon footprint awareness – Do you need one central conference where people need to travel miles or can you facilitate multiple regional events? What are the possibilities of running events simultaneously? Can technology engage remote audiences? Asking these questions at the planning stages and encouraging delegates to use public transport rather than individuals in cars, can assist in driving down the carbon footprint of an event.

• Eliminate wasteful resources – Multimedia delegate packs and digital tablet engagement systems can eliminate the use of paper based handouts and flipcharts during events. One overall delegate CD or folder can also remove the need for plastic carrier bags. Automated delegate systems can also help reduce time and resource wastage from registration outset.

• Reduce energy consumption – Group working can be enhanced with audience engagement systems and these tools can also allow a number of sessions to run in the same room. This eliminates the energy and heat required for breakout rooms.

• Think local for resources – Consider the food miles attached to the catering aspects of all events. Using local suppliers can minimise the travel associated with raw ingredients and using tap water instead of bottles, can also reduce the waste packaging produced.  Recruiting local staff to resource the event also works towards reducing more the carbon footprint.

"Technology is a key enabler to assist with working towards more sustainable events,” said Live Group managing director Lewis. "Automated delegate management systems can reduce paper waste and streamline processes which in turn frees up resources. Furthermore, video conferencing can bring people together without the need to travel. When this is combined with digital engagement tablets it delivers delegate interaction on a new scale that eliminates break out rooms even enabling remote audiences. Technology also offers many other future opportunities to assist with evolving the events industry."