Earls Court and Olympia (EC&O Venues) has become the first exhibition venues to be certified to ISO 20121, the new international standard for event sustainability.

"We are proud to maintain our position at the forefront of event sustainability," says Sustainability Advisor at EC&O Venues, Emma Wellman (picture). "ISO 20121 will provide an essential template for the events industry to ensure it maximises its positive social, ethical and environmental impact."

EC&O is aiming to develop the support given to event organisers on sustainability by fully embedding the Carbon Voyage Transport (CVT) system and developing a distribution hub. The CVT is a new online platform that provides a journey-matching service to address the impact of transporting exhibitors, visitors and freight and also saves money for users.

EC&O is planning to increase the usage of its on-line sustainability system and use it to report on events at the venue, as well as monitoring its energy, water and waste figures and will work with service partners to improve sustainability awareness and information on supporting services.

The new standard was launched on 15 June and the certification was presented to Wellman at the UK launch of ISO 20121 at Canary Wharf along with other early adopters to the standard including London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and Portland and Weymouth Sailing Academy who also received their certifications.

Do you have a news story for EN? Email: exhibitionnews@mashmedia.net