Vision for Sustainable Events is running a second national program supporting local authorities to introduce the environmental assessment of events using the Green Events Code of Practice (GECoP). 

The GECoP is a nationally consistent assessment framework supported by The Local Authority Event Organiser (LAEOG), Arts Council England, and the Event Industry Forum (EIF), publisher of the Purple Guide.

A maximum of 30 local authorities can sign up to join the 12 month program in 2025. Participants will be part of a groundbreaking national roll-out of the Green Events Code of Practice, and receive specialist support and resources to update policy and integrate environmental reporting into practices and processes.

Participating local authorities will benefit from:

• Community of practice based learning program including:
  • Facilitated online peer sessions x 3
  • Q&A with pioneering local authorities from cohort 1 national program (2024)
  • Forum for exchanging challenges and solutions 
• Exclusive access to new resources designed for local authorities to implement Green Events Code of Practice / assessment of events
• Use of assessment tool
  • 12 months licence to use Donut Advisory Tool for Events (DATE) assessment tool 
  • 1 x DATE training workshop
  • Support to integrate DATE

A contribution of £1,500 per local authority is requested to part fund the program (about 50% of the costs), and we may make exceptions to ensure diverse participation. We are particularly interested in working with local authorities from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. 

To express interest, fill out the SURVEY FORM

Photo: Liverpool City, Liverpool County council were one of the participating events in the GECoP pilot 2024

About the GECoP National Pilot Program in 2024

The landmark pilot pilot project in 2024 saw ten local authorities across England – including Bristol, Reading, Liverpool, and Manchester – test the effectiveness of GECoP in improving the environmental sustainability of 60 events attended by 2.3m people, with amazing results – achieving a 60% increase sustainability measures across 60 music, sports and community events. Download the full report on the pilot project here https://bit.ly/GECoP_Pilot_Report

The project assessed how effectively local authorities could integrate an environmental assessment and found overwhelming support for the development of consistent, national minimum environmental standards. All ten participating local authorities and 96% of participating event organisers expressed support for nationwide criteria, which they believe would help them meet their environmental goals more effectively.

In addition to improving environmental policies, local authorities found that the pilot fostered better relationships with event organisers and other stakeholders. 80% of events reported increased conversations with stakeholders on environmental impacts, with many noting the benefits of building stronger networks to overcome sustainability challenges.

The project involved using the Donut Advisory Toolkit for Events (DATE) to assess how effectively local authorities could integrate an environmental assessment into processes, the resulting changes in environmental practices, and the benefits.

Key findings from the pilot project include:

• 60% of event organisers implemented new environmental measures as a direct result of the pilot;
• 92% expressed a commitment to adopt even more sustainable practices in the coming year;
• 7 out of 10 participating local authorities made changes to policy or procedures for more robust environmental requirements.

The pilot demonstrated that events of all sizes gained a better understanding of their environmental practices. A remarkable 83% of participating events reported improved environmental awareness, while 80% gained increased confidence in taking environmental action.

GECoP Pilot Project Lead, Richard Phillips, Music and Climate Specialist at Julie’s Bicycle comments: “This groundbreaking project has gone a huge way to creating a blueprint for legislation around environmental sustainability in the outdoor events sector. The results of the pilot indicate that this can create real positive change on the ground, as well as encouraging wider conversations on environmental sustainability at local government level.”

Local authorities found that the pilot not only helped improve their environmental policies but also fostered better relationships with event organisers and other stakeholders. 80% of events reported increased conversations with stakeholders, with many noting the benefits of building stronger networks to overcome sustainability challenges.

The pilot found overwhelming support for the development of consistent, national minimum environmental standards. All ten participating local authorities and 96% of participating event organisers expressed support for nationwide criteria, which they believe would help them meet their environmental goals more effectively.

With 84% of UK jurisdictions having declared a Climate Emergency, the project underscores the growing urgency for action across all sectors, with outdoor events emerging as a key area of focus. 

Dr. Mathew Flynn, Director of the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Liverpool, commented on the pilot’s significance: “Initial findings from the GECoP pilot demonstrate the transformative potential of local authorities utilising the DATE model to cost-effectively and efficiently improve the accessibility and environmental sustainability of all types of cultural events. Integrated across the UK’s events, this collective action would quickly compound to ensure a greener, more inclusive future for the sector.”

Helen Thackeray, from the Local Authority Events Advisory Group, highlighted the essential role that events play in driving positive change: “Events have a major part to play in looking after the planet for all our future audiences. GECoP offers vital support to our members to drive forward meaningful change in the sector.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, added: “We welcome GECoP as a standardised, national framework for widescale sector change. Bristol’s larger events are already surpassing these minimum standards, but GECoP offers flexibility for smaller events to improve sustainability while supporting our city’s ambition to exceed national targets.”

Vision for Sustainable Events Chair, Chris Johnson put the project in context: The minimum standard is designed to provide some national clarity on ‘what good looks like’  and support the significant part of the live events sector that is made up of smaller cultural organisations, many taking their  first steps. It is designed to work alongside other more advanced initiatives and standards which provide frameworks for larger events.

The project was a collaborative effort between Vision for Sustainable Events, Julie’s Bicycle, and Andrew Lansley, and was funded by Arts Council England, EarthPercent, and participating local authorities including Bristol City Council, Colchester City Council, Gloucester City Council, Leicester City Council, Liverpool City Council, Maldon District Council, Manchester City Council, Norwich City Council, Reading Borough Council and West Northamptonshire Council.

Events were assessed using the Donut Advisory Toolkit for Events (DATE Toolkit) and based on the environmental standards outlined in the Green Events Code of Practice these included all the key impact areas for outdoor events: Governance, Energy, Travel and Transportation, Food & Drink, Materials and waste, Water and Positive Influence.