Vision for Sustainable Events and Julie’s Bicycle are running a second national program supporting local authorities to introduce environmental assessment of events using the groundbreaking 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. The program was trialled in 2024 with 10 local authorities, including Bristol, Reading, Liverpool, and Manchester implementing GECoP environmental standards at over 60 events, with over 2.3 million visitors, varying from small community events to large festivals like Parklife and Reading.
In addition to improving environmental policies, 83% of participating events reported improved environmental awareness, while 80% gained increased confidence in taking environmental action and reported increased conversations with stakeholders on environmental impacts. Download the full report on the pilot project at https://bit.ly/GECoP_Pilot_Report
Helen Thackeray, Chair of LAEOG, commented: “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.”
A maximum of 30 local authorities can join the next 12-month program. Participants will be part of a national roll-out of GECoP, and will receive specialist support and resources to update their sustainability policy for events and integrate environmental reporting into practices and processes.
Enrolled local authorities will benefit from a practice-based learning community with facilitated online peer sessions and support from the pioneering pilot program participants. They will also be granted exclusive access to new resources designed for local authorities to implement the Green Events Code of Practice and training to use the Donut Advisory Tool for Events (DATE) assessment tool, with a 12-month free licence included.
GECoP Pilot Project Lead, Richard Phillips, Music and Climate Specialist at Julie’s Bicycle commented: “The GECoP pilot showed how a standardised benchmark of environmental practices at events can foster both environmental action and wider benefits for events and local authorities alike. We are looking for more local authorities to join this work and support a unified approach to environmental assessment of events to encourage action at scale, creating positive transformational change.”
To express interest, fill out the survey form here by 9th May 2025: https://form.jotform.com/230733032478049
