Part of the ECOsmart Sustainability Educational
Two of the team had a rewarding day when attending Greengage’s recent ECOsmart Sustainability Educational event. It featured leading UK agencies and innovative sustainable practices from award-winning ECOsmart-certified properties.
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Jo Lake, Operations Manager – Special Projects and Events, was joined by our Sustainability Delivery Executive Sophia-Bella Pinnock.
And as part of the event, they visited the event venue Co-op Live and as well as Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium to learn about their sustainability initiatives.
Greengage said after the event:
“We brought together 20 sustainability-focused event planners at two of Manchester's most innovative venues. What an incredible day of learning and inspiration! We had showcases of the two amazing venues that have some inspirational sustainability initiatives. We also had a great discussion over a delicious working lunch in Etihad Stadium's Mancunian suite, sharing sustainable best practices. We also had a fantastic presentation from Marketing Manchester, who shared their Sustainable Tourism Action Plan in correlation with the UNSDGs and their game-changing sustainable events checklist! These organisations represent the art of the possible in truly sustainable events.”
Delegates were blown away at Co-op Live's initiatives which include a 3,300sqm solar roof powering 100% renewable energy, 600,000 litres of rainwater to flush toilets and water plants and 12,359 free tickets given to local communities.
And sustainability is well and truly embedded across the Etihad Campus with a 16% reduction in CO2 emissions, 1.5m kWh energy saved and 50 tonnes less waste plus completely eliminating PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate, is used to package 70% of carbonated soft drinks).
These were just some of the stand-out stats from the Co-op Live venue:
Co-op Live is committed to being Europe's most sustainable arena, a vision reflected in its ECOsmart Gold award from Greengage, with ambitions for Platinum. The venue's design prioritises sustainability, evident in its exclusive use of 100% electricity for power, 100% LED lighting with sensors, and sensor-equipped water taps.
Even their pool cars are electric. Recognising fan travel as a significant source of Scope 3 carbon emissions, Co-op Live actively promotes sustainable transport. They've invested in encouraging tram use and developed "CityLink," a walking route from the city to the arena. To make this route appealing, staff guide fans, and the path features engaging elements like graffiti, neon lights, music, and artistic installations such as the "Hive Installation" and "Love Letter to Manchester." For safety, the "CityLink" route is continuously monitored by CCTV, with stewards present on event days.
And some of the key takeaways from the Etihad Stadium:
Manchester City Football Club is deeply committed to sustainability, evident in its comprehensive "Game Plan" initiative. This commitment extends to the new stand and the accompanying 400-bed Radisson hotel, with a strong focus on local procurement, including steel from Bury, to boost the regional economy.
The club also champions local employment, with 70% of its staff hailing from the area. Embracing biodiversity, the club hosts 300,000 bees in dedicated bee hotels and has transformed former industrial land into thriving natural habitats. This includes planting over 3,500 mature trees suited to Manchester's climate and creating a 5,000-square-meter wildflower meadow to enhance local green infrastructure and biodiversity.
Furthermore, they've established three kilometers of hedges, extensive grasslands, and wetland swales, all maintained using sustainable, peat-free compost. A HYVERT living wall on the new Media TV Studio further contributes to noise abatement, carbon reduction, and improved energy performance.
Beyond environmental efforts, Manchester City plays a significant role in the community through its "City in the Community – Streets to Stadium" program, inspiring local youth to engage with the sport and aspire to play at the highest level.
Marketing Manchester also played its part at the event.
They are actively advancing the city's sustainability in tourism and events, evidenced by its 2024 application to the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, where Manchester secured fourth place in the UK and second in England, with an ultimate goal of achieving the top spot in England.
To support this ambition, Marketing Manchester has developed a comprehensive sustainable events guide and a dedicated tourism action plan. Significant effort is also being directed towards assisting local businesses in achieving sustainability accreditation and providing valuable training through the Green Hospitality Network.
Sophia-Bella Pinnock, our Sustainability Delivery Executive, said:
“Jo Lake and I spent a great day with Greengage visiting the Etihad Stadium and Co-op Live venue for a masterclass tour in sustainable events. Led by Sean, Paul, Tony, Jennifer, Sue and Rebecca, we learned how venues such as these are working hard to ensure sustainability is at the core of all the work they do. From ensuring all food is fresh to order to collecting rainwater to help flush their toilets, the team have worked hard to ensure that anything they can change, they do.”