Sustainability at First Event
Can hosting unforgettable corporate events be sustainable?
At First Event, we believe it can. We bring people together without compromising the planet. By making smarter, conscious choices, we create events that are better for people, kinder to the environment, and designed for the long term.
Through our team, our clients, our supplier network, and our wider community, we influence a more sustainable future for the events industry. We don’t just talk about it, we take measurable action. For example, we’ve reduced the carbon footprint of an annual event by more than a third. This isn’t a box-ticking exercise; it’s who we are, and we’re always looking for ways to do even better.
We’ve always done things differently, and that includes how we approach sustainable event management. We want to become a leading voice for sustainability in the events industry by pushing for meaningful, long-term change. Sustainability isn’t a trend for us, it’s a responsibility.
Our internal sustainability commitments
At First Event, sustainability isn’t just about the planet, it’s about people too. Building a responsible, future-focused business starts from within. That means we prioritise:
- Team-wide sustainability training to create shared responsibility
- Staff wellbeing, inclusion, and development so everyone can thrive
- Employee ownership, we’re invested in each other’s success
- Fair and ethical contracts across our supply chain
- Financially responsible, sustainable planning and delivery
- Alignment with chosen UN Sustainable Development Goals to guide our long-term impact
For us, doing the right thing internally reflects everything we bring to our clients, partners, and the wider community.
We collaborate with suppliers who share our sustainability values. Where possible, we support suppliers in improving their own environmental credentials, and learn from those who are leading the way. We’re currently reviewing and strengthening our procurement process to further align with our sustainable event goals, so we can make an even bigger impact together.
Explore our Sustainability Strategy
Discover the initiatives driving our environmental impact, outlined in more detail in our official 2025-2028 Sustainability Strategy.
Our Sustainable Event Priorities
We track and measure our own carbon emissions internally and are in the process of developing an internal carbon reduction plan, as creating greener events starts with how we work behind the scenes. Our team follows key sustainability principles to make every event more responsible and efficient. We prioritise:
-
Reusing materials and minimising waste
-
Promoting recycling across all sites
-
Choosing recycled or recyclable materials
-
Reducing energy and water consumption
-
Limiting pollution, emissions, and noise
-
Sourcing locally to cut down on carbon footprint
Our Sustainable Event Work
We’ve partnered with leading brands worldwide to deliver strategically crafted events that drive results. Explore our event case studies below to see how our sustainability approach have transformed brand experiences.
How we plan sustainable events
We don’t just talk about sustainability, we take action. We make sustainability part of every key decision, including:
Each time we work with a client, we have the chance to challenge traditional approaches and champion sustainable event planning. From the first briefing through to delivery, we can integrate sustainable practices at every step.
-
Event production and build
-
Venue choice and transport emissions
-
Materials, giveaways and signage
-
Balancing digital vs physical elements
-
Ethical food and drink sourcing
-
Reduce environmental impact while enhancing the experience for attendees
-
Providing event carbon footprint data to clients, in collaboration with event:decision
Sustainability FAQs
First Event is committed to leading the way in sustainable event management. Our mission is to show that events can be innovative, impactful, and responsible all at once. We aim to set the standard for event sustainability by embedding environmentally conscious practices, social responsibility, and operational efficiency into every project. Through continuous improvement, and a culture that champions sustainability, we help clients deliver events that reduce environmental impact, enhance social value, and leave a lasting impression, proving that sustainability and extraordinary experiences go hand in hand.
A sustainable event delivers memorable experiences while minimising environmental and social impact. It considers the entire event lifecycle, from planning and production to delivery and disposal, and seeks to reduce waste, energy use, and carbon emissions without compromising quality. We set clear sustainability targets for each event during the planning stage, and at the end, we measure performance against those goals. This ensures every decision is intentional, progress is tracked, and the impact of the event is measurable. Sustainability also covers social responsibility: accessibility, wellbeing, ethical sourcing, and supplier accountability are all part of the picture. At First Event, our approach follows recognised frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), proving that it’s possible to create sustainability events that are both responsible and inspiring.
Making an event sustainable is about smart choices that reduce carbon, waste, and resource use, without compromising experience. Start with environmentally conscious venue selection, prioritising spaces with energy-efficient operations and good public transport links. Where appropriate, encourage rail-first or shared travel, go paperless with apps and digital signage, and replace single-use plastics with reusables. Catering is another big opportunity: opt for seasonal, locally sourced, and plant-forward menus, and plan for food waste redistribution or composting. On-site, make recycling easy and visible, and measure key metrics like waste diversion and CO₂e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, the metric for emissions) saved. At First Event, we integrate these steps into structured plans that align with UK standards such as the Waste Duty of Care and the Equality Act.
Designing events that everyone can enjoy isn’t just thoughtful, it’s essential. From step-free venues and clear signage to sensory-friendly zones and quiet spaces for neurodivergent guests, accessibility ensures full participation for all. Simple, inclusive communication such as captions, advance agendas, and easy navigation, makes every attendee feel valued. By prioritising inclusion from the start, we create events that are engaging, memorable, and truly for everyone.
Get in touch
Looking to host a sustainable event that delivers real impact, for your audience and the planet? Let’s make it happen. Contact us to find out how we can help.