They hold the ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for environment management systems, and have rolled out several different initiatives across the business to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. 

A district-based scheme installed on site at the ICC to provide electricity, chilled water for air-conditioning and hot water for heating. In addition to reducing our carbon footprint, the scheme also enables us to sell carbon credits – the ultimate sustainability win-win.

Energy-saving sensors are fitted throughout the venue and we use reduced energy LED lighting wherever possible. Our monitored switch-off procedure also ensures that energy use is kept to a minimum in event spaces and offices, and that all equipment and lights are switched off when not in use. 

We’ve always been supporters of the 'reduce, reuse and recycle' mantra in terms of waste management. We separate and recycle glass, cardboard and paper waste, and incinerate all other waste to create electricity for local homes and businesses through Birmingham City Council’s Waste to Energy scheme. The resulting ash from this process is also stored and used as aggregate for road building.

We may be based in the city centre, but we’re still avid wildlife lovers. It’s why in 2007 we turned one of the ICC’s roof areas into an eco-friendly environment to increase insulation, enhance the landscape and most importantly attract urban species. It wasn’t long before the roof became a safe haven for the rare black redstart bird, whose continuing presence in the city was at the time precarious. You’ll also find a couple of bee hotels at the ICC, specifically installed to encourage Mason Bees to hold their own conferences in the area.

We go to great lengths to ensure consideration and innovation is evident on every plate. It’s why we ensure all our suppliers operate to either BRC Grade A or SALSA accreditation and are continually audited by our Food Safety Team. As our location is a key part of who we are as a venue, our chefs naturally see it as their responsibility to support local suppliers whenever possible too. In addition to the accreditations listed above, we also look out for the following quality stamps on every product we use in our dishes.

We work closely with event organisers to achieve ‘carbon neutral’ status for their events. This is achieved by paying particular attention to the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ mantra and helping organisers put this into practice. 

• We are working with the venue and all of our suppliers to reduce the environmental impact and increase the positive social and economic contribution of this event. Here are some of the things we are doing: 
• Our chosen venue, ICC Birmingham, is easy to reach by public transport. 
• Our procurement process requires our suppliers to demonstrate the steps they are taking to make their own operations sustainable.
• Conference delegate badges made of paper (FSC certified) and no plastic badge wallets are used. Our lanyards are made from recycled plastic water bottles. 
• We are working with sponsors and exhibitors to minimise materials they dispose of whilst at the conference. We ensure that any paper used at the event are made from recycled materials and it is recycled or reused at the end of the event. 
• We have reduced the amount of printed materials which we provide to attendees by switching to digital. 

• The venue is located in the city centre, all hotels and social venues are located by walking distance from each other – walk and explore the city, use public transportation or the city bikes instead of taking taxis. 
• If you can’t avoid flying, please note that there are excellent bus shuttles running from the airport to the city centre. 
• Calculate your carbon footprint using the WWF environmental footprint calculator. Whether you’re able to attend or not, it’s a great tool for tracking your impact on the planet, and learning about what changes you can make to limit it. 
• Please make sure to deposit your lanyard and badge in the reuse boxes provided at conference registration.
• Please follow the waste separation instructions at the venue. 
• There will be water fountains at key points, please bring a reusable water bottle with you. 
• Be thoughtful about all conference-related printing that you do, and aim to reduce this where possible.
• Pens and paper will not be provided to delegates to encourage the re-use of both paper and pens.