There are a variety of unique venues across London in which you can host an event that gives back to the community. These locations not only serve as out-of-the-ordinary settings for conferences, gala dinners and parties, but they are also actively committed to corporate social responsibility and protecting the environment.
When you hire a space in one of these venues, you encourage their ongoing work, such as offering free entry to visitors and participating in sustainability-led activities. Here are five interesting venues dedicated to making a difference:
BAFTA 195 Piccadilly’s industry leading position on sustainability recognises the need for economic, social and environmental security within the film, television and games sectors, whilst acknowledging the demands in meeting creative excellence. By hosting an event at BAFTA, you help the venue to support the UK production and broadcast industry’s transition to environmental sustainability, working in collaboration to accelerate the adoption of best practice.
BAFTA 195 Piccadilly achieves this by educating and providing industry colleagues with the expertise and opportunities necessary to reduce the environmental impact of the production process and create diverse opportunities for audiences to engage with the climate agenda.
Hosted by BAFTA, the Albert (BAFTA’s carbon calculator) initiative is funded by a core group of broadcasters and production companies who make Albert’s tools and resources free for the rest of the industry. This includes access to the free carbon calculator for productions, sustainable certification system for productions, free weekly training for programme makers and a renewable electricity group procurement programme.
As part of the world’s leading group of science museums, the Science Museum in Kensington attracts over 3m visitors annually to view its unparalleled collection spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
All profits generated from events are put back into the work of the museum to keep access free for visitors and to contribute to the Science Museum’s overarching goal of inspiring future generations.
With 12 galleries, an IMAX Theatre, a two-level space (‘Illuminate’) and the newly opened Smith Centre, the museum provides a truly unique backdrop for events and tailored approach to creating everything from spectacular production to innovative catering and striking theming.
Somerset House, London’s working arts centre, is underpinned by a commitment to financial and environmental sustainability. From producing 49% of their own electricity needs on site (to reduce their CO2 emissions), to utilising hidden and overlooked locations on site to grow food, Somerset House is reducing energy consumption round the clock.
Every year, World Earth Day is a key focal point for Somerset House’s environmental programming. By including features such as large-scale installations in the courtyard, they aim to engage visitors with the subject in visually inspiring ways. This year, the installation of REDUCE SPEED NOW! brought together the words of activists, poets and philosophers on the front line of the global ecological crisis.
Somerset House is an independent, self-sufficient charity, and when booking an event at this venue, you are supporting its creativity.
Sustainability is a key part of the Royal College of Physicians’ (RCP) everyday operations across all areas of the business including catering, waste management and energy.
Examples of some of the ways RCP approaches sustainability in their everyday operations include implementing a robust waste management programme throughout the venue to significantly reduce plastic waste and increase recycling; working with energy efficient technology, such as multi-functional devices, which has drastically reduced paper consumption; switching their electricity provision entirely to 100% renewable energy and uses; and sourcing environmentally responsible suppliers and service partners.
RCP’s caterer CH&CO, for example, is deeply committed to operating in a socially responsible and sustainable way, and was recently awarded three stars (the highest accolade) by the Sustainable Restaurant Association for its commitment to sustainability.
Twickenham Stadium has focused heavily on tackling the environment to become a more sustainable venue. Annually over 23 tonnes of glass waste is recycled, all cooking oil is recycled and the eco cup has helped to save an average of 2.28M single use plastic cups from landfill each year. 21 tonnes of food waste is sent to compost which goes into an anaerobic digestion unit which then produces both electricity and fertiliser. Food is locally sourced as much as possible including fresh bread which is baked less than 12 miles away, 95% of food is prepared and cooked onsite and around 70% of fruit and veg is sourced from the UK throughout the year.