Sustainability - Conferences and Events

Sustainability

How the Conferences and Events Team are working with the University of Kent on sustainability.

Conferencing and Events Sustainability Statement

As part of the University of Kent, we are focused on addressing the climate and ecological emergency and minimising the impact our business may have on the environment.

The University is committed to sustainability and operates an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001. We have established robust policies and procedures to minimise waste, carbon emissions, and transport-related impacts, ensuring sustainability is embedded in our procurement process.  

The main objectives and commitments can be found below.

Key links and information

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    Energy, Carbon and Water Management

    By proactively working with the University to monitor consumption, reduce waste, improve energy and water efficiency and optimise use of IT and AV equipment we will reduce carbon emissions in line with the University’s targets.

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    Education

    Through a mix of certified and in-house training, ensure our staff are equipped with knowledge and skills to consider sustainability throughout the Conferences and Events department.

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    Engagement

    Enable and encourage our customers who wish to reduce their impact and deliver sustainable conferences and ensure that sustainability messaging is effectively communicated to conference and event guests.

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    Sustainable Buildings

    To work with the University to ensure that our buildings and spaces are operated efficiently, identifying opportunities for improvement.

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    Waste and Circular Economy

    Ensure delegates and guests have access to facilities and information to segregate waste and work internally to minimise water from our catering operations and from the running of conferencing and events.

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    Sustainable Procurement

    Incorporate sustainability into procurement, considering carbon emissions, impact on biodiversity, transport and ethical supply chains.

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    Landscape and Biodiversity

    Encourage and provide resources for delegates and guests to explore the campus green spaces enhancing health and wellbeing.

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    Sustainable Travel

    Reduce the impacts of transport and travel and encourage sustainable alternatives for travel activities including commuting, fleet management, business travel and deliveries.
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    Sustainable Food

    Deliver on our catering department’s sustainable food plan, to ensure sustainability in the processes by which our food and drink is sourced, procured, served, and disposed of.

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    Conferences and Events

    Kent Conferencing and Events is on a journey to become more sustainable and to help others on their journey. We have already achieved a great deal and we plan to implement even more initiatives over the next 12 months to help meet our aims.

What we are currently doing

Events

  • We have launched our Green Delegate Packages offering sustainable options such as a plant-based lunch and a Kentish banqueting menu. We are also partnering with clients to meet their sustainability goals.

Certification

  • The University of Kent operates an Environmental Management System certified to the ISO 14001 standard.

Buildings

  • Our Sibson building is rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’.
  • Heating is provided by our district heating system which is more efficient than using separate heating systems for every building.
  • All lighting in our Darwin Conference Centre, and Kent Indoor Tennis and Events Arena (KITEA) are energy efficient LED.

Food

  • We follow an ambitious Sustainable Food Action Plan which sets out our plans to ensure that food served supports health, well-being and environmental sustainability.
  • We offer a variety of menus including fully plant-based and a local Kentish menu.
  • All wild caught fish are Marine Stewardship Council Certified meaning we know that it was fished responsibly and where it came from.
  • Free drinking water is widely available and encouraged.
  • Produce grown in our on-campus community garden is used by our catering teams for internal and event catering.
  • Food waste from our central kitchens in Darwin College is composted on site for use in the on-campus community garden.

Travel

  • We encourage guests to travel sustainably to our venues and provide comprehensive information on the travel options available to guests.
  • Our Canterbury campus is well connected to the city and beyond via regular public transport links.
  • The city centre can be easily reached on foot via an easy 25 minute stroll with spectacular views of Canterbury Cathedral.
  • Southeastern operates train services across the county and its high speed service will get you from London St Pancras International to Canterbury West in just 54 minutes.     

Nature

  • The University has been awarded Wilder Kent Gold Award for taking positive action to restore green spaces and help people to reconnect with nature.
  • Our toiletries are vegan, paraben free, not tested on animals, made from post-consumer recycled plastic and are made in the UK.
  • Our campus wellbeing map highlights spaces to connect with nature so guests can take some time to explore our beautiful campus and enjoy the quiet of our ancient woodlands, take in grasslands with far-reaching views across Canterbury and discover ponds and wildflower planting areas.

https://www.kent.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusivity/wellbeing-map/map

Waste

  • We have zero waste to landfill with a university policy to reduce, reuse and recycle. Non-recyclable waste can be used to create electricity at a local energy from waste facility.
  • Food waste from our central kitchens in Darwin College is composted on site for use in the on-campus community garden.
  • Offer digital event pack and online maps.

Sustainability related blogs


Get in touch

Contact our team today and work with them to make your event as sustainable as possible.

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