Sustainability may be one of the hottest words in the events industry, but most venues still sell it as a mood, not a measurable impact. Corporate clients, however, are no longer buying the green gloss.
They’re demanding proof – data, transparency, and operational practices that actually move the needle on their ESG targets. And right now, too many event planners are missing the reasoning behind the features that matter most.
To cut through the noise, we turned to Joe Harris, Deputy General Manager at 15Hatfields, one of the London’s leading sustainable venues, to uncover the six sustainability features that consistently impress corporate clients but are still being overlooked by planners.
Carbon calculator and detailed emissions reporting
Measurement is the foundation of meaningful sustainability. For corporate clients, being able to track their event emissions in a transparent, data-driven way is critical, especially when they have ESG targets or need to report their Scope 3 emissions. A venue that only “says” it’s green isn’t enough; clients want independent validation and hard metrics so they can benchmark, improve, and legitimately claim reductions.
Earlier this year here at 15Hatfields, we partnered with Greengage Solutions to develop a sophisticated event carbon-calculator tool. After every large event, we then provide a complimentary post-event report that breaks down emissions (in kg CO₂e) across five key areas: energy, food, beverage, food waste, and water. This element of reporting is one of the most overlooked and it’s usually due to a lack of knowledge on the subject, but we’re happy to inform and show planners why it’s important to the businesses they are booking events for.
No waste to landfill
Zero waste to landfill demonstrates true circular thinking, not just recycling but designing out waste and ensuring nothing ends up in landfill. For corporates, this matters because waste contributes to carbon emissions, reputational risk, and ESG reporting burdens. A venue that truly diverts all its waste signals a commitment to resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.
It is usually just presumed by event planners that venues practice what they preach, but to us it’s been part of our DNA to deliver on our promise, this element is a key factor that needs to be scrutinised when it comes to what venues are claiming.
Circular economy furniture and materials
Often, the environmental impact of an event comes not just from what happens during the event, but from the materials used – furniture, fittings, decor. Circular economy thinking (designing for reuse, take-back, recycling) reduces embodied carbon and waste, and demonstrates long-term environmental responsibility. For corporates, this matters because the footprint of an event extends beyond operations: it’s about whole-lifecycle impact.
Most event RFPs focus on catering, AV, accessibility, capacity, and location. Sustainable procurement practices, like sustainable furnishings, rarely appear in standard sourcing questions. Because it’s not prompted, planners often don’t think to ask and therefore can’t report on this.
Partnerships with eco-friendly suppliers
A venue’s sustainability credentials don’t stop at its own operations. The broader supply chain, elements such as catering, furniture, AV and décor, can make or break its real ESG impact. Corporate clients increasingly audit their suppliers, so a venue with sustainable partners helps them confidently choose venues that align with their values.
Planners typically focus their questions on the venue itself. Many don’t look beyond the venue walls to understand who is supplying the food, AV equipment, cleaning products, décor, or materials. Because supplier relationships aren’t always visible, planners often assume they’re standard, not strategic from a sustainability point of view.
Sustainable water use and innovation
Water is often overlooked in sustainability conversations, but it’s a critical resource. Reducing water consumption and eliminating single-use water bottles helps cut carbon (from heating, bottling, transport) and reduces plastic waste. For corporate clients, water risk (scarcity, cost, carbon emissions) is increasingly material in ESG planning.
Event planners often overlook sustainable water use because water consumption at events is mostly hidden within venue operations, such as kitchens, restrooms, and cleaning systems, making it feel outside the planner’s direct control, while common sustainability frameworks and client expectations focus more on visible issues like waste and carbon.
Renewable energy and on-site generation
Energy sourcing is one of the biggest levers for decarbonisation. For a venue, using renewables not only reduces operational emissions but can also build resilience against energy price volatility and regulatory risk. For corporate clients, choosing venues powered by clean energy adds real weight to their ESG credentials.
Event planners often overlook renewable energy and on-site generation because these solutions usually require infrastructure changes that venues—not planners—control, making them seem impractical or out of scope for a single event, but every single event held at a venue plays into what should be the biggest focus, and that’s what effect a year or a decade’s worth of events is truly having on the planet.
Ultimately, the venues that win the trust of corporate clients are the ones that prove their sustainability claims, not just advertise them. As pressure mounts on businesses to evidence real progress against ESG goals, planners who understand and prioritise these six often-overlooked features will be the ones delivering events that genuinely stand up to scrutiny.
The shift is already happening, clients are demanding more, regulators are tightening expectations, and greenwashing is no longer tolerated. The question is no longer whether sustainability matters, but whether your venue partnership can demonstrate it.