Access All AreasOn the back of becoming the first English arena to be awarded Greener Arena status by A Greener Future (AGF), The O2 Arena has achieved its highest sustainability accreditation to date.
The AEG owned and operated London venue has gained a Highly Commended rating in the Greener Arena Certification scheme overseen by independent sustainability specialist AGF.
AGF said the certification recognises The O2’s continued commitment to environmental and social sustainability and marks a major milestone in its sustainability journey, with the venue having risen two accreditation tiers since first entering the programme in 2022.
AEG said the achievement follows significant progress across the venue’s operations, resulting in a 27% reduction in carbon emissions per show and a 26% reduction in emissions per fan since 2022: “The reductions have been driven through a series of initiatives including energy efficiency improvements led by The O2’s facilities team, the introduction of an industry-leading renewable electricity Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ecotricity, the transition to electric on-site vehicles and a 31.5% reduction in food service emissions since 2019.”
The venue has also made substantial progress in waste management, increasing its recycling and composting rate by 15% this year through closer collaboration with on-site tenants, enhanced waste segregation practices and a reduction in overall waste streams, according to AEG.
“Achieving a Highly Commended Greener Arena Certification is a fantastic milestone for The O2 and reflects years of commitment, innovation and collaboration across the business,” said AEG International director of sustainability Sam Booth. “Sustainability is embedded into how we operate as a venue, and this recognition demonstrates the progress the team have made in reducing our environmental impact while continuing to deliver world-class live entertainment for millions of visitors every year.
“We’ve come a long way since beginning this journey in 2022, and while we’re proud of what has been achieved, we’re equally focused on continuing to drive progress and finding new ways to reduce emissions, minimise waste and support a more sustainable future for the live events industry.”