Green success for SPATEX host
Andy Slater- 5 hours ago
SPATEX host Coventry Building Society Arena has gained recognition for sustainable practices across its operations by becoming one of the first organisations in the West Midlands to be presented with a Green Tourism Award.
Following a successful partnership with West Midlands Growth Company, the CBS Arena is now promoting its internationally renowned certification after a comprehensive process. A key element of this process for the venue, which will be hosting the 30th edition of SPATEX next year from February 3 to 5, involved having to provide sustainability evidence in 18 categories relating to environmental, social and governance (ESG).
This evidence resulted in the venue being awarded bronze certification. As part of the promotion of its new ‘Green’ status, the CBS Arena has reported that it will now work with Green Tourism toward making progress to achieving the silver and gold level awards.
Over the last two years, the venue has made significant positive progress to be more sustainable. This include the elimination of single-use plastic packaging, reducing waste and ensuring as little is sent landfill as possible. The venue also collates sustainability data from all core suppliers and is consolidating deliveries to reduce CO2 emissions from unnecessary transport.
Through its decarbonisation work with Skoot.Eco, the CBS Arena has also planted 20,427 trees, while monetary donations from visitors to the venue has helped to fund the equivalent removal of 825.78kg of plastic waste from coastlines. It has also expanded its work with local suppliers, with the majority of its meat now sourced from a three-mile radius and working with local sustainable packaging supplier Purple Planet Packaging.
CBS Arena, which has been celebrating a Silver Award in the ‘Business Events Venue of the Year’ category at the West Midlands Tourism Awards, is also working on a new sustainability partnership with E.ON to drive its continued decarbonisation. This will see the potential installation of solar panels on its roof and accessible electric vehicle charging choices for visitors, and planned upgrades to the Arena’s existing heating and cooling system.
In addition, the Green Tourism award recognises the contribution made by the CBS Arena to the local community and economy. Last year the venue hosted 55 community tours for 1,429 people; along with five school visits and support for seven local charities, including hosting the ‘One Day at Christmas’ event for 200 guests in December.
“We’re proud to have achieved bronze and this will give us a great foundation to build from as we target silver and gold certification,” revealed CBS Arena Head of Supply Chain Tom Davies.
“Achieving this accreditation is recognition of the hard work put in by the team in recent years to enhance our sustainable practices, including encouraging our partners and visitors to be conscious of their environmental impact.
“Supported by our partners at E.ON, we are now entering a new phase of our sustainability strategy, as we continue to reduce our carbon footprint and positively impact the local community.”
The CBS Arena has also recently hosted the Kabbadi World Cup, which marked another historic moment for the venue and Coventry as it was the first time the event had been hosted within the UK.
www.coventrybuildingsocietyarena.co.uk
