Cross Association Sustainability Working Group - 7 May 2015

Drawing its membership from the AEV, ESSA and AEO, the cross association Sustainability Working Group met at Manchester Central, with Jonathan Smith of FIVE, Farnborough International Ltd chairing the meeting in his capacity as vice-chair of the group.

After the apologies and a welcome for new members the group approved the minutes of the previous meeting before going on to the substantive discussion topics.  First on the agenda was a robust debate on the relative merits of ISO20121 (Event Sustainability) as compared to ISO140001 (Environmental Management), and other ISO quality auditing schemes.

A discussion followed about the future focus of the Sustainability Working Group, in light of plans to novate the extremely successful cross association CDM Working Group as a general Health & Safety group.

The group went on to consider the impact of EU legislation on traffic and air quality, with particular reference to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London coming into force in 2020. The discusssion also touched on the effects of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) on road freight costs and liabilities.

Rounding off the meeting with a news and general venue update, the group heard from its members about progress and developments in sustainability at venues around the country, and suggested agenda points for the group's next meeting in the Autumn. The venue and date for the Sustainability Working Group's next meeting was then agreed as October 1, 2015 at The Crystal, Royal Victoria Dock, London.