AGF launch new "A Greener Supplier" Certification
AGF are excited to announce "A Greener Supplier Certification", which enables green suppliers to gain independent verification of their sustainability credentials.With sustainability high on the agenda of events, festivals and tours, the importance of finding trusted green suppliers has never been more important. The certification will help events, festivals and tours identify verified trusted green suppliers more easily. For suppliers with the certification, it will demonstrate to clients the commitment and real action for sustainability, and reduce the effort required to demonstrate their green credentials to prospective customers.To attain the certification suppliers will demonstrate a commitment to supporting biodiversity and reducing their organisations emissions and waste across the company’s operations, purchases and investment. The supplier assessment will consider the organisation's approach to applicable key elements of environmental sustainability including energy, food & beverage, transport, waste management, water, plastics & packaging, social responsibility, as well as its policy and strategies for dealing with hazardous materials and reductions in CO2 emissions.
Tom Schroeder, Wasserman (formerly Paradigm, Agent to stars such as The xx ,Years & Years, and Annie Mac) said:“If we are going to improve how we tour and really try and address the damage touring can do, we need resources and support that is applicable across all levels. The team at A Greener Festival have been working on real solutions, not just tokenism, and a perfect illustration is their latest initiative. With the certification, all parts of the live music infrastructure can see suppliers and products that have real credentials, approved by those who know best. It is a perfect example of what needs to happen for us to make real change and not just talk about it.”
Mark Ward, Production Director, Proper Productions Ltd (BST Hyde Park and All Points East) said:“I've had so many conversations over so many years with major touring artists around ‘why isn’t there something like a Kite Mark so we can see who is really good at doing this stuff’”. For the industry to have that certification now from AGF - a known, trusted and proven source - is a huge positive. In many ways it’s a game changer.”
Carol Scott, Principle Sustainability Advocate, TAIT said:“There is a huge amount for our industry to take on board as it enters a new era where sustainability ranks top of the list on everyone’s agenda. Any initiative that streamlines and simplifies any of our production processes; particularly procurement will be hugely advantageous across the board”.Jamal Chalabi, Head of A Greener Tour said:“A Greener Supplier certification celebrates the many suppliers who are already moving their business forward to a more sustainable future and acts as a road of direction for those looking for guidance on how to get there with the assurance of an industry standard.”Says AGF CEO Claire O’Neill:“Ensuring an event, tour or venue is as green as possible can be resource heavy and confusing, and it depends significantly upon the action and engagement of the suppliers. Those who are taking action to change our industry for the better deserve recognition, and if we can help to reduce the resource burden to find and evidence Greener suppliers at the same time we can effect change more quickly.”
If you wish to find out more about A Greener Supplier, please register your interest here.