9 Important Sustainability Certifications for Choosing the Right Event Venue

Millennials and Gen Z now dominate event audiences, and their focus on sustainability means your event venue choice can’t be an afterthought Today and even more so in the future, it is crucial to select venues with recognized sustainability certifications to ensure your event aligns with eco-friendly practices, reduces environmental impact, and meets attendee expectations.

Keep reading to discover what sustainability certifications for event venues really mean and explore 9 essential sustainability certifications every event planner should know when choosing the right venue.

What Is a Sustainability Certification?

Sustainability certification is an official recognition that a venue meets established environmental, social, and operational sustainability standards.

Each sustainability certification is unique and evaluates different criteria. Some focus on a venue’s environmental performance, while others assess building design, operational practices, materials, or overall sustainability management. It is also important to note that not every certification applies to all event venues because each one is created for specific types of facilities, such as hotels, convention centers, tourism establishments, or buildings that meet green construction or wellness standards.

9 Sustainability Certifications for Event Venues

To make informed decisions, make sure you understand what each certification covers and whether it applies to the type of venue you are considering.

Below are nine leading sustainability certifications for event venues, what each one certifies, the types of venues they apply to, and how they can benefit your event.

1. ISO 20121

ISO 20121 is a certification that verifies an event venue or organization is managing its events in a sustainable, responsible, and ethical way. For event organizers, choosing an ISO 20121 certified event venue means working with a place that prioritizes sustainability, supports inclusive and safe experiences, and contributes to a positive event legacy.

2. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

BREEAM, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is one of the world’s leading sustainability certification systems for buildings. It evaluates how a building performs across key areas such as energy efficiency, carbon reduction, health and wellbeing, resilience, biodiversity, and overall environmental impact.

Opting for an event venue with a BREEAM excellent rating signals that the building meets high standards for sustainability and operational performance.

3. Green Key Eco-Label

The Green Key Eco-Label is a certification that recognizes hotels, conference centers, restaurants, and other tourism establishments that actively reduce their environmental impact through responsible operations, validated documentation, and regular audits.

When you select a venue with a Green Key certification, you can feel confident that your event is held in a space that prioritizes energy efficiency, waste reduction, and overall sustainable practices.

4. EarthCheck

EarthCheck Certification is an internationally recognized sustainability certification for travel and tourism businesses. It confirms that a venue or organization follows strict, science-based practices to reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency, and support local communities through independent audits, performance benchmarking, and ongoing monitoring.

EarthCheck-certified event venues ensure your chosen location manages energy, water, waste, and carbon responsibly while maintaining high-quality service.

5. Green Globe Certification

Green Globe Certification is a global standard that recognizes hotels, resorts, event venues, and other tourism-related businesses for sustainable operations. It is awarded to organizations that meet strict environmental, social, and economic criteria, including energy and water efficiency, waste management, local community support, fair trade, and employee training. Established in 1996 and based in Los Angeles, Green Globe operates in 83 countries with a network of independent auditors who verify compliance.

Partnering with a venue that has Green Globe Certification supports your goal of creating events that reduce environmental impact, support local communities, and promote socially responsible practices.

6. ISO 14001

It’s easy to confuse ISO 20121 with ISO 14001, but they serve different purposes. ISO 14001 sets the standard for environmental management systems, helping organizations minimize environmental impact and meet regulatory requirements. ISO 20121, on the other hand, covers sustainability more broadly, including social and economic factors, making ISO 14001 specifically focused on environmental accountability.

Widely recognized in more than 170 countries, ISO 14001 helps organizations demonstrate environmental leadership and meet the expectations of clients, investors, and attendees. It also supports carbon reduction and greenhouse gas reporting, aligning your event with global sustainability standards. By selecting an event venue with ISO 14001 certification, you can feel assured that the location is consistently reducing its environmental footprint, making your event both greener and more responsible.

7. Green Seal (GS-33)

Green Seal (GS-33) is a certification that proves a hotel or lodging property meets strict environmental, health, and social standards. It applies to a wide range of properties, from full-service hotels and resorts to bed and breakfasts, lodges, and extended-stay accommodations. The certification has three levels, namely Bronze, Silver, and Gold, reflecting increasing leadership in sustainability practices, including waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, and social responsibility.

Hosting your hotel-based event in a venue with Green Seal GS-33 certification can help reduce environmental impact by ensuring the property follows strict standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling.

8. WELL Building Standard

The WELL Building Standard is a certification that measures how buildings support human health and well-being. Launched by the International WELL Building Institute in 2014, it evaluates factors like air and water quality, lighting, fitness, comfort, and mental wellness to create spaces that actively improve physical and mental health. Today, WELL is applied in over 4 billion square feet of building space across 120 countries, making it a global benchmark for healthy environments.

While its primary focus is on human health and well-being within a building, WELL certification also incorporates environmental sustainability, signaling a commitment to socially responsible, people-focused, and eco-friendly practices. This makes it an essential standard for planners seeking venues that prioritize both attendee experience and environmental stewardship.

9. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized certification that confirms buildings follow rigorous standards for energy and water use, materials selection, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. With projects in over 180 countries, LEED is the most widely adopted green building rating system in the world. Hosting your event in a LEED-certified venue provides a reliable way to create sustainable, socially responsible events while offering attendees a healthier and more eco-friendly experience.

Make Your Events Greener With StaffConnect

Prioritizing certified sustainable venues is a great start to ensuring sustainable event management, but to truly plan eco-friendly events, StaffConnect takes it to the next level. StaffConnect is an event management software designed to make sustainable event planning simple and efficient. Its intuitive interface and all-in-one features streamline every step of the process, from organization to execution and post-event follow-up, saving you time, effort, and resources.

With StaffConnect, you can reduce your environmental impact through tools like a centralized digital database that eliminates paper clutter and smart communication features, including automated notifications, live chat, and a central hub for all event communications. These tools help cut down unnecessary travel and energy use while keeping your team connected.

Ready to see how StaffConnect can make your events more sustainable and efficient? Book your free demo today and experience it firsthand.