THE GSES system events & venues
Measure your Events & Venues sustainability performance on the Global Sustainable Enterprise System
What is the Venue Scorecard?
GSES and the Johan Cruijff ArenA are spearheading the drive for sustainability within the events and venues sector. Together, GSES and the ArenA, are introducing the Green Venue Standard & the Green Event Standard. These standards have been designed to assess the sustainability of organisations, events, and venues, offering a comprehensive framework to drive sustainability advancements. Initiating this effort, the ArenA has commenced the process of measurement and verification for its own operations, actively engaging its key suppliers.
Through the dedicated online GSES platform, the ArenA and GSES have established a Net Positive dashboard and event module. Within this platform, the ArenA is not only measuring and reporting its sustainability efforts but also involving its entire supply chain. This approach ensures transparency and accountability. The ArenA is committed to openly sharing its progress and addressing challenges, facilitating a platform for other organisations and partners with similar sustainability aspirations to gain insights and take actionable steps towards achieving net positive outcomes.
Ready to be sustainable?
Why a Venue Scorecard?
Measuring the sustainability performance of events and venues, including concerts, concert halls, sport games, and stadiums, offers numerous benefits and serves various essential purposes:
Benefits
01
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REDUCTION:
Measuring sustainability helps identify areas of high environmental impact, enabling targeted efforts to minimise resource consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions.
02
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY:
Measurement promotes efficient use of resources like energy, water, and materials, leading to cost savings and reduced ecological footprint.
03
POSITIVE REPUTATION:
Demonstrating sustainability efforts enhances an organisation's reputation, attracting environmentally conscious attendees, sponsors, and partners.
04
COMPLIANCE AND RISK:
Monitoring aligns events and venues with regulations and standards, minimising legal and financial risks associated with non-compliance.
05
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY:
Sustainability measurement identifies opportunities for process optimization, enhancing overall operational efficiency and effectiveness.
06
INNOVATION AND DIFFERENTIATION:
Measuring sustainability stimulates innovation in areas like waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable sourcing, differentiating events and venues in a competitive market.
07
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:
Transparent reporting of sustainability initiatives enhances stakeholder engagement, fostering trust and loyalty among attendees, sponsors, and communities.
08
COST SAVINGS:
Sustainability measurement often leads to cost reductions through improved energy management, waste reduction, and operational streamlining.
09
ATTRACTING PARTNERSHIPS:
Demonstrating commitment to sustainability can attract collaborations with like-minded partners, amplifying positive impacts.
10
LONG-TERM VIABILITY:
Measurement aids in identifying long-term sustainability goals and strategies, ensuring the continued success and relevance of events and venues.
The Johan Cruijff ArenA and GSES are setting the industry standards with the Green Venue Standard and the Green Event Standard, a measurement framework for CSRD, ESG, and Net Positive. This framework is available in the form of an online measurement and management system with accompanying dashboards. This is the “Venue Scorecard” on the GSES Platform. This scorecard provides standardised information about the sustainability of this event.
Venue Scorecard
THE GSES system events & venues
Purposes
01
GOAL SETTING AND MONITORING:
Measurement provides a baseline to set targets and track progress towards sustainability goals over time.
02
TRANSPARENCY ANS ACCOUNTABILITY:
Reporting performance fosters transparency, enabling stakeholders to hold events and venues accountable for their environmental and social impacts.
03
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:
Regular measurement guides ongoing improvement efforts, ensuring that events and venues remain aligned with evolving sustainability standards.
04
EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM:
Measurement serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about sustainability and inspiring positive behaviour change among attendees and participants.
05
POLICY ADVOCACY:
Demonstrating positive outcomes can support advocacy for sustainable policies and practices within the broader event industry and community.
06
BENCHMARKING:
Measurement allows for benchmarking against industry standards and peers, identifying areas of excellence and areas for improvement.
07
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Sustainable events and venues contribute positively to their host communities, fostering community engagement and goodwill.
08
LEGACY CREATION:
Measurement helps create a lasting positive legacy by minimising negative impacts and leaving a sustainable footprint for future generations.
In summary, measuring sustainability performance for events and venues not only offers tangible benefits but also serves as a vital tool for driving positive change, enhancing operations, and creating a meaningful and enduring impact on the environment and society.
How does it work?
The verification and certification of these standards are carried out by autonomous certification entities such as Control Union Certifications, Audit Independer, and others, facilitated through the GSES platform. These certification bodies function as external parties, independently confirming the validity of certification frameworks, distinct from the entities overseeing the certification schemes. The evaluation processes are grounded in ISO standards, including ISO 17065 (pertaining to products), ISO 17021 (at the organisational level), and ISO 17029 (focused on data audits). Oversight of certification institutions, such as Control Union Certifications, falls within the purview of the Council of Accreditation (RvA).
A standard for everyone’s use
The Johan Cruijff ArenA and GSES created these standards, on GSES digital solution for open and independent use for other event initiators, venues and stadiums.
Governance of the two standards
The oversight of the Green Venue Standard & the Green Event Standard, both for event suppliers and for events themselves, is managed by an autonomous technical committee and an assembly of proficient individuals. These standards operate on an open-source basis, allowing stakeholders and users the opportunity to contribute their insights. Submissions are subject to assessment by the expert panel and technical committee, with the outcomes of the review process published for transparency.
What are the primary areas covered by these standards?
- Social and corporate social responsibility (CSR) aspects following ISO 26000, through the GSES pillar.
- Key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainable procurement aligned with ISO 20400, through the GSES pillar.
- Circular economy, through the GSES pillar: Circular Economy
- CO2 reduction mandates in accordance with ISO 50001, through the GSES pillar.
- Health and safety prerequisites based on ISO 45001, through the GSES pillar.
Furthermore, events are evaluated by the Green Event Standard to showcase real-time data on:
- Carbon footprint of the event.
- Visitor data encompassing transportation, diversity, and movement tracking.
- Real-time CO2 data.
- Utilisation of sustainable and green energy sources.
More information on the ArenA’s Net Positive Ambitions – sustainable trend setter
The Johan Cruijff ArenA is embarking on an ambitious path to achieve complete sustainability, striving for net positive operations by 2030. This ambitious goal underscores their commitment to giving back more to the environment and society than they take from it. Collaborating with key partners including Ajax and the Municipality of Amsterdam, the ArenA is actively working towards achieving net positive outcomes for football matches, concerts, and various events hosted at the venue.
Furthermore, the ArenA is dedicated to enhancing its impact, extending its support to sustainability objectives of artists, clubs, organisers, and the Municipality of Amsterdam. By doing so, the ArenA is setting a noteworthy example, aiming to establish a benchmark for other organisations to follow.
Thanks to strong collaboration with its shareholders, founders, and partners, the Johan Cruijff ArenA has showcased its unwavering commitment to social responsibility and sustainability throughout its 25-year journey. This enduring dedication has been fueled by a constant drive for innovation. Notably, the ArenA collaborated with a diverse range of partners to pioneer Europe’s largest energy storage system within a commercial structure, dedicated to storing sustainably generated electricity.
Additionally, the venue boasts over 4,200 solar panels mounted on its roof and procures wind energy, effectively powering the facility with clean electricity. The Johan Cruijff ArenA has also taken part in the ‘1,000 jobs for Amsterdam’s South East district’ initiative, contributing to the integration of underprivileged individuals into the workforce. These substantial initiatives provide a robust foundation as the Johan Cruijff ArenA embarks on its journey towards achieving net positive impact.
Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam, expressed her pride in the ArenA’s sustained commitment to innovative sustainability practices over the years. She lauded the ArenA’s new ambition to attain net positive status, acknowledging its exemplar role for Amsterdam and society at large. This partnership aligns with the city’s broader sustainability objectives and sets a commendable precedent for others to follow.
