thestudio achieves ECOsmart GOLD for the fourth consecutive year
Posted on 19 February 2026
For the meetings and events industry we all know that sustainability is no longer one of those “nice‑to‑haves”. It’s the standard expectation.
With organisers, businesses, and delegates increasingly seeking venues that walk the walk on climate responsibility, industry‑recognised certifications have become essential for establishing credibility. So back in 2022 choosing the Greengage ECOsmart scheme as a way to benchmark our environmental and sustainability practices was an instinctive choice.
Since then we’re proud to have been awarded GOLD in each of the subsequent years.
This milestone demonstrates not only a consistent commitment to environmental best practice, but also a strategic, forward‑looking approach that positions thestudio as an industry leader in sustainable venue operations.
What is the Greengage ECOsmart accreditation?
The Greengage ECOsmart accreditation is a widely respected, industry‑standard sustainability certification for hotels, meeting venues, and serviced accommodation. It evaluates organisations across a broad range of environmental and social impact criteria, including:
- Energy efficiency
- Waste reduction
- Responsible sourcing
- Water conservation
- Social responsibility
- Emissions awareness
- Operational practices
The ECOsmart rating is solely awarded to venues demonstrating proven eco‑friendly initiatives across their operations, supported by evidence and ongoing commitment.
As one of the most trusted sustainability frameworks within the meetings and events sector, ECOsmart is widely recognised as the go‑to benchmark for evaluating environmental responsibility. It provides assurance to event planners and clients that a venue has been independently and rigorously assessed – something increasingly valuable in an industry striving for measurable climate action.
Even more importantly, ECOsmart is a continually evolving scheme and certifications are regularly reviewed, challenging venues to show ongoing improvement to maintain their rating. This means that achieving Gold once is an achievement—but maintaining it repeatedly year on year is a clear sign of sustained, strategic progress.
A Four‑Year Streak That Speaks Volumes
Achieving Gold is a significant milestone for any venue. Achieving it four years running, as thestudio has now done underlines that:
- Sustainability Is Embedded, Not Bolted On
We have been committed to reducing our environmental impact since being established in 2006 and continue to have it at the forefront of all procurement, investment, policy and process decisions we make.
- Continuous Improvement Is Prioritised
The company uses ECOsmart not just for accreditation, but as a framework for reflection and continuous improvement
- Sustainability Is Both Environmental and Social
From responsible catering to community participation, we embrace a broad definition of sustainability.
- Innovation Thrives Despite Constraints
Not owning our buildings has encouraged greater creativity, partnership, and operational efficiency.
Our Environment and Sustainability Policy ‘at a glance’
Keen to know what we’re up to? Take a look at our environment and sustainability policy ‘at a glance’ below:
- Waste Reduction and a Reuse-First Approach
We ensure that only reusable or recyclable items are used in its day‑delegate packages and event setups.
This directly supports waste minimisation and aligns with circular economy principles—one of the most impactful actions for reducing event‑related footprint.
- Responsible, Local, and Plant‑Forward Food Sourcing
Food sustainability is one of the most critical impact areas in any event venue. Our initiatives include:
- More than 50% plant‑based menus to reduce carbon intensity.
- Local sourcing wherever possible to reduce transport emissions.
- Redistribution of spare food via charities wherever possible.
These policies contribute not only to carbon reduction but also to food security and social impact.
- Water Conservation Through On‑Site Bottling
Instead of using single‑use bottles we bottle own still and sparkling water in reusable containers, saving thousands of glass bottles from waste streams annually.
- Energy Responsibility and Renewable Supply
We are committed to 100% renewable electricity, ensuring that the energy powering our operations is as low‑carbon as possible.
Alongside this, the business is continually investing in energy‑efficient equipment, further supporting its emissions‑reduction goals.
- Continuous Energy Reduction Initiatives
Across all venues we have committed to ongoing energy reduction via renewal schemes, equipment upgrades and strategic monitoring.
- Encouraging Low‑Carbon Travel
To reduce travel impact (often the largest contributor to overall event emissions), we have
- Consciously opened locations within walking distance of major public transport hubs
- Provided cycling storage facilities for guests and staff in all venues
- Implemented flexible working schemes to reduce staff commuting emissions
- Transparency and Measurement Tools
Through the EVENTsmart carbon footprint calculator, we also give clients the opportunity to understand and measure the environmental impact of their events.
Looking Ahead
While achieving Gold for four years is a milestone in itself we know that sustainability is an ongoing journey. We recognise that “what we can do to support our commitment evolves over time,” and that improvement is a continuous process.
Areas of future focus includes:
- Further carbon‑reduction initiatives
- Expanded zero‑waste programmes
- Greater use of renewable and low‑impact technologies
- More tools to help clients host environmentally conscious events
- Continued expansion of community partnerships
We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead by example wherever we possibly can. To learn more about our environment and sustainability policy and practices visit our environment and sustainability page on our website here.
