At UKREiiF sustainability and net zero is a core theme, with dedicated panels, sessions and activities focused on this topic.

We’ve had some inspirational speeches and keynotes from leading figures including; Chris Skidmore MP, former Energy Minister and Kerry McCarthy MP, former Shadow Minister for Climate Change, alongside many developers, investors and local authorities who have joined the net zero conversation at UKREiiF.

UKREiiF has achieved ISO 20121 Sustainable Events Management accreditation.

We understand events can take a heavy toll on resources, society and the environment, often generating significant waste. Not only will we be promoting sustainability to our attendees in terms of their travel, and sponsors in terms of their involvement – but we showcase our commitment and awareness of the social, economic and environmental impact of UKREiiF, through this accreditation.

Events with a similar end-goal as UKREiiF are incredibly expensive in terms of the carbon cost due to them taking place overseas. This event is already making a huge reduction in carbon emissions by offering a UK alternative.

We’ve teamed up with the likes of LNER to promote sustainable transport via rail, and with Club Peloton, Iceni Projects and Hexa Consulting to promote sustainable transport via cycle, whilst walking is actively promoted on arrival to the train station in addition to the water taxi. Running, yoga, paddle boarding and walking fringe events are also actively promoted.

At UKREiiF we’re focused on ensuring the minimum amount of waste is sent to landfill, and that’s why we work with B&M Waste Services (a carbon neutral waste and recycling provider) for our own office waste, which is being tracked to create transparency.

Since monitoring our waste we’ve managed to send 0% of our office waste to landfill – with 87% recycled and 13% used for RDF. RDF stands for Refuse Derived Fuel – produced from combustible components which are burned at RERF (Leeds Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility) to produce energy from waste.

We also work with our venues and supply chain to try and reduce waste through sustainably sourced, recyclable materials for our events too.

We will be forging numerous partnerships around both the UKREiiF event and the annual activity before the annual event.

Partnerships with the likes of UK Business Council for Sustainable Development, Landscape Institute, Sustrans, BRE Group and the UK Green Building Council have enabled them at our event to use the platform to share their knowledge, promote a more sustainable future and advise on more greener practices. We’ll continue to build these relationships.

To showcase our commitment to the net zero agenda we have made a pledge with the SME Climate Hub – joining other organisations in tackling climate change by beginning our journey to reduce emissions and make firm commitments as to when these will be done by.

This sees up make the promise that we will act – by halving our emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050 – and we will be transparent by reporting on our progress every year. This pledge sees us enter the United Nation’s Race to Zero – where thousands of businesses and governments are globally looking to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Working with rental living pioneer Moda Living, UKREiiF ran an industry first initiative to enable more than 5,000 carbon-free journeys from areas within the UK to the event. This was done through donations made at The Moda Bar based at a key area of the event.

Data taken from UKREiiF’s registration process showed 30,000 trees or equivalent offsetting projects worth £30,000 would need to be taken to neutralise the impact of the UK delegates’ travel – and Moda are working with an official carbon offsetting partner to allocate the funds raised to meaningful projects to protect the environment across the glove.

In 2024 we’ve also partnered with ecolibrium to spreadhead an initiative to offset travel emissions individually and promote more sustainable methods of transport.

For those signing up to UKREiiF as a partner, sponsor or exhibitor we ask them to sign a contract and charter which highlights our mission and focus on achieving ISO Accreditation.

This contract and charter gives guidance on what companies could and should be doing – including a request not to give away single use plastics on their exhibition stands, and to think about the waste and environmental impact of everything they’re doing whilst attending the event.

We’re partnering with organisations to maximise recycling and minimise waste sent to energy recovery via the local district heating network.

This includes collecting items such as lanyards and other reusable materials for exceptional organisations like The Recycle Yard, which repurposes local waste for creative, educational, and business use. We’re proud to support their mission, which benefits schools, nurseries, community groups, charities, and more – providing them with affordable materials or direct donations.