The Value of Earning Sustainability Certification: Why It Matters
Verve’s Sustainability Journey
For nearly a decade, we’ve been working to make sure sustainability isn’t a footnote, but a foundation, something embedded into the way we do business. From the very first event concept to the final wrap-up report, our goal is to create experiences that leave lasting impressions without leaving a heavy footprint. This philosophy has guided our journey since 2014, when we first achieved ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management.
Fast forward to 2025, and that journey has deepened. We’ve now held ISO 20121 for 11 consecutive years, added ISO 14001 certification for environmental management in 2023, and became a certified B Corp in 2024. These certifications are more than milestones – they’re markers of an evolving approach that extends beyond events and into the heart of how we operate across our offices in Dublin, London, and Amsterdam.
This work is driven by our in-house Green Team – a cross-functional group that ensures we’re not only setting ambitious goals, but also holding ourselves accountable with rigorous reporting, clear KPIs, and meaningful impact.
Why ISO and B Corp Matter
Certifications like ISO 20121 and ISO 14001 offer more than just reassurance – they offer structure. ISO 20121 focuses on making event operations more sustainable, tracking areas like carbon emissions, circular economy strategies, climate resilience, and social equity. ISO 14001 takes this a step further by zooming in on our day-to-day operations – think energy usage, emissions per project, and how we source and manage resources across the board.
Our B Corp certification adds a different lens – one that examines the full spectrum of our impact. Governance, team wellbeing, client accountability, environmental practice, and community engagement are all measured, independently verified, and scored. Achieving B Corp status required us to surpass a global benchmark for responsible business, and we continue to build on that foundation with every project and partnership.
The Business Case for Sustainability
In today’s world, sustainability isn’t a bonus – it’s expected. Brands, clients, and stakeholders are demanding more: transparency, action, and proof. Certifications like ISO and B Corp help meet that expectation with real, verified data. They offer more than compliance, they drive efficiency, improve brand trust, and reduce long-term risk.
But more importantly, they help build a better business. One where carbon and energy use are actively measured and reduced, where waste is tackled through smarter procurement and circular systems, and where diversity, equity, and wellbeing are prioritised as core values, not afterthoughts.
At Verve, we believe that the brands shaping the future are those willing to lead with purpose. For us, that means embedding sustainability not just into our events, but into every corner of our company culture. Because a better future isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we help build.
