The O2 bolsters its sustainability credentials

The O2 in London has announced that it has been awarded ‘Commended’ status as ‘A Greener Arena’.

The certification is awarded by A Greener Festival (AGF), a not-for-profit company and sustainability expert, dedicated to helping events, festivals, and venues around the world to become more sustainable.

The ‘Commended’ status recognises arenas that show ‘demonstrable improvements’ and ‘a significant engagement in reducing negative environmental and social impacts’.

This certification follows a year of sustainability initiatives at The O2. In February, the AEG Europe venue made history by hosting the world’s first carbon-removed arena events at The 1975’s four headline shows, resulting in the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes.

The venue has also optimised energy efficiencies within the arena and made ‘significant’ enhancements to waste management, with the full deployment of reusable cups and the installation of new waste sorting facilities both back and front-of-house.

“We’ve made incredible strides at The O2 this year”

On its path to net zero, the 20,000-capacity arena has invested in electric powered vehicles to eradicate its fossil fuel emissions altogether, with works continuing into 2025 with the installation of electric forklifts for use across the full site.

“From history-making moments like our carbon removed events, to the essential works we’ve done behind the scenes to create efficiencies and minimise waste and emissions, we’ve made incredible strides at The O2 this year and we’re proud to have this recognised by A Greener Future,” says Sam Booth, director of sustainability at AEG Europe.

“The path to net zero is one that is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to continued innovation so that we can deliver world-class, sustainable events for our fans, bands, and brands.”

Claire O’Neil, CEO at A Greener Future, adds “We’re really happy for The O2 and want to congratulate their team for all of their efforts to run a greener arena. When one of the most iconic venues takes visible action for a more sustainable live sector it reverberates throughout the industry. With all shoulders to the wheel, we look forward to seeing what will come next!”

In 2022, The O2 became the first arena in England to achieve its Greener Arena certification.

The O2 recently announced record-breaking ticket sales in 2024, with over 2.6 million tickets sold – a 3.5% uplift on 2023’s previously unsurpassed figure.

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