News, Events and Courses
We keep you up to date with the latest news from the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, it’s partners and the wider world of sustainability and the wedding industry.
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Latest News
The latest sustainable business news and helpful articles from our partners and member organisations. If you’d like to submit an article, please get in touch.
Revolutionising Sustainability in the Wedding Industry
The Sustainable Wedding Alliance introduces a groundbreaking accreditation, revolutionising sustainability in the wedding industry, empowering businesses to create eco-friendly weddings.
We’re proud to be signatories of the Prompt Payment Code… are you?
They say money makes the world go round, and it’s a fundamental part of sustainability. For us transparency when it comes to money is key. As part of ensuring we are financially responsible, we adhere to the ethical marketing pledge and prompt payment code.
Win. Don’t Bin with Guardians of Grub for Food Waste Action Week 2023
Hospitality and Food Service professionals can show how they are saving food, money and time in the race to Net Zero by keeping food from being wasted this March. Eleanor Morris at WRAP tells us how.
What is a sustainability policy and does my business need one?
A Sustainability Policy outlines your commitment towards ethical and environmental practices and procedures within your business. But where do you start when creating one?
What is net zero and how do you achieve it?
We’ve all heard the term net zero, but what exactly does it mean? Put simply, net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere.
Businesses should be rewarded for being sustainable…
Being a sustainable business isn't about financial gain, it's about being responsible and making considered choices. But what if there were also rewards, acknowledging outstanding businesses and individuals, and encouraging sustainable behaviour?
Behaviours, attitudes and awareness around recycling
Although recycling is third on the waste hierarchy, it isn't to be underestimated. If you can't reduce, or reuse an item, your next point of call should be recycling. Over the years attitudes towards recycling have changed hugely, in both good and not so good ways.
British Flower Week: Celebrating growers, florists and wholesalers
A weeklong celebration of the beauty and variety of British cut flowers, foliage and plants, as well as the florists, growers and wholesalers across the country.
How important is sustainability to couples planning their wedding?
We recently ran a survey on couples that are planning their wedding, or recently married to find out how important sustainability was to them. And the results speak for themselves...
Survey Results: How sustainable is the wedding industry right now?
Is a question that we get asked a lot! And unfortunately there hasn't been an easy answer. So in April 2021 we launched our wedding sustainability surveys - one for couples and one for businesses.
It’s time for the 2022 Sustainability Survey – Help us help you
The 2022 Sustainable Surveys are out! Closing date for replies is 22nd April. Our mission to to make the wedding industry more sustainable, but to do that it's important for us to know where we are. For businesses and couples.
Member News: The Wellbeing Farm Certifies as a B Corporation
SWA Member, The Wellbeing Farm has been awarded B Corporation certification. They are one of the first hospitality businesses to achieve this important certification and the first exclusive events and wedding venue in the UK.
Sustainable Wedding Planning: Getting rid of the unnecessaries
When we say unnecessaries, we're talking about all those little things, all the elements that are nice to have, but when you look at the waste and cost (both financially and to the planet) aren't truly necessary.
At last, a genuinely plastic-free solution for hot drinks!
We get through 7 million single-use coffee cups each day in the UK - 2.5 billion every year. Thankfully there are some solutions available, including a genuinely plastic-free solution.
Time to talk food waste and what to do about it
If you’ve not heard of Guardians of Grub yet, you soon will. It’s the latest initiative from the people behind Love Food Hate Waste, that’s helping the Hospitality and Food Service industry tackle the £3.2billion of wasted food we chuck into the bin every year.
Sustainability News | Supply Chain | November 2021
This month we've been talking a lot about supply chain - talking to suppliers about how you can more to a more sustainable supply chain and remove single use plastic. It's also something we've seen a lot in the media about this month.
Is your comms strategy ready for the new Green Claims Code?
Businesses making claims about their sustainability will have to provide more transparency to avoid greenwashing, as new ‘Green Claims’ guidance comes into force in January. Is your business green claims code ready?
Report reveals higher digital carbon cost than round the world flights
Nearly 80% of us failing to consider the environmental impact of our data use online, ‘dirty data’ habits could be silently contributing as much to global emissions as international air travel.
Sustainability News | Water | October 2021
This month we've been talking a lot about water - why we need it, where it comes from, how to storage, save and measure it... But it's also been featured in the media a lot this month too.
We need to stop burning stuff
#StopBurningStuff - A special episode ahead of the UN Climate Change Convention (COP26)
Switching to renewable electricity
One of the simplest ways for you to reduce your impact on the climate is to switch your energy supply to renewable electricity
Are we running out of water?
Despite water covering 71% of the planet’s surface, more than half the world’s population endures extreme water scarcity for at least one month a year. So are we running out of clean water?
Forests are a lifeline for people and planet
Forests are a lifeline for both people and planet, and are the second largest global store of carbon on our planet. Yet they are being cleared, burned or degraded at an alarming rate. But what can you do to help prevent further deforestation?
Sustainability News | Energy | September 2021
This month we've been talking a lot about energy, how it's produced, how to save it and where to buy it, and it's been featured a lot in the media too.
Business Declares a Climate Emergency
You may have heard us mention Business Declares in the past, but who are they, what do they do and how can you get involved?
What is air pollution?
What is air pollution? Learn how greenhouse gasses, smog, and toxic pollutants effect climate change, and human health.
Why does the wedding industry need to be more sustainable?
As part of our #DrivingSustainableChange series we interviewed Gwenda Jeffs about the changes she has seen in the industry since taking over the GREEN UNION, through the pandemic and her predictions for the future.
Sustainability News | Waste | August 2021
Waste has been a real issue across the industry for many years, and although people are more aware of the damage that single use can do, in busy times they fall back into old habits and choose convenience over conscience.
What does the IPCC report mean?
"If we combine forces now, we can avert climate catastrophe. But, as today's report makes clear, there is no time for delay and no room for excuses. I count on government leaders and all stakeholders to ensure COP26 is a success." UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Sustainability News | Carbon | July 2021
As we reach the half way point in the year, I think it's fair to say that no one expected we'd be where we are... this is our monthly round up of sustainability news from across the globe.
How can you make your small business more sustainable?
Understand what you can do to have a positive impact on the environment. It's not just about saving the planet, it's great for your brand reputation and bottom line too!
Why I’ve decided to make my business a more sustainable one
As part of our Driving Sustainable Change series, we're talking to business owners and sustainability champions. Today we hear from Jo about how she made her business more sustainable.
The wedding industry can build back better
It's been a tough year but as an industry we have an opportunity to build back better, making our businesses more sustainable and meeting the demand from conscious couples for sustainable, ethical weddings.
Speakers for the Sustainable Wedding Summit 2021 announced
Join us for the first Sustainable Wedding Summit on Thursday 6th May and find out what you can do to make your business more sustainable. The event will be taking place virtually with speakers and live Q&A.
What is Earth Day and how can you be part of the change?
On 22nd April we celebrate Earth Day. This year, the theme is "Restore our Earth". Earth Day events will be taking place online, across the world, with up to 1 billion people getting involved across more than 190 nations.
Proud to partner with Sheepdrove, leading the way in sustainable weddings
Sheepdrove is owned by environmental campaigners Peter and Juliet Kindersley. Sheepdrove has for decades been leading the way with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
International Women’s Day: Celebrating female leaders in Sustainability
Promoting a more sustainable future and celebrating those women that have led the way for us. A challenged world is an alert world. And from challenge comes change. So let's all #ChooseToChallenge.
Conscious wedding businesses come together to create a more sustainable industry
Officially launched on 1 March 2021, the Sustainable Wedding Alliance guides wedding businesses along their sustainable journey, through education, support and accreditation.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability can mean different things to different people, but in the context of your business, what does it mean to you? To develop a sustainable business you need to think about meeting your current business and clients needs, whilst protecting the environment and resources for the future.
What can we do to tackle food waste in the wedding industry?
For the majority of weddings, after travel, food waste is the one of the highest contributors to GHG. But what can we do to reduce food waste in the industry? #GuardiansOfGrub #LoveFoodHateWaste
Now is the time to develop a clear action plan to reach net zero
According a recent study by the British Chambers of Commerce, only 1 in 10 small businesses measure their carbon footprint. That's despite over half of the businesses saying that their customers were concerned about the climate crisis.
2021 can be the year that we turn the tide on climate change
Four out of five people choosing companies that have a positive approach to environmental sustainability, now is the right time to make your business sustainable.
What is a green economy?
Now is the time to build a better future. What gets decided now could impact us for decades to come. But what is a green economy? And how does it help us put people and the planet first? Find out by watching this video.
Carbon Literacy Training for Wedding Professionals
Join the accredited Carbon Literacy training course, designed for those working in the wedding industry. This is the perfect course for people that want to make a positive change and take action on climate change through their role.
This course is aimed specifically at those in the wedding industry, and will give you the knowledge and the tools you need to be confident when talking about climate change. The course will take you from the basics of climate science, and what is happening with the climate emergency; through to how this will impact everyone, enabling you to pledge relevant carbon reducing actions in your life, work & industry.
On successful completion of your Carbon Literacy training, after submitting your actions, you can become certified as ‘Carbon Literate’, joining more than 70,000 others, and including business leaders across multiple sectors. By taking part in this course, you will join individuals and team members across other businesses including the NHS, Patagonia and the BBC to become ‘Carbon Literate’, helping to embed a widespread low-carbon culture.
We run both in person and online sessions. The in person sessions are completed in one day, whilst the online training is usually over two half day sessions.
After completing the course, you’ll be asked to complete a Participant Evidence form which will then be sent to the Carbon Literacy Project for approval. Once the form has been approved you will receive your certificate.
The course is £80 per person plus a £10 certificate fee. The course is free for Sustainable Wedding Alliance Members.
Sign up to join us at one of the scheduled training courses, or if you’d like to host an in person session with colleagues or your network, contact us to find out our availability.
Monday 9th to Tuesday 10th October
9am – 1pm GMT | Online
Tuesday 14th to Wednesday 15th November
9am – 1pm GMT | Online
Monday 4th December
9.30am – 5pm GMT | Hayne House, Kent
Tuesday 7th November
3pm – 4:15pm
Is it possible to have a sustainable wedding?
In short, yes, it is… but how, what do you need to know and where do you start?
Join us to hear from Sustainable Wedding Alliance Founder, Michelle Miles about what you can do to make your day more sustainable, get advice and actionable steps to take away when planning your wedding.
This event is part of Ethical Consumer Week 2023 #ECweek2023
Conscious Connections
Conscious Connections events are for local suppliers to come together, network and learn from each other.
Our next Conscious Connections events will be at the end of this year. If you would like to receive information on these or are a venue and would to like to host one of these events please contact [email protected]
