It’s only in its first year, but already Aviva Stadium in Dublin has achieved BS8901:2009 certification, which confirms its status as a sustainable venue operating a sustainability management system for all its events.
Certification Europe awarded the certification. The organisation, headquartered in Ireland, is an internationally focused firm that audits and certifies organisations to international best practice management.
BS8901:2009 is currently a British Standard but is likely to become an international standard (ISO) next year in tandem with the London 2012 Olympics.
Aviva Stadium started its four-year journey towards BS8901:2009 certification during its construction phase. The certification confirms the stadium takes a sustainable approach to managing its environmental, social and commercial impacts.
“It was important to us to ensure that we took a sustainable approach in planning the operation of the stadium and then implementing those plans,” said Martin Murphy, Aviva Stadium director.
“A building of this size in such a unique location creates unusual environmental and social challenges and while the design of the stadium includes some very smart solutions, how we operate the stadium is also an essential aspect of addressing these challenges.”
“The reality is that big business is conscious of its impacts and has a focus on cost management, with large sporting organisations and multinational companies starting to give preference to venues and service providers that take a sustainable approach we are future proofing our business and ensuring that we are doing our part to support Ireland’s push to be seen as a green economy that is open for business.”
BS 8901 lead auditor for Certification Europe Andrew Cartwright said Aviva Stadium has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through the design, construction and operation of the stadium.
“By achieving third-party certification to BS 8901 with Certification Europe, Aviva Stadium can demonstrate to all stakeholders their sustainable credentials. It also gives the public and stakeholders the confidence that the Aviva Stadium is achieving a high standard of corporate social responsibility,” Cartwright said.
Some of the initiatives that assist the team at Aviva Stadium in managing their impacts include:
Environmental – Rain water harvesting, waterless urinals, waste reduction and segregation, including composting and recycling, energy consumption management through smart lighting, heating and cooling control, biodiversity protection measures (bat considerate lighting, bird boxes), supply chain procurement management and promotion of public transport.
Social – Community fund of €100,000 for projects available annually, Membership of the European Healthy Stadia Network, close engagement with the local and business community through a Project Monitoring Committee, dedicate community liaison officer, local employment opportunities.
Economic – Supply chain procurement sourcing nationally or locally where possible, attracting international showpiece sporting and conference events such as the Europa League Final 2011, The Heineken Cup Final 2013, Nokia global conference, global launch of BMW’s new hybrid car.
Photo, left to right: John Ryan, commercial director of Certification Europe; and Martin Murphy, Aviva Stadium director
