Environmental awareness is no longer a nice-to-have. As 2030 approaches and the target date for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it is vital that businesses and venues review their approach to sustainability and take meaningful action.
From sourcing 100% green electricity to offering seasonal, sustainable catering, RCP London Events has already paved the way in reducing its environmental impact. We recognise there is always more to do, and we are proud to have started our journey towards carbon reduction to drive lasting change.
We're proud to share that two of our team members, Marketing Manager Giulia Barazza and Sales and Marketing Executive Sara Gazzo, recently became Carbon Literate through the Carbon Literacy Project, a step that strengthens our collective understanding of climate impact and helps us make smarter, more responsible choices for our venue, our community and the planet.
The Carbon Literacy Project is a programme designed to help individuals and organisations understand climate change, carbon footprints and the tangible effects of our daily choices. Participants calculate their own carbon footprints and make two pledges: one individual action and one group action.
As Giulia explains: “What I find particularly valuable is that it blends theory with practice. By calculating our own carbon footprint and making pledges, we see the real impact of our actions on the planet. It’s a genuinely eye-opening experience.”
Sara adds: “The course helped me connect the dots between my lifestyle, the way we operate at work and the broader societal impact. It’s recognised by the UN for a reason, it truly shows how our choices affect greenhouse gas emissions.”
Both Giulia and Sara have long been passionate about sustainability. Giulia had already been making small personal changes such as reducing meat consumption, buying seasonal produce, choosing public transport or walking, but she wanted a stronger, science-based understanding of climate change and practical ways to make a difference. Sara, too, had been living sustainably by becoming vegetarian, switching to an ethical bank, buying local and cycling. She wanted to see the bigger picture and understand the real impact of her daily choices.
The course revealed some surprising truths. Giulia recalls: “I realised that carbon itself is the real 'villain' of climate change. Every action we take, from sending emails to impulse buying and food shopping, produces carbon emissions - meaning we are both directly responsible and in control of our impact on the environment. Scientists have known climate change is man-made since the early 19th century; therefore, this is nothing new and we have always had the data to understand that some human actions or specific lifestyles have a negative impact on the environment.”
For Sara, the moment that hit hardest was seeing her own carbon footprint in numbers. “Four intercontinental flights in 2025 accounted for over 11,000 kg of CO₂, far outweighing the other sustainable choices I made. It showed me how certain choices have outsized impacts and where real changes are needed.”
Becoming Carbon Literate also strengthens RCP London Events’ sustainability mission. Giulia explains: “With this knowledge, we can now make informed, science-backed decisions and support the importance of measuring carbon emissions and impact. As a result, this can help us identify new ways to improve our operations.”
Sara adds: “It gives me the confidence to make informed decisions as part of our Venue Green Taskforce which is dedicated to evaluating our current efforts and creating green initiatives. Understanding the bigger picture allows us to dig deeper into our practices and ensure our efforts genuinely make a difference.”
Both have already taken meaningful steps through their pledges.
The impact of the course goes beyond numbers. Giulia reflects: “I’ve become far more conscious of my actions and their impact. Even small changes, like buying second-hand, being considerate with the number of emails we send or asking suppliers to use green energy, have a real effect and make you rethink your relationship with consumption.”
Sara agrees, encouraging others to be mindful of what they consume: “Even small steps, like researching whether a product comes from a sustainable and fair supply chain, add up over time and support companies doing the right thing,” she says.
To anyone considering Carbon Literacy, they both have one piece of advice: ‘go for it!’ Giulia says, “You don’t need to be perfect, but small conscious changes collectively have a huge impact.” Sara adds: “It’s about understanding how our daily choices affect the planet. The course reconnects you with what truly matters.”
At RCP London Events, we’re proud to commit to sustainability every day. Sustainability is a core pillar of our operations and we are determined to lead by example in tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Operating in a Grade I listed building presents unique challenges, from preserving its historic fabric to balancing modern efficiency demands, yet we continuously innovate to reduce our environmental impact. Our initiatives include:
We also measure success with clear results: as an organisation, we have ended our investment in fossil fuel companies in 2020 (two years ahead of our deadline), achieved an 80% recycling rate and run our facilities entirely on 100% green electricity and gas. Recognised with certifications such as the Carbon Trust Standard, ISO 14001 and ECOsmart Gold we demonstrate that sustainability and heritage can coexist.
Our future goals include enhancing building efficiency, utilising donated farmland to offset 550 - 600 tonnes of CO₂ annually and expanding recycling initiatives, all while engaging our Venue Green Taskforce to drive sustainable practices across every department. From team education to actionable pledges, we’re continuously learning and making choices that help reduce our carbon footprint one conscious decision at a time.
Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place
Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4LE
Registered charity no. 210508
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