New sustainability module to power Liverpool’s green events talent pipeline

New sustainability module to power Liverpool’s green events talent pipeline

Liverpool City Council is collaborating with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the sustainability organisation A Greener Future (AGF) to launch an innovative pilot training module. This programme aims to equip emerging professionals with the vital skills and knowledge required to promote sustainable practices within live events. Scheduled to commence in May, the initiative targets LJMU students, especially those studying subjects related to sports, media, film, and events, focusing on the environmental, social, and legal aspects involved in decarbonising live events.

This pilot forms an integral part of Liverpool’s broader legacy as the first city worldwide to become a UN Accelerator City for Climate Action. Delivered through the UN Climate Change’s Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) programme, the new training module seeks to incorporate the UN Accelerator City approach into Liverpool City Council’s standard operations. Building on the city’s global leadership in climate action, the Council is committed to ensuring that momentum from this initiative fosters long-term skills development, deepens partnerships, and results in tangible climate outcomes within the region.

The module, developed alongside A Greener Future—experts renowned globally for establishing the first sustainability standards for events—allows students to study critical topics such as environmental and social impacts of live events, relevant laws and policies, sustainable procurement, and carbon footprints stemming from travel, energy, food, waste, and water use. Additionally, the training covers circular systems, behaviour change, communication strategies, and introduces participants to AGF’s sustainability assessment framework. Upon successfully completing the module, students will receive an AGF Certificate of Completion, an industry-recognised credential that enhances their professional profile.

Liverpool envisions this programme as a key step toward cultivating a skilled workforce adept in sustainability, vital for sectors where the city has significant influence—such as live events, sports, culture, and media. The pilot’s success will be reviewed by Liverpool City Council, with the ambition to expand it to other universities in the region and eventually across the UK. Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, emphasised the importance of the initiative in translating climate ambitions into practical skills, stating, “This pilot module is about turning ambition into action — embedding sustainability skills into education, supporting young people into future focused careers, and ensuring our city continues to set the pace in delivering low carbon events.” Teresa Moore, Director of A Greener Future, expressed enthusiasm for contributing expertise to the project and praised the module as “a truly innovative way to support and develop the sustainability skills of the next generation of event, media and culture professionals.” Meanwhile, LJMU’s Prof Rachel McLean highlighted the collaboration as a prime example of how the university works closely with city leaders to address contemporary industry and societal challenges

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