AGF utilises an international network of 200 accredited assessors across 30 countries.

All assessors are trained and accredited through AGF’s assessor training programme.

They provide independent assessment and feedback on the sustainability practices, progress and performance of events, venues and suppliers, whilst adhering to AGF’s Assessor Code of Conduct.

AGF Recognises the importance of carrying out our assessment and certification services in an impartial and independent manner.

• Preserving our objectivity and independence by identifying and avoiding conflicts of interest is fundamental to maintaining the trust of applicants, stakeholders and all interested parties.

• AGF has established strict internal policies and procedures that identify and address any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

• AGF assessments are undertaken by independent environmental assessors who have completed all required AGF training. 

• All AGF assessors are required to agree to the AGF Code of Conduct which requires assessors to maintain complete independence from the applicant and to declare to AGF any actual or potential conflict of interest.

• AGF does not allow assessors to assess an event, venue, or organisation for which they have previously or currently worked for or to whom they have provided consultancy.

• Receiving consultancy or advisory support from A Greener Future in no way whatsoever guarantees the receipt of any AGF certification, which in every case is independently audited and assessed.

• AGF will only offer a combination of services where a clear separation and independence of personnel and working practices can be clearly established. Any consultancy work performed by AGF staff is kept separate from auditing or assessment activities completed by independent environmental assessors.

To ensure that the methodology remains relevant, robust and aligned with evolving best practice, the AGF Framework, assessment criteria and scoring methodology are reviewed annually.

The review process incorporates input from an advisory committee comprising relevant environmental, sustainability, legal and industry expertise. This ensures that the framework continues to reflect developments in environmental best practice, legislation, and the changing needs and nature of the events, venues and organisations in the live sector.

The EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo) strengthens consumer protection by tackling misleading environmental claims and unverified sustainability labels. From 27 September 2026, consumer facing communications in the EU may only use sustainability labels based on credible, independently verified certification schemes or public authorities.

EmpCo applies to how sustainability labels are communicated to consumers through websites, marketing materials and promotional communications.

The directive requires that sustainability labels must be provided by a third party verification scheme: this means that a business or company cannot use a self-created label or self-made claim for its own products.

The verification scheme must:

• Be open, transparent, and fair to all willing to apply and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements.

• Developed by the scheme owners in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders.

• Monitor compliance with the scheme through an objective procedure by an independent and competent third party.

• Have mechanisms for dealing with non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements, and provisions for the withdrawal or suspension of use of the label in case of non-compliance

• Not rely on claims of carbon offsets.

• AGF certification is a voluntary certification scheme, providing a label acting as a trust mark that aims to set apart and promote a business or event by reference to its environmental or social characteristics. 

• The AGF certification is not self-declared, and the AGF labels (A Greener Festival, A Greener Event, A Greener Venue, A Greener Arena) and associated label scores (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Emerald) can only be used by venues or events who have successfully completed the assessment process. The labels are valid for one year, and a previously dated stamp may remain visible as evidence of historical certification, provided that it is not represented as a current certification. Data-driven renewal assessments are available after one year, allowing the events or venue to maintain their current certification level. Achieving a higher label score is not possible without completing a full assessment. 

• The AGF Certification is open to all, with a tiered pricing mechanism based on event or venue, capacity and size, making the certification accessible to smaller events, venues and companies. The AGF certification is not limited to geographical regions, and has assessed and certified events and venues in over 30 different countries and 5 continents. Details regarding the AGF framework structure, criteria, scores, and regarding the certification process are available on the AGF Website [links]. The list of Certified events and venues can be found here.

• The AGF Certification and its labels have been developed over 20 years, with input from, and in consultation with,  industry practitioners, environmental scientists, and relevant experts and professionals. The AGF framework and certification is reviewed annually by an independent Certification Advisory Board to ensure fitness for purpose, latest knowledge and best practices.

• The AGF Certification requires an assessment of submitted documentation, evidence, and a mandatory on-site audit by accredited assessors. Assessors are sustainability or event professionals who have completed the AGF Assessor training and accreditation. They provide third party verification of an event or venue's submissions, performance, and that the relevant certification criteria have been met.
  AGF certification and its relevant label is only awarded if the event or venue achieves an overall score of over 45%, with specific label grades assigned based on higher scores. Further detail on certification criteria and grades are available here. The AGF certification does not rely on claims of carbon offset or carbon neutrality. It relies on actual and evidenced operational performance, and assesses again criteria and indicators covering sustainable planning, resource use, procurement, environmental performance, social impact, and reporting. Further information on the specific assessment criteria can be found here [link]

• The AGF certification has clear rules around non-compliance and suspension, cancellation, and events or venues applying for certification are required to adhere to the AGF Code of Conduct.