Green Events Certification Program

Green events logo

The Green Events program provides guidance and resources to improve the sustainability of events on the UW–Madison campus. The program aims to reduce the environmental impacts of events by focusing on six major categories: Venue, Décor, Communications, Transportation, Food, and Waste. 

For more information, please contact greenevents@g-groups.wisc.edu

The Green Events team smiling in front of greenery outside.
The Green Events Intern team for 2026-2027: Gao Kou Yang, Victoria Petrina, Veda Poranki, RoseMary Greany, Caroline Arciszewski, Amanda Sadowski

Certification Checklist

Begin by completing the Green Event certification survey checklist to evaluate your event’s current sustainability score.

Take the Survey

There are four possible certification levels based on your score: 

  • Bronze (50-65%)
  • Silver (65-80%)
  • Gold (80%+)
  • Platinum (Gold certification & two Platinum Checklist action items)

If you’re unsure about any of the questions, please leave them blank or utilize the notes spaces provided to communicate any uncertainties or additional questions you might have for our team. We’re here to help!

If you need assistance with specific checklist items or are aiming for platinum certification, please reach out to us at greenevents@g-groups.wisc.edu.

After completion of this survey, a member of the Green Events team will reach out to discuss next steps in the certification process.

Resources

    Learn more about LEED-certified buildings on campus

    For more information on sustainable transportation options in Madison, check out bike paths and bus routes

    For catering ideas, check out this list of sustainable vendors in the Madison area

    For questions on what is recyclable, check out the UW–Madison Zero Waste Compass guide

    For more information on hosting an accessible event, checkout this Office of Compliance guide

2025-2026 Academic Year Green Events

Platinum

  • Convocation Lunch, University Housing – 2025
  • Sustain-a-Bash Showcase, Office of Sustainability and Housing Sustainability – 2025
  • Sustainability Symposium, Office of Sustainability and Nelson Institute – 2025

Gold

  • Nelson Rendezvous , Nelson Institute – 2025
  • Harvest Fest, The People’s Farm – 2025
  • Sustainability Social, Office of Sustainability – 2025
  • Landscape and Urban Studies Career Connector, Wisconsin Urban Planning Association – 2026
  • Green Offices Go Outside, Office of Sustainability – 2026
  • Earth Fest Forum, Nelson Institute – 2026
  • Sustainability Roundtable, Office of Sustainability – 2026
  • CEE Symposium, Center for Ecology and the Environment – 2026

Silver

  • E-Bash, College of Engineering (WESC) – 2025
  • 2026 Banquet, UW–Madison Chapter of Engineers Without Borders – 2026
  • Spring Fest, The People’s Farm – 2026
  • Sustainability Social, Office of Sustainability – 2026

Bronze

  • Engineering Open House, College of Engineering – 2025
  • NRI Fall Meeting, Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute – 2025
  • KidWind, Wisconsin Energy Institute – 2026
  • Arboretum Family Nature Program: Love the Earth, UW Arboretum – 2026
  • Student Employment Summer Summit, Office of Student Financial Aid – 2026
  • Study Abroad Fair, International Academic Programs – 2026

Past Green Events

About Our Work

Green Events poster presentation for the Sustainability Symposium

The Green Events team was accepted to present a poster for the fifth annual UW–Madison Sustainability Symposium hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. 

The Green Events team strives to advance the Three Pillars of Sustainability in every certified event

Outline of a plant growing out of a hand

Environmental Sustainability: practices that keep our ecosystems healthy and protect natural resources for future generations

Outline of a hand with a dollar sign above

Economic Sustainability: practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community

Outline of a handshake in the shape of a heart

Social Sustainability: practices that support socially sustainable communities, which are equitable, diverse, connected, and democratic, and provide a good quality of life