Evolve is ESSA Level 4 accredited
31 October 2025
We've Achieved ESSA Level 4 Sustainability Accreditation
We are really pleased to share that we've been awarded ESSA Level 4 Sustainability Accreditation.
What is ESSA Accreditation?
ESSA's Sustainability Accreditation is an independent assessment that looks at how companies actually handle sustainability, not just what they say they do. It covers 12 different areas including energy management, waste reduction, carbon footprinting, sustainable procurement, equality and diversity, and community support.
The scoring is pretty straightforward: you submit evidence of what you're doing, independent evaluators assess it, and you get a score out of 100. There are six levels in total, and we've scored 87 to hit Level 4, which covers scores between 70-89 points. Level 5 is the top tier and starts at 90 points, so we're getting close, which gives us something clear to aim for next time round.
Why It Matters to Us
There's a lot of greenwashing out there, and we wanted third-party verification of our sustainability efforts because saying you care about the environment is easy, but proving it is a different thing entirely. The ESSA framework aligns with ISO standards and requires proper documentation and evidence, which means you can't just talk a good game.
Going through this process has made us look properly at what we're doing well and where we genuinely need to improve, and that clarity has been really valuable for us as a team. We're a small design agency, which means everyone plays a part in how we operate day-to-day, and getting this external perspective has helped us focus our efforts where they matter most.
How We Got Here
Our Head of Process and Compliance, Elizabeth Leese, has led the charge on getting our sustainability practices properly embedded and documented across the business. Her work has been essential in achieving this accreditation, and we're grateful for the dedication she's brought to it.
The assessment covered everything from our energy use and waste management to how we source materials, support our community, and ensure equality across our work. Each area needed concrete evidence, not just promises or plans, but actual proof of what we're doing. It's been a thorough process, but that's exactly why the accreditation carries weight.
What Happens Next
The accreditation is annual, which means we'll be reassessed each year, and that's actually helpful because it keeps us accountable and gives us regular checkpoints to measure our improvement over time. Scoring 87 means we're three points off Level 5, and while we're not obsessing over the number, it does give us a clear target to work towards and helps us prioritize where to focus our energy.
We're proud of what we've achieved so far, but we also know that sustainability isn't a destination. It's ongoing work that requires constant attention and improvement. This accreditation gives us a solid framework to keep building on, year after year, and we're committed to making continued progress as we go forward.
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Electronica in Munich is one of the biggest dates in the tech exhibition calendar, and in 2024 we delivered what turned out to be one of the standout spaces at the show for our fantastic client, Analog Devices. We set the bar high for 2024 and with Electronica 2026 coming around fast, we're talking to our Creative Director, Richard Bartlett, about what makes a great exhibition space at a show like this. Tech show audiences are different. They're not browsing, they're evaluating. Engineers, procurement leads and product specialists who have come specifically to compare, interrogate and decide. A stand that works at a consumer show won't necessarily work at Electronica or Embedded World and understanding that difference is where good exhibition design starts. So what does work? Clarity of proposition . Visitors should understand within seconds what you do and why it matters to them. Busy show floors are unforgiving and if your messaging requires effort, most people won't bother. Functional, interactive demonstrations . At a tech show, people want to see products working, not just described. Demo zones need to be designed around the experience of using something rather than simply displaying it - intuitive, engaging, and staffed by people who know the product inside out. Space to have a real conversation . The best tech stands balance open, accessible zones with quieter areas where meaningful dialogue can happen. The demo that impresses is only useful if there's somewhere to follow it up. Practical hospitality . A coffee and somewhere to sit might sound simple, but at a long show day it matters more than you'd think. Hospitality that feels considered rather than bolted on keeps people on your stand longer and leaves a much better impression. Credibility in the details . At a tech show, the quality of your stand is part of your brand story. Poor finishes, bad lighting or a layout that feels like an afterthought sends a message you probably don't intend. Reusability built in from the start . The brands that show up consistently and confidently across multiple shows tend to think about their stand as a long-term asset rather than a one-off expense. Evolve have been delivering stands at Electronica, Embedded World and across the global tech exhibition calendar for years. If you're planning for November, now is the time to start that conversation. Have a look at some of our previous work in this sector here .
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