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BESTIVAL Berlin: Sustainability Management

BESTIVAL 2023 visitBerlin, Foto: Mike Auerbach

Berlin is steadily evolving into one of Europe’s leading sustainable tourism and event destinations. The MICE festival BESTIVAL plays a pioneering role in this transformation: it is not only a showcase for creative event concepts, but also a living lab for sustainability in the event industry.

Mission Statement: Sustainability Management BESTIVAL 2025

At BESTIVAL, our commitment to sustainability is guided by a clear and ambitious vision. What began in 2023 with our first ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management has continued into 2025 – and beyond.

Because sustainability means more than just creating “green events”. It’s about acting responsibly across all dimensions – socially, economically, and societally – while embracing equality at every level.

Our Vision for BESTIVAL 2025

Sustainability Strategy – BESTIVAL 2025

The following sustainability goals will be implemented for BESTIVAL 2025:

Goal 1: ISO 20121 Certification

BESTIVAL is organised in accordance with the criteria of ISO 20121.


This internationally recognised certification is a voluntary standard for sustainable event management. The certification process for BESTIVAL involves an in-depth review of the event’s overall concept and implementation. This includes a range of measures, some of which are outlined in the following sections. The planning process is subject to external audits and assessed by independent bodies.

Goal 2: Transparency & evaluation

We actively communicate our sustainability strategies and their impact through our website, social media channels, and media relations. In doing so, we act as a role model and provide inspiration for organising and delivering sustainable business events in one of the world’s most innovative, sustainable, and reliable congress and event destinations.

Following the conclusion of BESTIVAL, we will also evaluate our sustainability report in order to gain valuable insights for the planning of future in-house events.

Goal 3: Reducing Environmental Impact

The aim of BESTIVAL 2025’s sustainability efforts is to reduce per capita CO₂ emissions by 10 per cent compared to BESTIVAL 2023.
Key contributing factors in achieving this target include the careful selection of sustainable catering and transport providers, responsible sourcing of materials, the arrival and departure of participants, and efficient on-site waste management.

Goal 4: Sustainable Partnerships

All BESTIVAL partners have committed to recognising the Code of Conduct and acting in accordance with the principles of sustainability. They are subject to the Supplier Check, ensuring that all participants engage exclusively with responsible and conscientious partners.

Goal 5: Sustainable Catering & Procurement

At BESTIVAL, guests will enjoy exclusively vegetarian catering, with dishes prepared using regional, seasonal, and Fair Trade-certified ingredients. All catering and delivery partners are carefully vetted in advance to ensure they meet strict environmental and social responsibility standards.

A key requirement for all partners is the exclusive use of materials and products that are recyclable or, ideally, reusable within a circular economy. This ensures that operations are carried out in the most resource-efficient way possible.

 

Goal 6: Diversity & Equality

Sustainability requires a holistic approach that also embraces social dimensions. BESTIVAL is actively committed to diversity and equality, including the aim of achieving at least 50 per cent gender balance.


 

Sustainability Management Guidelines for BESTIVAL

To clearly pursue our vision, we rely on a set of guiding principles.
Alongside our mission statement, we have developed our own strategic papers and recommended courses of action, which we are pleased to share free of charge with our partners and event planners. You’ll find a transparent overview of these documents below.

We take responsibility – for our environment and for the people who live in it.

For BESTIVAL 2025, this means acting with integrity and care in everything we do – in how we engage with our partners, how we treat the environment, how we interact with society, and how we consider economic sustainability.

 

To guide ourselves and all those involved in BESTIVAL 2025, we have developed a Code of Conduct. Signing and adhering to this document is mandatory for all participating stakeholders – from agencies and hotels to caterers and beyond.

This ensures that BESTIVAL 2025 is planned and delivered sustainably across all levels – in a way that is authentic, honest, and aligned with the needs of people, animals and the natural world.

 

In addition, the Sustainable Event Guidelines, developed by Sustainable Meetings Berlin, provide a key framework for planning BESTIVAL 2025. These guidelines cover 13 areas of action in which sustainability measures can be meaningfully implemented.

Code of Conduct of BESTIVAL
Bestival Masterclass 2024 visitBerlin, Foto: Mike Auerbach
Sustainable Event Guidelines
Bestival Sustainability 2024 Masterclass visitBerlin, Foto: Mike Auerbach

Would you also plan a sustainable event?

Just as we host BESTIVAL with sustainability in mind, you too can plan and hold your event in Berlin with a strong focus on sustainability. Our team at Sustainable Meetings Berlin will be happy to support you with expert advice.

Find out more about organising sustainable events

Your contact for sustainable event planning

Berlin Convention Office, Profilfoto Kyra Reiter

Kyra Reiter

Senior Marketing Manager Conventions
Sustainable Meetings Berlin

kyra.reiter@visitBerlin.de
+49 1577 26 47 525

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