What is sustainable event planning?
Conserving natural resources, saving energy and rethinking approaches. In planning events, companies and organisers can significantly contribute to climate protection – and not just by strict regulations, constraints or proscriptions. Quite the contrary. From paperless invitations to a Velotaxi shuttle service or organic catering, Berlin event services and partners offer many innovative ideas for sustainable meetings, incentives, conventions and events in Germany’s capital city. From the very first steps to the realisation of a successful green event in Berlin, Sustainable Meetings Berlin supports event planners with a network of sustainable partners, green tips and creative ideas.
Sustainable planning – that’s the way to do it!
For event planning, this means concretely: each event should leave the minimum footprint possible and ideally even create value-added. What’s more, this applies to the ecological and economic aspects, just as much as the social components. In this sense, companies planning events are not only asked to consider measures to minimise waste or carbon emissions, but also to take on social responsibility – for example, through accessibility and gender mainstreaming policies or such sustainable event formats as MEET+CHANGE.
Sustainability in Berlin’s event sector – strong partners and good ideas
Germany’s capital city has a strong network of sustainable event services and is constantly developing new creative approaches – an ideal location for green events taking ecological, economic and social aspects into account. To support your efficient and eco-friendly conferences, congresses, meetings or incentives in the city, Sustainable Meetings Berlin brings together businesses and event organisers with certified and sustainable partners – from locations to caterers, transport services and hotels. Here, we have collected some tips and ideas to help you plan your events with a good conscience from the outset.
Whether it's a venue, caterer, transportation provider, or hotel, Sustainable Meetings Berlin connects businesses and event planners with certified, sustainable partners to help make your meetings, conferences, and incentives more efficient and eco-friendly. The focus of event organization is on developing long-term concepts, building sustainable structures, and implementing environmentally friendly processes.
Integrating sustainable elements into every aspect of event management is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring long-term sustainability. Our industry is constantly seeking new ways to make events even more sustainable. We place special emphasis on defining clear measures within overarching concepts that are not just sustainable in the short term, but also long term.
Tip: Our Sustainable Event Guidelines, for example, serve as a guide to help you plan your event with a clear conscience—from the initial idea to the final evaluation.
Measuring sustainability – how does that work?
When one event closes, the next is already being planned. Through positive feedback on sustainability goals achieved, event planners give important impulses to other organisers. Such information can best be communicated in a comprehensive sustainability report on measures and impacts. But what would this look like?
As early as 2014, the EU ratified its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Guidelines. In Germany in 2017, these Guidelines were given legal force in a CSR reporting law to improve corporate transparency in areas of social and ecological responsibility in larger companies listed on the stock market as well as banks and insurance companies (with a workforce of over 500 employees). As a result, those companies affected by the EU Guidelines are required to provide details on their progress in environmental, workforce-related and social issues, as well as how they support human rights and the fight again corruption.
Tip: Accreditation and quality marks such as the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), a premium management instrument developed by the EU, or the ISO 14001 standard for an environmental management system help companies in their duty to report and heighten awareness of their commitment to sustainability and CSR, both externally and internally. In addition, for event planners such quality marks provide an important reference point for cooperation with service partners and event services.
For planning and organising green events, Sustainable Meetings Berlin’s online platform offers event organisers an overview of transparent, independent and verifiably certified partners in Berlin and a strong network for sustainable event services.
Background: EU Legislation
In 2014, the EU adopted a Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (commonly known as the CSR Directive). Since 2017, this directive, implemented in Germany as the CSR Directive Implementation Act, has required larger publicly listed companies, as well as banks and insurance companies (with over 500 employees), to meet expanded reporting requirements for greater transparency regarding ecological and social responsibility.
Measures: Sustainability Certificates and Seals
Seals and certifications like the European system EMAS or ISO 14001 for environmental management help companies fulfill their reporting obligations by making their sustainable and social commitment visible both externally and internally. On the other hand, certificates offer valuable guidance for event planners when working with service partners and event service providers.
Support: Sustainable Meetings Berlin
Sustainable Meetings Berlin is our initiative that brings together expertise and experience in sustainability for the city of Berlin.
It provides event organizers with an overview of transparent, independent, and verifiable certified partners in Berlin for planning and organizing Green Events through its online platform, and it represents a strong network of sustainable event service providers.
We also gladly assist you with CO2e accounting for your event.
The Sustainable Meetings Berlin initiative provides event organizers with an overview of transparently, independently, and verifiably certified partners in Berlin for planning and organizing Green Events through its online platform. It represents a strong network of sustainable event service providers.
The principle is: After the event is before the event! Get expert support for the design and planning of your sustainable event in Berlin!
We are happy to support you!
Sustainable Meetings Berlin offers a wealth of information about sustainability as well as the chance to contact suitable sustainable partners and event services – helping turn “green ideas” into sustainable events, congresses or conferences, and supporting green meetings and incentives in Germany’s capital city.
Like to know more? Just email us at sustainable-berlin@visitBerlin.de.
Sustainable Meetings Berlin: Services at a glance
What types of events does Sustainable Meetings Berlin support?
Sustainable Meetings Berlin supports a wide range of events that focus on sustainability. From conferences and meetings to large-scale events and other business or social gatherings, we offer support for any event format looking to integrate sustainable practices and processes.
Our goal is to help organizers plan and conduct environmentally friendly events in Berlin, providing them with a robust network of sustainable partners. This includes incorporating green technologies, sustainable materials, or promoting eco-friendly venues.
How does Sustainable Meetings Berlin support the development of sustainable conference formats?
Sustainable Meetings Berlin supports the development of sustainable conference formats by offering comprehensive consulting and expertise. We work closely with organizers to generate innovative ideas that focus on sustainability.
We provide practical advice, resources, and best practices to make conferences not only effective but also sustainable. Our network of certified partners and our specialized knowledge help organizers plan and execute conferences with a low environmental impact.
Get in touch now & plan sustainable events!
Still haven't found the perfect location for your sustainable event?
Whether it's a conference, congress, meeting, or incentive, you can easily find the right venue in the Meeting Guide Berlin, or contact us directly! The Berlin Convention Office is here to provide you with professional advice and local expertise on event options, dates, and information for planning sustainable events!
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