Düsseldorf Congress

Sustainability aspects in event planning

Sustainability aspects are playing an increasingly important role in event planning. These include environmental topics such as energy use, mobility, waste prevention and resource use, as well as social and economic aspects.

Düsseldorf Congress supports event organisers in considering these topics at an early stage and in selecting suitable measures for each event. Which measures are appropriate and feasible depends, among other things, on the event format, number of participants, mobility concept, catering, technology and logistics.

 

Responsible event planning

Responsible event planning considers environmental, social and economic aspects together. The aim is to identify relevant impacts of an event at an early stage, assess measures to reduce avoidable impacts and make implementation transparent.

 

Environmental aspects
  • Waste prevention and reuse: Use of reusable products, recycling options and digital materials, where this is suitable and feasible for the respective event format.
  • Energy and water: Efficient use of energy and water, as well as assessment of suitable measures to reduce consumption.
  • Mobility: Information on travel options by public transport, bicycle, carpooling or other mobility options.
  • Procurement: Consideration of regional, seasonal, certified or reusable products and services, where suitable offers are available.
  • Financial contributions to climate protection projects: In addition to measures aimed at reducing avoidable emissions, event organisers may financially support climate protection projects. Such contributions should be presented transparently as additional engagement and clearly separated from emission reductions. Claims such as “climate-neutral”, “CO₂-neutral” or “compensated/offset” should not be derived from such contributions.
Economic aspects
  • Resource use and cost efficiency: Assessment of how resources can be used efficiently and how costs can be considered across the entire planning and event process.
  • Regional value creation: Consideration of regional suppliers and service providers, where suitable services are available and meet the requirements of the event.
  • Fair cooperation: Consideration of fair and reliable working and contractual conditions within the organiser’s own sphere of influence and with the service providers involved.
Social aspects
  • Inclusion and accessibility: Assessment of low-barrier access, technical support and suitable information services to make events accessible to as many people as possible.
  • Safety and wellbeing: Consideration of current safety concepts, emergency plans, hygiene requirements and organisational measures to protect participants, employees and service providers.
  • Information and awareness-raising: Opportunity to inform participants about relevant sustainability measures for the event, for example through on-site information, digital communication, information services or accompanying formats.

 

Management and communication

For credible sustainability communication, planned and implemented measures should be described clearly. This includes making transparent which areas of an event were considered, which measures are actually being implemented and which limitations apply.

Düsseldorf Congress supports event organisers in recording sustainability aspects in a structured way and integrating suitable measures into the planning process. Reliable communication should always be based on specifically implemented measures and available evidence.

Implementation and certification

Recognised standards and guidance documents can provide useful orientation for event organisers, for example ISO 20121 for sustainable event management or relevant environmental labels and industry guidance. They help structure requirements systematically, define responsibilities and document measures in a traceable way.

Düsseldorf Congress advises event organisers on suitable measures and supports the structured planning of events where sustainability aspects are to be considered. Whether and to what extent external standards or certifications should be included must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Our checklist for integrating sustainability measures into events

Our checklist supports event organisers in considering relevant sustainability aspects at an early stage. It includes practical review points on mobility, catering, energy, logistics and other areas of event planning. Some measures are already implemented by Düsseldorf Congress or can be reviewed jointly depending on the event.

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Topic areaMeasures
Mobility
    • Where possible, choose a venue that is easy to reach by public transport and supports short distances.
    • When planning the schedule, consider travel options by public transport for arrival and departure.
    • Provide participants with information on travel options at an early stage, for example public transport connections, cycling routes, parking options and directions.
    • Review incentives for using public transport, such as combined tickets or relevant information in the invitation.
    • Consider bicycle parking where this is available at the venue.
    • Review parking options for different user groups, for example people with disabilities, electric vehicles or car-sharing services.

etc.

Catering
    • Review the use of fairly traded or appropriately certified products and label them transparently.
    • Consider regional and seasonal food where suitable offers are available.
    • Where possible, offer vegetarian, vegan or other options for different dietary needs.
    • Label ingredients and allergens transparently and make this information easy to find.
    • Review concepts to prevent food waste, such as demand-based quantity planning, smaller portions with the option of replenishment, or redistribution of surplus food where this is permitted under hygiene and legal requirements.
    • Align portion sizes and serving quantities with the format, duration and number of participants of the event.

etc.

Energy and climate
    • Ensure appropriate heating and cooling of event rooms, taking into account comfort, energy efficiency and technical requirements.
    • Review whether electricity from renewable energy sources can be used for the event. If this is communicated externally, the origin, certification, period and scope should be verifiable.
    • Where possible, use energy-efficient IT equipment, printers and other technical equipment. Environmental labels such as the “Blue Angel” can provide orientation where the equipment used is certified accordingly.

etc.

Logistics
    • Where possible, use reusable or recyclable transport packaging to reduce waste.
    • Plan access routes, deliveries and the need for materials and goods as efficiently as possible.
    • Review whether materials, equipment or construction elements can be reused, rented or borrowed.
    • Consider suitable environmental and health-related criteria for materials and equipment where relevant evidence or product information is available.
    • Where possible, use digital invitations, registration processes and event documents to reduce printed materials.

etc.

Which of these points can be implemented for your event? Our full checklist helps you integrate sustainability aspects into the planning process in a structured way — from mobility and catering to energy, logistics and communication.

 

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Sustainability management according to ISO 20121

 

ISO 20121 is an international standard for sustainability management systems in the event sector. The standard was first published in 2012 and is now available in an updated version. It provides event organisers, venues and other stakeholders in the event industry with a structured framework for integrating environmental, social and economic aspects into the planning, delivery and follow-up of events.

The focus is not on making a blanket assessment of an event as “sustainable”, but on a management system: relevant impacts are to be identified, responsibilities defined, measures planned, implemented and reviewed, and improvements documented in a traceable way. This may include, among other things, resource use, mobility, waste prevention, supply chains, communication and the involvement of relevant stakeholders.

Applying ISO 20121 can support event organisers in managing sustainability aspects systematically and communicating them more transparently. Whether and to what extent an event or organisation meets the requirements of the standard or is certified must be assessed on a case-by-case basis and substantiated by appropriate evidence.

 

Sustainability management at Düsseldorf Congress

Unsere Räumlichkeiten

Selected measures, standards and voluntary commitments:

  • Green Globe certification of the CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf
  • Implementation of a sustainability code in event and operational management
  • Signing of the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge in October 2021
  • Measures to reduce CO₂ emissions in defined operational areas
  • Measures to reduce electricity consumption in defined operational areas
  • Procurement of 100% certified renewable electricity for event operations and selected ancillary areas
  • Truck routing/guidance concept for managing delivery and traffic flows
  • Partnership in the Düsseldorf Climate Pact
Unsere Räumlichkeiten
Safety, environmental and climate protection as well as energy efficiency are addressed within our management approach. We therefore work to use resources more consciously in building operations and event logistics, reduce consumption in defined areas and continuously develop our processes.

To support this approach, we have already implemented the following measures:

  • Energy efficiency in building operations: New buildings and modernisation measures for exhibition halls and heating systems have included measures aimed at improving energy efficiency.
  • Renewable energy: Düsseldorf Congress has used photovoltaic systems since 2009. The amount of electricity generated is documented internally on the basis of system data.

  • CO₂ reduction: Measures in the areas of heating energy, photovoltaics, combined heat and power and energy management have reduced CO₂ emissions in defined operational areas. The underlying calculations relate to defined reference values and system boundaries.

  • Electromobility: A vehicle pool with electric and hybrid vehicles is available to employees.

  • Green Globe certification: The CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf was awarded Green Globe certification in 2010, 2012, 2015 and annually from 2020 to 2024. Information on the current status, term and scope should be verified against the valid certificate.

 

Green Globe Gold Zertifikat - Düsseldorf Congress GmbH

 

Mehr zu Nachhaltigkeit bei Düsseldorf Congress

FAQ:

Düsseldorf Congress provides a comprehensive checklist with recommendations for planning, organising and delivering events that consider sustainability aspects. It covers, among other things, the following areas:

  • Mobility
  • Catering
  • Communication
  • Waste management
  • Energy and logistics

In addition, Düsseldorf Congress supports event organisers in selecting suitable measures and advises on which sustainability aspects are appropriate and feasible for the respective event format.

The CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf has been awarded Green Globe certification several times — most recently with Gold status. The certification assesses, among other things:

  • environmental criteria
  • social aspects
  • economic management

The certification relates to sustainability management within the certified scope. The current certification status, term and exact scope are set out in the valid certificate.

Mobility is an important element of event planning. Düsseldorf Congress recommends that event organisers provide information on travel options at an early stage and — depending on the event — review suitable measures, for example:

  • information on the use of public transport
  • combined tickets for admission and public transport
  • bicycle parking
  • parking spaces for electric vehicles
  • car-sharing options

These options help participants compare different travel options and make an informed choice.

Yes. Düsseldorf Congress procures 100% certified renewable electricity for event operations at the CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf. This also applies to ancillary areas such as offices, foyers and technical control centres.

This statement relates exclusively to electricity procurement in these areas. Other emission sources of an event, such as travel, catering, logistics, material use or overnight stays, are not included.