Germany leads the way in sustainability and green meetings

Germany leads the way in sustainability and green meetings

Frankfurt/Main, 12 May 2011. In the field of sustainability Germany is one of the world“s leading nations. This expertise is also one of the major competitive advantages of the German meetings and conventions sector. Not only companies in the environment sector but also many companies in other industries have realised that sustainable policies boost their image and offer strong economic advantages. Resource and climate-friendly events additionally serve as a major showcase and source of knowledge.

For some years the German Convention Bureau (GCB) and the European Association of Event Venues (EVVC) have been spearheading green meetings. In late May 2010 the industry associations decided to join forces in their sustainability commitments. With concerted action and events they put green meetings into the focus of the industry and public attention.

Germany one of the world“s key locations for environmental technology
Germany has the largest market world-wide in virtually all fields of environmental technology and is one of the key locations of the industry. It is number one in the field of renewable energies, which have been a success story in the last few years combining environmental protection with economic growth. According to Germany Trade & Invest the German wind energy industry is the world“s largest and sets standards for research and development. Especially on the Baltic and North Sea coasts wind farms play an increasingly major role in energy production. This May German chancellor Angela Merkel opened the first commercially run wind farm on the Baltic coast: 16 kilometres from the coast 21 wind turbines generate electricity for around 50,000 households. In 2013 construction will start on a second, even larger, wind farm off the coast of Rügen.

In the field of solar thermal energy Germany is one of the leading countries world-wide and has the largest European market by a wide margin. The country has become a number one location in the field of energy storage and fuel cell technology.

Sustainability strategy of the German government
„Not living at the expense of people in other regions of the earth or at the expense of future generations here and today.“ This definition of sustainability was adopted by the German government in 2002 as part of its national „Outlook for Germany“ sustainability strategy. The strategy paper developed visions for the future based on four guidelines – generation fairness, quality of life, social cohesion and international responsibility – and it established target figures that need to be revised every two years.

According to the latest indicator report 2010 of the German Statistics Office the environment goals have been successfully fulfilled by reducing greenhouse gases and increasing renewable energies. In addition, the specified goals were met well before the set deadline.

This development is supported by the Priority of Renewable Energies Act that was drafted in 2000 and has been amended repeatedly since then. It sets a good example for the rest of Europe.

Hamburg: European Green Capital
The Hanseatic city of Hamburg is also showing a very successful commitment to environment and climate protection: The metropolis has won the title of European Green Capital from the European Commission. 34 cities from 37 countries had competed for the title. Among the eight cities that were shortlisted there were three German candidates.

The point was not just to show the city“s „beautiful“ or „green“ sides. It was more important that the cities should offer answers to existing environmental problems and challenges. Hence, the jurors in Hamburg emphasised the successful connection between economic development and environmental protection. One of the quoted examples was the Harbour City – a landmark of Hamburg“s commitment to sustainable urban development.

For all of this year Hamburg, as the European Green Capital, will draw attention to possible solutions for the environmental problems of cities. The full programme with tours, exhibitions, lectures, dialogue events, films, competitions and many creative ideas is available for download on www.umwelthaupstadt.hamburg.de.

The convention, meeting, event and incentive business has realised the need for sustainable events and is looking for common solutions
The fact that the German meeting, incentive, congress and event sector (MICE) is aware of sustainable action and climate protection, became apparent in the greenmeetings and events conference, which was jointly organised by the GCB and EVVC in Mainz this March. Around 400 attendees from all segments of the industry discussed the importance of sustainability for the German meeting and convention business for two days. Implemented by the organisers two weeks later on the Internet, the first virtual tie-in event for the conference reached another 200 registered attendees.

An online documentation to boost the sustainable impact of the conference will still be available for free download without registration until mid-March 2012 on http://greenmeetings.meta-fusion.com/. There you will find select lectures as a comfortable webcast with speaker videos and synchronised presentations.

In their lectures experts from the fields of business, research and politics used hands-on examples to show how events can be made more sustainable and clarified Germany“s leading position in the field of sustainability and renewable energies.

Key note speaker Jürgen Trittin, parliamentary group leader of the German Green party and former environment minister, pointed out that sustainability is a well-anchored topic in the population and emphasised: „Sustainable meetings could be our major asset.“

A further key note speaker of the greenmeetings and events conference, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker sees the fact that important raw materials are becoming ever cheaper as an „invitation to squander“ and concludes: „The solution would be: emission rights on a per capita basis. The north would then have to buy emission rights from the south, which would make it profitable not to build a coal power plant in India.“ Sustainability and environmental protection are topics that run though the CV of the scientist, politician, university professor and author like a common thread. He is currently co-president of the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management. This panel is an international scientific institution under the roof of UN Environment Programme and it collects facts on the impacts of exploitation of renewable and non-renewable resources.

Holger Leisewitz“ workshop showed what an important topic green meetings are for the companies. The Conference & Event Manager of Beiersdorf AG presented an internal catalogue of sustainable criteria which the group use to rate particularly sustainable meeting hotels as possible venues for corporate events.

The attendees of the physical greenmeetings and events conference already represented all segments of the sector. Around one-third were suppliers: 24 per cent of guests represented convention centres and event venues, seven per cent were from city marketing organisations and six per cent from the hotel sector. Another third of the visitors represented the buyer side: 24 per cent represented companies, seven per cent associations and six per cent universities and institutions. Another 13 per cent of attendees represented agencies, eleven per cent were journalists. And the organisers addressed a wide circle of people by their online documentation for the conference.

How to stage a sustainable meeting
But the greenmeetings and events conference not only offered theoretical information on the topic but set a good example as a green meeting itself: Thanks to a strict sustainability concept the conference used only 34 tons of CO2 – eleven tons or approx. 24 per cent less than a hypothetical „normal“ event. The conference was awarded the GreenNote by the mygreenmeeting.de network for its exemplary realisation.

GCB and EVVC take responsibility
To anchor the topic of green meetings in the industry and in the social dialogue, The GCB and EVVC are reinforcing their role as green meeting pioneers with a variety of initiatives: Both associations are represented in the German sustainable event committee of a new project for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Until the 2012 Olympics in London a new ISO standard 20121 will be introduced for green event management.

The GCB offers practical support for staging green meetings on its website www.germany-meetings.com. There you can find a CO2 Calculator for events and an overview of existing certificates. In addition, the GCB is a member of the mygreenmeeting.de platform. The network offers specific and hands-on advice and support especially for event planners, agencies and congress and meeting organisers on how to organise and implement green events.

The EVVC headquarters successfully completed the audit of the renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC) organisation in July 2010 and is hence the first association in Germany with a Green Globe certificate. Certification of the GCB headquarters is now under way and will be completed in the next few weeks.

Green commitment of IMEX fair
As the strategic partner, the GCB supports IMEX – incorporating Meetings made in Germany – the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events. Since its launch nine years ago IMEX has been committed to environmental protection and presents many top-notch green awards every year. Further green initiatives of IMEX, based on its close co-operation with the GCB make „green meetings“ a very important topic for the worldwide meetings, conventions and events industry.

The next IMEX will take place from 24 to 26 May 2011 in hall 8 of Messe Frankfurt. As part of the free GCB Seminar Days Meetings made in Germany – presented by IMEX & the German Convention Bureau – well-known experts of the industry will also inform visitors about how to stage green meetings. Stephan Krug, Managing Director of Viabono GmbH, was asked by the GCB to speak about the marketing options, successes and pitfalls in the field of sustainability for associations. „Green Deal Done?“ asks Boris Preckwitz, owner and executive consultant of capability public relations, and shows how companies can credibly communicate their own „green agenda“. Christoph Harrach, founder of the eco-lifestyle news portal karmakonsum.de, will speak about „green“ trends in the buying behaviour of LOHAS, which stands for „lifestyles of health and sustainability“ and designates people who opt for healthy and green consumption choices.

In total, the GCB offers all visitors 15 free seminars on the latest topics of the meetings and event industry. They are all held by approved experts and have a hands-on concept: Best practice examples take priority over theoretical statements. On www.imex-frankfurt.de visitors can now register free of charge for IMEX 2011 and download the detailed seminar programme.

Excellent standards for venues in Germany
25 members and partners of the EVVC and GCB have already received Green Globe Certification (GGC), including 23 businesses in Germany. Another eleven have applied.

The darmstadtium in Hessen is a case in point. The science and congress centre in Darmstadt can supply the building almost 100% with renewable energy sources using geothermal, biomass and solar energy. In late 2010 it was awarded the Green Globe eco-label.

Many more event venues are staging the green meetings of the highest level. Opened in April 2011, the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG) at Schloss Montabaur in the Westerwald region is the first venue in Germany to realise complete energetic independence thanks to the use of cutting-edge technologies. The ICE station at the foot of the castle offers fast and green access by rail.

Attendees of large meetings and events can travel there completely CO2-free on the Umwelt-Plus event ticket of Deutsche Bahn. Depending on the occasion, the railway offers tailor-made and individual solutions.

In the German capital the Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz has been setting new standards in sustainability since October 2010. It is the first hotel in Germany to win the EU ecolabel and the silver medal for sustainable construction. The hotel uses 100% renewable energy, low-energy bulbs throughout, and district heating and district cooling to lower consumption.

To give this process their on-going support the GCB and EVVC agreed to cooperate with Green Globe in early 2011. EVVC and GCB members benefit from this by price reductions and lower auditor charges.

Sustainability is one of the most urgent topics of our day. Aligning one“s own actions to ecological aspects is essential in times of ever scarcer resources and rising environmental awareness in society.

In the field of sustainability Germany is one of the leading nations worldwide. The event industry has also reacted to the new challenges and given its meeting venues and events a more sustainable focus. Ensuring a green organisation and implementation of events is one of the key tasks of the industry.

In future the GCB and EVVC want to define sustainability even more broadly. For example, social topics like CSR, employee comfort and compliance are to be integrated in the discussion in order to reinforce Germany“s position as a meetings destination in these fields, as well.

GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.

The German Convention Bureau (GCB), based in Frankfurt, markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events and incentives both on a national and international level, and is the place to contact for all customers who are planning events in Germany.

Its 230 members include leading hotels, convention centres and destinations, car hire firms, event agencies and service providers of the German meetings and conventions industry. The darmstadtium science and convention centre, Maritim Hotels and the SevenCenters of Germany are Preferred Partners of the GCB. As Strategic Partners, Deutsche Lufthansa, Deutsche Bahn and the German National Tourist Board (DZT) support the work of the GCB.

The GCB is an interface between organisers of meetings and conventions and suppliers of the German meetings market, offers advice and support for planning and organising events, and provides contacts and addresses. Its website www.germany-meetings.com features an online search facility for meeting venues, newsletter, Germany guide, and a lot more.

GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.
Münchener Str. 48
60329 Frankfurt/Main
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)69 – 24 29 30 0
Fax: +49 (0)69 – 24 29 30 26
E-mail: info@gcb.de
Internet: www.germany-meetings.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCB_Germany

Press contact: Ute Stegmann, tel: +49 69 – 24 29 30 13, E-Mail: stegmann@gcb.de

European Association of Event Centres (EVVC)
The European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) represents over 600 event and convention centres, arenas and special event venues of all sizes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and further neighbouring European countries.

Besides these venues, which are currently represented by 317 member companies, personal members from the event industry, honorary members and around 70 partner companies support the wide diversity of the association“s work and make the EVVC the most versatile communication network of the industry.

The major aims of the association are, for example, to advance education and training within the industry, create industry-specific indicators and to communicate with German politicians representing the interests of the event industry.

European Association of Event Centres
(EVVC) e.V.
Ludwigstraße 3
61348 Bad Homburg v.d.H.
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)6172 – 2796900
Fax: +49 (0)6172 – 2796909
E-mail: info@evvc.org
www.evvc.org

Press contact: Antje Münsterberg, tel. +49 6734 914801; E-mail: presse@evvc.org

GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.
Ute Stegmann
Münchener Str. 48
60329 Frankfurt
stegmann@gcb.de
+49 69 – 24293013
http://www.gcb.de