How our venues are reducing their carbon footprint
Our venue teams take sustainability seriously. We work closely with our own events teams and guest organisers to reduce carbon impact wherever we can. Energy conservation. Sustainable catering practices. Infrastructural advancements. We cover all bases to take care of our planet.
Our Net Zero Roadmap has set concrete emission reduction targets for all our venue teams. Together, we’re focusing on four priority areas. Take a look.
Becoming energy efficient
We admit, our targets aren’t easy. We’ve committed to halving emissions from our energy consumption by 2030.
And we’re determined to make that happen.
Upping renewable energy usage
If you’ve seen our venues, you’ll know they have large roofs. We’ve taken advantage of this space by installing solar panels at Gorinchem, Antwerp Expo, as well as Flanders Expo. Adding to this, our venues in Sweden and the Netherlands (effective 2024) are powered entirely by green electricity. While Malmömassan uses geothermal heating.
We have taken the bold step of committing significant investment to ensure that, by the end of 2024, 100% of our venue’s electricity will be sourced from renewable energy. This decision, while costly, reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Streamlining and reducing energy consumption
Energy reduction plans are the norm across all our venues and offices:
- Our Gorinchem and Hardenberg venues now have an A-energy rating.
- We’ve installed LEDs in Antwerp Expo, Nekkerhal Brussels North, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmömassan, Kistamassan – and Flanders Expo by April 2024.
- We carried out energy audits in all our Belgian venues and put the recommendations into action. This resulted in Flanders Expo saving 100,000 cubic meters of gas in one year alone.
Our key achievements since 2018 across our venues
-37%
energy-related CO₂ emissions
-26%
of electricity consumption
-37%
waste-related CO₂ emissions
54%
of the electricity is from renewable sources
More sustainable travel and accommodation
When it comes to accommodation and transport, we’re developing a green mobility infrastructure and helping our attendees choose sustainable transport. Here are a few ways we’re making a difference.
EV charging stations and bicycle parking
We’re installing more EV charging stations and bicycle parking at our venues and offices. We now have 50 charging points at Flanders Expo, plus extra stations at Antwerp Expo, Gorinchem, and Hardenberg.
Public or green transport
We encourage attendees to travel to our events on public or green transport.
We also outline how their choices impact the environment.
Working with local authorities
We’re talking to local authorities about introducing new and optimised sustainable transport options at our venues. Especially where there aren’t enough options today.
Sustainable hotel partners
We only promote hotel partners that have sustainable policies.
Reducing our waste
We know the impact of our operations extends well beyond our exhibition halls, particularly in terms of waste generation. Together with our event teams and guest organisers, we’re doing a lot to reduce waste across all events. Think reusable stands, sustainable carpets and less single-use plastic.
In our own venues, we aim to eradicate single-use plastic bottles from all our venues’ catering points by 2025. Our venues in the Netherlands and Sweden are already planning to remove single-use plastics from catering points in January 2024.
Since 2018/19, we’ve reduced waste generated across all Easyfairs venues by 39%. So we’re well on track to meet our 2030 goal of a 50% waste reduction.
Making our food more sustainable
Culinary excellence and ecological responsibility. It’s a fine balance. And it’s one we’re always trying to strike. We’re transforming our catering practices by promoting plant-based food, sourcing sustainably, and using innovative waste reduction strategies.
Sustainable menu options
We have clear guidelines for sustainable menu options. We endorse low-carbon alternatives while prioritising and encouraging sustainable sourcing. We’re also choosing catering partners who share our commitment to sustainability.
Plant-powered menus
We’re pioneering plant-powered menus, making vegetarian and vegan options available at all our venues’ catering points.
Red meat options phase-out
We’re phasing out red meat options across all venues by 2025. 22% of Easyfairs-catered events already have a no-red-meat policy. Our Nordic venues Kistamässan and Malmömassan excluded red meat from their catering offerings in 2023.
50% reduction in food waste
We’re aiming for a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030. So, we’ve introduced portion control measures and we’re building partnerships with local charities.
Recyclable or reusable packaging
By 2025, we aim to have recyclable or reusable packaging and cutlery at all our in-house catering points. At our venues in The Netherlands and in Sweden, we will reach this target as of January 2024.
Ethical beverages
Ethical beverage choices are a key part of our commitment to ethical sourcing and consumer choice. Fair trade coffee is now standard across all our venues and offices.
Did you know?
Easyfairs events teams also have targets to reduce CO₂ emissions.
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