Event Carbon Footprint
Determine the carbon footprint of your event and actively reduce its CO2 emissions – we support you from analysis to reduction and CO2 offsetting.
Emission sources of a typical event
- Travel to and from the event: approx. 70 %
- Accommodation: approx. 15 %
- Food and beverages: approx. 10 %
- Energy demand plus infrastructure and site operations: approx. 5 %
Step 1: Avoidance
The greatest potential for emission reduction lies in the choice of transportation.
Step 2: Calculation
In the second step, the amounts of avoidable CO2 emissions are calculated and recorded in a carbon footprint.
Key indicators (non-exhaustive)
- Setup and dismantling of temporary infrastructure
- Guest travel
- Overnight stays
- Energy consumption (electricity, generators, etc.)
- Water consumption
- Heating energy consumption
- Amount of waste generated
- Paper and material use, ticketing, advertising, etc.
- Cleaning of the venue/event area
- Merchandise and giveaways
Event venue
The venue is one of the, if not the most important, key factors for a sustainable event. Is the event taking place in an energy-efficient building, and is the location easily accessible by public transport?
Other considerations
Do guests, partners, and stakeholders have the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions about the event? Is sustainability communicated externally? Is there an option to offset the CO2 emissions generated by the event?
Travel to and from the event
Incentivize the use of public transport by integrating it into the ticketing system. Provide information on climate-friendly travel options and offer incentives (e.g., discounts for environmentally friendly travel or preferred parking for fully occupied cars).
Social sustainability focuses on removing barriers and making the event accessible to everyone. This also includes proactively addressing discrimination and minimizing negative impacts on residents near the event location.
Areas for action
There are various areas for action, many of which are interconnected. For example, the choice of venue also affects mobility and waste management. A building with excellent energy efficiency but poor access to public transport is only partially sustainable.
Before the event
- Choose a venue that is easily accessible by public transport (everything starts with the journey itself)
- Offer combination tickets that include public transport
- Provide a shuttle service and an option for voluntary CO2 offsetting
- Develop a communications and PR strategy focused on sustainability
- Provide CO2 offset options for participants (travel, accommodation)
Venue
- Energy consumption is a key factor when selecting the event or conference building
- Is green electricity available?
Procurement & communication
- Use recycled paper for brochures and flyers
- Ensure climate-neutral shipping
- Communicate early that the event will be climate-neutral
- Encourage participants and sponsors to contribute through their own behavior
During the event
- Offer food and products from ecological or organic sources
- Use reusable packaging and dishware to reduce waste
- Avoid unnecessary transport and optimize shuttle services
CO2 calculation
- Collect data from the individual areas for action and compile it in a CO2 footprint
- Set CO2 reduction targets and define measures
- Monitoring
- Choose a climate protection project
The goal is to minimize environmental impacts as much as possible. Recurring environmental measures are defined and regularly reviewed. These measures provide participants, partners, and sponsors with practical ecological inspiration for everyday life.
Checklist for sustainability concept
General
- Is a sustainability concept in place?
- Are responsible persons assigned?
- Are implemented measures analyzed?
- Are employees, partners, sponsors, participants, and spectators informed and instructed?
Waste and littering
- Are disposable products avoided?
- Are sufficient waste bins available?
- Are recyclable materials separated from residual waste?
- Are PET bottles recycled?
- Are reusable beverage systems implemented?
- Is a deposit system in place (for food and beverages)?
Transport and mobility
- Venue within walking distance of public transport
- Event schedule coordinated with public transport timetable
- Participants are informed
- Combination tickets include public transport use
- Short transport routes
- Shuttle service
- CO2 offset option for participants (integrated into ticketing)?
Energy and infrastructure
- Only existing buildings, parking lots, routes, etc., are used
- Venue connected to the electricity grid
- Efficient energy and water use
- Renewable energy and efficient equipment
- Site restoration after the event
- Diesel generators equipped with particulate filters
- Are sufficient toilets available?
- Accommodation in immediate proximity to the venue
- CO2 compensation for unavoidable emissions
Nature and landscape
- Are all permits and approvals obtained?
- Protected areas should be avoided
- Sensitive areas such as rivers, streams, or lake shores are respected
- Is the route adapted to the environment?
Food and catering
- Are seasonal dishes offered?
- Are regional and local products and suppliers preferred?
- Use of Fair Trade products?
- At least one vegetarian dish offered?
- Products from organic farming and animal-friendly husbandry provided (min. 50%)
- Food waste: Is there a cooperation with a local food bank?
Noise
- Sound levels in outdoor areas
- Outdoor sound limited in time and space
- Are local residents informed?
- Setup and dismantling work conducted between 07:00 and 22:00
Ethics and social aspects
- Smoking ban in indoor areas
- Is a youth protection concept in place?
- Advertising and sponsorship from alcohol or tobacco industries?
- Anti-doping measures and awareness of drug use
- Giveaways and merchandising items meet social and ecological standards
- Accessibility for disabled persons (barrier-free)
- Are sufficient toilets available?
- Children and youth benefit from discounted entry
- Integrity and transparency of all participants and partners
Promotion and talent development
- Project development in collaboration, promoting local, regional, and national talent
- Does the event provide development opportunities to foster talent?
- Are local side-events organized to introduce children and youth to the sport or cultural field?
- Is active participation encouraged?
- Are measures taken in collaboration with the national association to increase athletes’ success chances?
- Is the event used together with the national association for internal training and education?
