Today, we as players in the event industry face an unprecedented challenge. Because we need to make our events more environmentally friendly and sustainable, not only to withstand extreme weather events, but also to be successful as an industry in the long term. The focus of this huge transformation is on energy sources and energy efficiency. And these are crucial in light of the energy crisis, the approaching winter and the recently passed Building Energy Act (GEG).
Phasing out fossil fuels and energy efficiency are the keys to sustainable events and form the foundation for our future. The event industry has the opportunity to make a significant contribution to CO2 avoidance while reducing costs. How? By switching to green power, producing more energy ourselves than we consume, using efficient sound and lighting systems, and using batteries as reliable buffers for power peaks. These measures not only help the environment, but also strengthen our economic sustainability.
Let's take this path together and make the event industry a pioneer in sustainability! It's time to roll up our sleeves and actively shape the future. With your support, we will revolutionize the industry and make sustainable events the standard. Join us and create a better and more sustainable future for the event industry!
Moving from talk to action
In this Deep Dive, we will take an in-depth look at these issues and present inspiring sustainable solutions to drastically minimize the negative impact of events on our environment. But that's not all! We will also show how we can make a positive impact on nature, society and the economy through sustainable events.
Ready to help shape the future of the event industry in a sustainable way? Then join us on this exciting journey full of opportunities and let's tackle the challenges together!
Let's break new ground together!
The current challenges, above all the threatening effects of global climate change, require us all to rethink - also in the event industry. It is not enough just to minimize our negative impact. Rather, we need to demonstrate to politicians, business and society that events are not part of the problem, but offer a crucial solution.
A sustainable event industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to addressing the global climate crisis. Every event can not only have a smaller negative impact, but also make a significant positive contribution. We can create events that bring sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions to life for millions of visitors. In this way, we can even trigger positive social tipping points. #monsterwaveofimpact
From Foodprint to Handprint - on the way to positive impact
The event industry can become a critical solution and driver for change. Every event can have a tangible positive impact while minimizing the negative impact. We achieve this by promoting biodiversity, using renewable energy sources (for example, by installing solar panels on parking lots), promoting diversity and equality, fair pay, and fostering inclusion.
In addition, increasing energy efficiency is a key aspect on our path to a sustainable future. Let's follow this path together and make the event industry a role model for sustainable change. Not only for ethical reasons, but also from an economic perspective, this is the right path to a successful and responsible future. Become part of this transformation and actively shape a sustainable event industry!
Let's get the facts straight and look to the future!
Before we dive into the details of energy efficiency solutions, we need to move past some debates and myths to finally put into action what is so desperately needed.
The latest IPCC report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the alarming news about weather disasters worldwide impressively illustrate why the reduction of greenhouse gases is so urgent and of crucial importance. Climate change and the loss of biodiversity is currently the biggest threat to our business and all of humanity. Every unsustainable event continues to raise the average global temperature - we must work together as an industry to change this quickly.
In addition to the increased use of renewable energies, efficient energy conservation is one of the most effective measures not only to reduce CO2 emissions, but also to secure our energy supply to support the expansion of heat pumps and electromobility.
Experts such as Volker Quaschning and Claudia Kemfert, as well as numerous other scientists, have shown through their models and research that the necessary transformation is technically feasible. Renewable energies, backup systems for times without sun or wind, storage systems as well as hydrogen and gas technologies are successfully in use. Best of all, even without nuclear power, we are able to secure the power supply. At the same time, we are already seeing electricity prices fall and coal-fired power generation decline dramatically and become uneconomical.
We are in a phase of change that not only makes ecological sense, but also makes economic sense. Tim Meyer, former CEO of Naturstrom AG, puts it succinctly: "Coal-fired power generation in Germany has almost halved from 14 TWh in August 2022 to 7.5 TWh in August 2023!" This is clear evidence that we are on the right track.
Let's take advantage of this momentum and together shape the future, where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. The transformation has begun, and we can make a decisive contribution. Be part of this positive change and shape a sustainable future for the event industry with us!
1) Myths and truths about electricity import:
Bruno Burger - Energy expert at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE):
"We have a European electricity market where electricity from different countries and sources is offered. Countries with cheap sources of electricity get a turn, expensive ones do not. Renewables are always the cheapest, but so far we don't have enough of them. So when our renewables are not enough, we buy electricity from our neighboring countries. That's cheaper than generating fossil electricity ourselves.
If French nuclear production is insufficient, we would have to generate fossil electricity for France. Of course, that would screw up our carbon footprint, but it has nothing to do with the fact that we don't have enough renewable electricity ourselves, but that we help out other countries.
In Germany, we have an electricity consumption or load of about 65 to 85 gigawatts. This is compared to a secured generation of 90 gigawatts by power plants, another 10 gigawatts by pumped storage power plants plus the renewables. We definitely have enough power."
2) Facts about e-cars and batteries
"The world's best-selling car currently runs on electricity: the Tesla Model Y. This fact should actually be enough to recognize the impending end of the combustion engine.
The Bundeswehr University in Munich, for example, has calculated that if green electricity is used, fully electric vehicles can reduce overall emissions by 89 percent compared with internal combustion engines. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) arrives at similar figures. Even with the current European electricity mix, e-cars still perform up to 69 percent better than internal combustion engines in terms of CO₂ emissions."
Fire hazard
According to recent studies, e-vehicles burn significantly less frequently than combustion engines.
Environmentally harmful
The environmentally harmful materials are increasingly reduced and can be recycled. The research assumes that the batteries in the near future will no longer need lithium, cobalt, nickel, etc., will no longer be flammable and will reach ranges over 1000KM.
3) Facts about e-fuels
A lot of renewable energy is needed to produce efuels and hydrogen. Therefore, it does not make sense to use e-fuels for passenger cars if the renewable energy can be used directly in batteries - without conversion to e-fuels. However, e-fuels can very well be a solution to decarbonize air and marine transport.
4) Online events and hybrid events
Digital events are not automatically sustainable, but only if they are implemented sustainably incl. green power for servers and efficient and sustainable infrastructure, sound&light systems, sustainable catering, location, etc.
5) LED lamps
"A study by OSRAM on the overall life cycle assessment of LED lamps, which included all material and energy flows from manufacture to the end of the lamp's useful life, concluded that 98 percent of the total energy consumption is used to generate light and only two percent for production. Since the energy consumed by a light source during operation accounts for the bulk of its energy expenditure, LEDs perform particularly well in this respect. They are by far the most efficient light source in terms of lumens per watt and service life."
6) Heat pumps in swimming pool and soccer stadium
"Whereas previously up to 35 m3 of 24 °C swimming pool water was discharged unused into the sewage system per rinse cycle, a Vitocal 300-G heat pump from Viessmann now uses this waste heat to reheat the 12 °C cold source water fresh water to 24 °C.Overall, Stadtwerke Osnabrück saves more than 35 percent energy and 48 metric tons of CO2 per year in the operation of the Moscaubad."
"Two groundwater heat pumps, each with a heating capacity of 645 kilowatts, provide heating and cooling. To the west of the stadium are two wells that pump up to 200,000 liters of groundwater every hour. The water has a temperature of about 10 degrees, even in winter. By evaporating and compressing a refrigerant in the heat pump, the temperature is raised to heat up to 12,000 liters of water in a heating tank to up to 60 degrees. The heat is then transferred to the stadium's heating circuit via a heat exchanger and heats the turf, the entire VIP and logistic wing, the locker rooms and all other rooms such as the offices in winter. In summer, the cold from the groundwater is used to cool the stadium.
In this way, the Augsburg stadium saves around 750 tons of CO2 per year. This is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of around 200 new single-family homes. This makes Augsburg the only stadium in the world to use heat pumps for CO2-neutral heating and cooling."
> Source: waermepumpe-regional.de
8) Battery systems for events
DGTL Festival is one of the most sustainable festivals in the world. The festival site also uses solar panels whose stored energy does not always last through the night. To compensate for this, green batteries are used that are pre-charged with green energy sources. One battery can power an entire stage and six batteries can power the entire festival. Batteries can also be used in combination with a power connection, allowing you to choose smaller power connections and thus save money, because the batteries absorb the power peaks and always provide enough power as a buffer. If no power connection is available, generators with bio-diesel can also be used and charge the batteries. At the Milkshake Festival, for example, consumption was reduced from 10,000 liters to 800 liters of biodiesel.
Best Practices
at Europa-Park Stadium Freiburg
In July 2022, our new solar roof on the Europa-Park Stadium was inaugurated together with SC partner badenova. It is one of the world's largest solar roofs on a soccer stadium and, with a peak output of 2,387 kilowatt peak (kWp), will generate approximately 2.3 million kWh of electricity per year on the Europa-Park Stadium and thus be able to cover the currently forecast annual electricity demand of the Europa-Park Stadium CO2-free.
The Europa-Park stadium's entire heating requirements are also sustainably covered by district heating from the neighboring company Cerdia. With 3,700 bicycle stands, e-charging stations and new stops for streetcars and buses, fans have numerous alternatives to arriving by car.
At the Dreisam Stadium and the Freiburg Football School, SC Freiburg is actively trying to conserve resources with infrastructure measures and guidelines it has developed itself. Photovoltaic systems with a total area of 2200 square meters are installed on the roofs of the stands at the Dreisam Stadium. In addition, a digitalized building control system, a combined heat and power plant, a deep well, and waterless urinals ensure sustainable operation and careful use of resources. In the Freiburg soccer school, the sports club relies on a wood chip system and in the new buildings on optimized thermal insulation. In addition, there are geothermal heat exchangers for ventilation and thermal solar collectors for water heating.
In addition, there are numerous smaller measures at the respective SC locations: These include the switch to LED lighting or the purchase of energy-efficient refrigerators, the optimization of the floodlights, waste separation including the rental of a paper press and, of course, the purchase of green electricity.
On home match days, stadium spectators also have the option of using their admission ticket as a bus and train ticket for public transportation. In addition, buses from the surrounding area travel to SC home games. In addition, a large proportion of Freiburg fans travel to the game by bicycle.
Instead of the general caterers that are common in many places, SC Freiburg also cooperates with many small suppliers for its food and beverage offerings in the stadium, who work in a climate-friendly manner thanks to short travel distances and predominantly regional products.
at Olympiastadion Berlin
Environmental sustainability - measures already implemented
Implementation of various technical measures to conserve resources and the environment:
- Introduction of a Green Team (sustainability officer) to monitor the planned and implemented measures
Water:
- Use of a cistern and construction of a well
- Adjustment of urinal flushing times and conversion to waterless urinals in heavily frequented areas.
- Areas
- Reduction of flow rates at flushing valves
- Regular control of sub-meters through a meter management program, thereby detecting water leakage and reducing water consumption
Heat:
- Adjustment night setback and use heating return for turf heating.
- Area and time-related remote control of heating and ventilation (BMS)
Current:
- Use of 100% "green" electricity in the framework supply agreement Land Berlin
- Installation light control computer
- Use of motion detectors for lighting control
- Transformer voltage reduction
- Conversion of stadium lighting to energy-saving LED technology (floodlights, membrane lights, counterweight lighting, lighting of walkways, VIP areas, emergency lighting pictograms)
- Expansion of the cooling capacities of the absorption chiller (in sports areas).
- Modification of technical equipment to reduce operating times (LED walls, roof lighting, transformer exhaust air)
- New purchases of technical equipment always with regard to energy consumption
Use of sustainable means of transportation:
- Bicycles
- E-cars
- E-Golfcars and E-Scooters on the Olympic Stadium Grounds
- Electric charging stations for guests in the stadium basements
- Promotion of the coupling of public transport and event tickets
- Require service providers to use resources sparingly in the relevant contracts and tenders
Use of environmentally compatible raw materials:
- Paper towels (recycled paper)
- Cleaning agents (Blue Angel)
- Toilet paper (recycled paper)
- Printer paper/letterhead paper (EU Ecolabel)
- Change from plastic packaging to paper/cardboard for merchandise items
- Merchandise textiles mur with Oeko-Tex seal
Waste disposal:
- Waste separation in offices
- Returnable cup concept
anchored in the service contracts:
- Reduce paper consumption
- Maintenance logs
- digital ticket store for major events and tourism program
- Reduction of car trips
- BVG employee ticket
- Expansion of the software structure of employee terminals, thus enabling home office or mobile working
- decentralized meetings
Objectives and planned measures:
- Use of renewable energies in cooperation with other partners
- Photovoltaics
- Geothermal energy
- Conversion of district heating
- Installation of innovative technologies
- Use of a combined heat and power unit
- Heat recovery in the ventilation systems
- Installation of battery storage for participation in the balancing energy market and for balancing peak loads
- Identification of further energy saving potentials
- Create energy efficiency report
- Network analysis of the internal power network
- Creation of carbon footprint for the Olympiastadion Berlin as well as individual events
- Expansion of further electric charging stations for stadium guests
- Installation of additional bicycle racks for our guests in the vicinity of the Olympiastadion Berlin
- Identify and support conservation projects in the region.
- Posting signs and tips in the restroom areas about "Help save water"
- Sensitization of employees in the responsible use of resources/energy
- Lights off in offices and in the stadium after work or after hoursSwitching off work computers
- Closing the office windows
Together for a nature-positive economy!
Our goal is to make sustainable economic practices that not only protect nature but actively support it the norm. To do this, we need to charge those who cause harm the societal costs of using natural resources - similar to what is already practiced in emissions trading.
We must increase the pressure on the polluters
This concerns not only policymakers, but also decision-makers in the oil industry, aircraft manufacturers, airlines and logistics companies. The solutions are already available, even in aviation there are sustainable aviation fuels. However, there is still a lack of widespread application and availability in sufficient quantities. Perhaps we should use the oil companies' excessive profits instead of investing them in new oil fields.
We should invite these decision-makers onto the stages of our industry events and urge them to accelerate the process of decarbonizing transport and mobility. After all, their decisions have a significant impact on our industry, especially international trade fairs, congresses and industry meetings. This should also be highlighted in any risk and materiality analysis of a sustainability report of our industry.
Let's fight together for a sustainable future, where our way of doing business is not just for profit, but actively contributes to the recovery of our nature. The benefits are clear: a nature-positive economy creates long-term stability, reduces environmental risks, and opens up new opportunities for our industry. Be part of this movement and shape a sustainable future for the event industry!
Changing the world with events - Positive impact through events
The event industry can move from being part of the problem to part of the solution by bringing sustainability to life and making each event create a positive impact on nature, society and the economy.
Reduce negative impact
With the most condensed guide, the Sustainabilty Rider with checklist, of the event industry, so that really everyone can reduce their negative impact. The federal government offers a detailed guide with 100 pages.
Increase positive impact
You can use the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a guide. You will find these
- on this blog
- SDG 1 - follows
- SDG 2 - follows
- SDG 3 - follows
- SDG 4 - follows
- SDG 5 - follows
- SDG 6 - follows
- SDG 7
- SDG 8
- SDG 9
- SDG 10
- SDG 11
- SDG 12
- SDG 13
- SDG 14
- SDG 15
- SDG 16
- SDG 17
Concrete solutions to increase energy efficiency
To make our industry more sustainable and fit for the future, we need to take action now. Here are concrete solutions for all stakeholders in the event industry that not only protect the environment but also offer economic benefits:
- Switch to green power:
Use renewable energy to power your events with clean electricity. - Renewable energy production:
Install solar canopies on parking lots to promote renewable energy sources. - Create CO2/climate accounting including scope 1 to 3:
Monitor and assess your CO2 emissions and climate impact to make targeted improvements. - Creation of an energy saving management system:
Implement efficient energy-saving measures to reduce costs and help the environment. - Sustainable purchasing:
When purchasing, pay attention to the life cycle, recyclability and energy efficiency of products. - Engage manufacturers on energy efficiency:
Actively ask product manufacturers to offer energy-efficient solutions. - Avoid products that are harmful to the environment:
Avoid products that are not manufactured in an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manner. - Resource conservation:
Materials, paper, toilet paper, water, energy, travel, etc. - Conduct risk and materiality analysis:
Identify risks and key factors that could impact your events. - Environmentally friendly insulation:
Rely on environmentally friendly insulation materials to increase building energy efficiency. Including roof, facade greening terrain and shading and cooling. - Convert to heat pumps or district heating:
Use heat pumps for heating and cooling in venues. - Conversion to reusable systems:
everywhere in the canteen and in the guest area, cooperation with reusable system providers or own sustainable washing lines, possibly in cooperation with other locations. - Switch to sustainable and local catering:
Cooperation with sustainable and or local companies, suppliers. - Use of rainwater:
the collection of rainwater for sanitation, irrigation of the garden, or cooling systems is very efficient. - Water reduction in the sanitary area:
Vacuum and dry toilets can save a lot of water here. - Use of wastewater:
Wastewater can be used e.g. for heat pumps - Utilization of own waste heat:
The company's own waste heat can be used in an energy-saving manner or fed into the district heating network or passed on to neighboring companies such as swimming pools, sports halls, etc. - Conversion to battery systems:
Consider using batteries, ideally in combination with fixed power or generators with biodiesel, to provide flexible energy supply. - Conversion to e-mobility:
Promote sustainable travel options and e-car sharing for guests and employees. - Changeover to Deutschlandticket, job bike, mobility budget, etc.
- Establish a charging infrastructure:
Create charging opportunities at event locations, exhibition halls, stadiums ... for electric vehicles, both cars and trucks, nightliners, buses and public transport. Thus, we create the basis for Sustainable Touring and the expansion of the infrastructure for the logistics industry with e-trucks and tourism with e-tour buses. - Reduce negative impact and increase positive impact:
Implement measures to minimize negative environmental impacts while achieving a positive impact on nature, society and the economy. - Publish a sustainability strategy:
Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and environmental protection through clear strategies. - Create a sustainability report:
Transparently document your progress and achievements in implementing sustainable measures. - Supply chain analysis and control:
Audit, support and improve the energy efficiency of your suppliers, including venues, caterers, shuttle services, hotels, tech partners, logistics companies, decorators and booth builders. - Sustainable travel options:
Encourage guests and stakeholders to travel by public transportation, event rail ticket, e-shuttles or bicycles during registration and ticket purchase. - Switch to sustainable ticketing and admission systems:
Use companies that use green power servers and hosting and digital admission systems, and if you need badges, print on recycled paper and with environmentally friendly inks - Employee training:
Offer training and education to raise your teams' awareness of sustainable practices. Develop your consulting skills to help your customers implement sustainable events. - Develop minimum standards:
Get actively involved in shaping industry standards, together with associations, policymakers and chambers of commerce. - Reach out to executives:
Actively engage with leaders in the industry and call for binding action. - Reach out to politicians:
Contact policymakers and demand implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Conference on Nature.
About the initiative "16 Steps to 2025 - Towards a Climate-Neutral Event Industry
More about the initiative "16 Steps to 2025 - For a climate-neutral event industry" and the complete press release can be found at pressebox.de
> to the official press release - step 6
> Download press release - step 6
> to all press releases of Stefan Lohmann
> 16 Steps to 2025 - For a climate-neutral event industry
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