Environmental protection measures being undertaken by Messe Berlin and its subsidiaries Messe Berlin is concerned that its actions should not have a negative environmental impact, while also seeking to ensure that its ideas and its activities fulfil economic objectives as well as producing ecological advantages. With its various facilities and services Messe Berlin GmbH applies the following measures in order to protect the environment: Energy 2 combined heat and power plants operate on the production of energy. Our wood pellet furnace produces CO 2 -neutral energy from renewable raw materials. All exhibitors and organisers of events can obtain a certificate confirming the use of this system. Since 2002 we have achieved a 26% reduction in CO 2 emissions, which is a higher level than that prescribed by the Kyoto Protocol. By introducing technical innovations our aim is to reduce CO 2 emissions by 44% by the end of 2009. 14% of our power is generated in the form of ecoelectricity. Individual events can now be supplied exclusively with eco-electricity, and exhibitors or organisers can, of course, obtain a relevant certificate. The exhibition halls are equipped with heat recovery systems, i.e. any remaining heat in the expelled air is utilised rather than simply dissipated into the atmosphere. Messe Berlin adheres strictly to its energy-saving concept, for example in the following ways: Minimum heating/air conditioning during construction and dismantling at events. Preparations and follow-up are consistently based on the energy coefficients of the various facilities. Documentation and evaluation of consumption in order to identify the potential for optimisation and to apply further energy-saving projects. All lighting units are now continually being replaced by energy-saving T5 fluorescent lamps. Regulators and presence detectors that are dependent on external light are currently being retrofitted. We expect to be able to reduce our electricity consumption by as much as 50%. Investigations are now taking place to determine the viability of using green gas on the Exhibition Grounds.
Water The Messe Berlin grounds are provided with various rainwater seepage facilities, enabling rain to be returned to the groundwater after having been purified by natural methods. Of course all waste water passes through separators (for oil etc.) before entering the sewers. Waste disposal services For many years Messe Berlin has been consistently applying the principles of waste separation during its events: Use of separate containers in public areas for cardboard/paper, glass, packaging and other refuse. Separate collection of useful materials when disposing of exhibition refuse: wood, cardboard/paper, glass, plastic foil and light packaging Leftover food is of course collected separately. When selecting recycling or disposal plants consideration is given not only to the efficiency of such plants but also to their distance from the Exhibition Grounds, in order to keep fuel consumption and the emission of pollutants to a minimum. The waste disposal company appointed by Messe Berlin has obtained ISO 9001 certification and uses state of the art waste disposal systems and equipment. The waste disposal vehicles used on site all comply with the European emission standard 4 5 and the pollution category 2 3. In future the vehicles will be converted to run on rapeseed oil. www.alba.info
Cleaning services We use biodegradable chemical cleaning products. With our cleaning machinery we place particular emphasis on recycling systems and mainly deploy electrically powered equipment. The cleaning company appointed by Messe Berlin has obtained ISO 9001 and 14001 certification. www.gegenbauer.de/unternehmen/umweltmanagement.php Winter services Salt is only spread on areas where there is increased risk of accidents, and in all other cases we use sand and grit. Care of greenspaces Soil samples are taken prior to any application of fertilisers to determine the actual amounts required. Automatic irrigation is used to ensure that the amount of water used is consistent with the requirements of gardens and greenspaces. Beneficial organisms are used instead of chemical pest control methods. Technical systems for events We purchase high grade, long lasting equipment. Long life cycles avoid the need to frequently scrap equipment, thereby helping to protect the environment. Of course waste consumables such as lighting equipment and batteries are collected and recycled.
Our staff The staff of Messe Berlin also have plenty of opportunities for acting in an environmentally aware way. They can, for example, obtain a month s season ticket for public transport at very reasonable rates. We help our cyclists by providing numerous covered cycle racks. We encourage the separation of waste in our employees offices. Our purchasing department is subject to the following rules: For our printed matter we commission printing works with the latest machinery that uses environmentally compatible inks and dyes (e.g. water-based or water-soluble). We ensure that the materials that we buy in do not contain any pollutants (e.g. phthalates). We are in the process of changing over to FSC sources for our Messe Berlin notepaper and copy paper. When sourcing products from within Germany we endeavour to find the shortest possible delivery distances and prefer items obtained from Asia to be delivered by sea. Capital Catering GmbH The actions of our subsidiary Capital Catering GmbH (CCG) and the offers that it submits are largely influenced by the requirements of our exhibitors and event organisers. Consequently, if requested, local fruit and vegetables can be used exclusively, in keeping with seasonal production. Because delivery distances are kept to a minimum, this has a positive impact on the amount of fuel consumed, and organic products can also be supplied if required. Capital Catering GmbH consistently applies ecological principles: CCG only uses re-usable tableware. If organisers request disposable tableware CCG will supply com postable tableware and wooden cutlery. PET bottles are collected or, alternatively, water dispensers can be made available. In common with Messe Berlin, waste separation and recycling systems are applied. All pass-through dishwashers are equipped with reverse osmosis units to reduce water consumption. CCG office areas are equipped with movement sensors, everyone is encouraged to help to conserve energy. Furthermore all the vehicles in the company s fleet are diesel-powered and carry the official environmental stickers. All new kitchen equipment is designed to save water and energy. Individual, pre-packed portions are being phased out to reduce waste.
Capital Services GmbH Green principles are also adhered to by Capital Services GmbH (CSG), which supplies a wide range of services for exhibitors: In a recent development disposable carpeting will now only be available without a foam underlay, thereby facilitating its ecological disposal. If requested, used materials can be passed on to associations providing social services, or to the needy. Exhibitors service folders will no longer be printed and dispatched but instead will be made available digitally for in dividual downloading. This reduces paper consumption. The material used to construct stands is reusable and therefore sustainable. A special system utilising renewable resources (wood and textiles) is now available, and this is of course also re-usable. During the International Tourism Exchange visitors were able to make their admission tickets climate neutral. This was the result of collaboration with atmosfair, www.atmosfair.de. Of course the entire fleet of vehicles has been certified in accordance with the Euro-standard and carries the environmental sticker. Company bicycles are also provided. CSG staff are also required to assist in conserving energy. Movement sensors are installed in the office areas and particular attention is paid to the separation of waste. The job application process is paperless and takes place on the internet.
Berlin Germany s capital is becoming increasingly green too. Starting on 1 January 2008 Berlin became the first German city to introduce an environmental zone and, as a consequence, only low emission vehicles meeting the conditions of pollution groups 2, 3 and 4 (corresponding to EURO 2, 3 and 4) and carrying the so-called environmental sticker are allowed in the inner city area. From 01.01.2010 only vehicles conforming to the EURO 4 standard will be permitted in the inner city area. www.berlin.de/sen/umwelt/luftqualitaet/de/luftreinhalteplan/umweltzone_allgemeines.shtml Starting in May 2009 Berlin became the centre for nationwide testing of electric vehicles for everyday use. In the course of these trials 550 power supply points will be installed, one of them on the Messe Berlin grounds. From an ecological viewpoint rail travel is the best way of getting to a venue. Deutsche Bahn offers an organiser s ticket, which is also a viable alternative to flying. www.bahn.de/regional/view/bundesweit/aktion/ veranstaltungsticket.shtml Berlin has an extensive public transport network, enabling our visitors to avoid the use of cars when attending events on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds and in the ICC. With two S-Bahn (light railway) stations, one U-Bahn (underground) station and 7 bus routes within immediate walking distance, the Exhibition Grounds and ICC Berlin are easy to reach. The organisers of events can, of course, obtain favourably priced combined tickets for public transport, thereby helping to protect the environment and save money at the same time. We will be pleased to help set up the necessary contacts. Members of the public visiting Berlin can make use of the Welcome Card Berlin, a low-priced and green type of ticket. www.btm.de/
Another good idea which is also green involves the Deutsche Bahn bicycle hire system, which is available throughout Berlin as a climate-friendly means of sightseeing. www.deutschebahn.com/site/bahn/de/reisen/ankommen weiterreisen/callabike/callabike.html The Berlin Convention Office BCO is the official representative of the city of Berlin in the field of congresses, meetings, corporate events and incentives. Since 2001 the department has been promoting this destination both domestically and internationally as a venue for conventions, meetings and incentives of all kinds. Berlin Green Meetings was set up in May 2009 as a platform for unified presentations by companies in Berlin that satisfy green criteria. It is intended to assist event organisers to find ecologically minded service providers and appropriate venues. Messe Berlin and the ICC Berlin are, or course, also represented. www.berlin-green-meetings.com 1. Reduktion der Umweltverschmutzung zum Wohle der menschlichen Gesundheit (the Environmental Health objective); und 2. Schutz von Ökosystemen und natürlichen Ressourcen (the Ecosystem Vitality objective). Berlin in an international comparison The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) was again compiled in 2008, as a collaboration between the universities of Columbia and Yale. The EPI enables comparisons to be made between current national environmental protection measures. Taking into account the fact that the success of environmental protection measures is always dependent on local conditions, the EPI is based on measurable results which are linked with strategic objectives and form the subject of long term investigations. The compilation of the EPI involved investigations focussing on two main objectives: 1. A reduction in pollution in the interests of human health (the Environmental Health objective); and 2. the protection of eco-systems and natural resources (the Ecosystem Vitality objective). In 2006 Berlin was ranked 22nd but by 2008 it had progressed to 13th place, putting it among the leaders in an international comparison.