Sustainability Efforts
Recognizing the significant environmental footprint of meeting and events, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is committed to tracking, managing, and reducing the emissions to address and mitigate the environmental impact associated with its events. We are a supporting association of the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE), the worldwide events industry initiative to address climate change, since February 2024.
GBTA’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact extends beyond event-specific measures, encompassing a broader commitment to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within the business travel sector with the GBTA Foundation Sustainability Initiative. Read more at gbtafoundation.org/planet.
Measure – Understanding our environmental impact
Recap: GBTA Europe Conference Emissions Reports
GBTA values sustainability, and we’ve been tracking the emissions for Convention and our Europe
Conference – GBTA’s two biggest events – since 2022.
GBTA is committed to fostering accountability and driving sustainable practices. Emissions calculations are the necessary first step towards reducing the environmental impact of our events. These calculations will guide our decision-making, allowing GBTA to identify emission hotspots, set reduction targets, and implement strategies to mitigate their environmental footprint.
Decarbonize – Reducing our footprint
We’re proud to engage with suppliers who share our commitment to reducing environmental impact, sourcing eco-friendly materials, and implementing innovative waste reduction strategies. For example, GBTA’s long-term partner Freeman, a founding member of the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) initiative, is committed to improving its operations’ sustainability.
Beyond the Conference floor, we always try to prioritise suppliers actively involved in community-based initiatives to decarbonize our event. Discover the Bella Center’s work: bellacenter.dk/en/sustainability
- Offering shuttle routes for attendees to and from select hotels to the convention center.
- No idling policy
Materials
- Encouraging recycling of signage/stands/other materials
- Eliminating secondary Expo aisle carpet
- Electronic proofing of badges prior to printing onsite
- Providing recycling/composting bins in various locations throughout the Convention
- Increasing use of the GBTA mobile app, and utilizing electronic mail for marketing and communication purposes
Food and Beverage
The Bella Center embrace a zero-waste commitment by reducing, reusing, and recycling, minimizing landfill disposal. More information here.
Offsets
GBTA is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its events as much as possible. However, for those unavoidable emissions, we choose to offset all emissions directly related to Convention (scope 1 and 2) to contribute to driving investment and innovation in low-carbon technologies and practices.
Green Wins from previous events:
Engage – Empowering stakeholders
Reducing the environmental impact of the Conference wouldn’t be possible without the involvement , engagement, and efforts of our attendees, exhibitors, and our staff. GBTA believes in the empowerment of individuals to take ownership to reduce our collective carbon emissions.
Ways you can be more sustainable at GBTA +VDR Conference 2024 in Partnership with the Nordic Business Travel Associations | Copenhagen
Do you want to help reduce the Conference’s impact on the environment? Commit to the following green actions as part of your experience and get recognized with a Green sticker on your badge:
- Prioritize taking the train to come to Copenhagen
- Walk or take public transport to and from all GBTA programming
- Bring your own water bottle to all GBTA programming
- Separate your waste thoughtfully and use the correct bins
- Try an all-vegan or all-vegetarian meal during your trip to Copenhagen
- Calculate and offset your travel emissions
Enhance your knowledge of Sustainable Business Travel by attending the GBTA Sustainability Summit
Whether you are a travel buyer, supplier, or a sustainability professional interested in focusing on reducing your organization’s business travel emissions make sure to attend the Sustainability Summit, included in your Europe Conference registration, on November 4th and become your organization’s sustainability champion.
GBTA is constantly working on making our events more sustainable.
Please help GBTA improve its events’ sustainability efforts! Submit your ideas to sustainability@gbta.org.
GBTA FOUNDATION
The GBTA Foundation works collaboratively with industry partners, governments, experts, and other like-minded, non-profit organizations to drive positive change for People and the Planet.
GBTA Sustainable Procurement Standards is a consolidated bank of sustainability questions for procurement that aligns with international sustainability standards.
GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge
Contribute to a global movement to advance sustainable business practices and benchmark progress on reducing emissions from your corporate travel program
Hear from GBTA’s Sustainability Leadership Council on what is needed to build a greener future for business travel.