Certified sustainable: What Green Globe, EMAS, DEHOGA Umweltcheck and more mean for conference venues in Leipzig

Green Globe certification assesses around 400 indicators across more than 40 categories, covering measures related to economic, social and environmental sustainability. To achieve Green Globe certification, an organisation must meet more than half of the indicators in each category. The certification is renewed annually, with an on-site audit conducted every two years.
 

Leipziger Messe with the Congress Center Leipzig and KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig

Leipziger Messe became the first major German trade fair organisation to receive Green Globe certification in 2009. The Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) and the KONGRESSHALLE am Zoo Leipzig are part of the Leipziger Messe corporate group and therefore also meet Green Globe requirements. These include a strong commitment to energy efficiency and resource conservation, sustainable mobility, and social responsibility – such as training and continuing professional development, flexible working models and comprehensive health management. In addition, Leipziger Messe has signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge of the international trade fair and events industry, committing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. This goal is being pursued, for example, through the use of 100 per cent green electricity and the operation of the company’s own photovoltaic system.

EMAS stands for Eco-Management and Audit Scheme and is a European environmental management system. Its objective is clear: organisations systematically identify the environmental impacts of their activities and continuously reduce them.
 

Zoo Leipzig

Zoo Leipzig has been EMAS-certified since 2014 and publishes an environmental statement every year. This document reports on a wide range of measures, including regional and international species and nature conservation projects, the conversion of lighting systems in animal houses, the ‘forest championship’ tree-planting initiative, and environmental education programmes for visitors. A recent highlight is the Ark Discovery House, featuring 360-degree projections that immerse visitors in exotic habitats while using audiovisual storytelling to provide information about biodiversity conservation. Zoo Leipzig’s environmental policy also includes avoiding energy and water waste, reducing emissions, and giving due consideration to sustainability criteria in procurement. A strong example of regional synergy: in cooperation with a Leipzig-based horticultural business, eucalyptus for the koalas is now grown locally. This eliminates the need for long-distance imports.
    
For event organisers at Zoo Leipzig, this means: your conferences and business events held in the zoo’s own event venues benefit from a wide range of certified sustainable measures. At the same time, the supporting programme can take participants on sustainable discovery tours just next door.

GreenSign Hotel certification determines the level of a hotel’s sustainability performance. It takes into account criteria from established standards such as EMAS and aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although the label carries the word “Green”, GreenSign Hotel goes beyond purely ecological considerations to include economic and social aspects as well. The certification covers 130 criteria across ten core areas. The certification process includes a comprehensive requirements catalogue, the development of guiding principles for sustainable and responsible corporate management, and the establishment of an environmental programme. Following an on-site audit, the degree to which the hotel’s information complies with the GreenSign criteria is assessed. The result is a conformity level that the hotel is permitted to share with the public. Certification is then valid for a period of three years.
 

HYPERION Hotel Leipzig

Several conference hotels in Leipzig meet GreenSign Hotel requirements with very strong results. The HYPERION Hotel Leipzig is part of the H-Hotels Group and has been awarded the DGNB Gold Certificate by the German Sustainable Building Council. This confirms that climate protection and environmental considerations already played a key role during the construction phase, for example through the installation of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient building technology.
 

Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Leipzig

Victor’s Residenz-Hotel Leipzig actively communicates its sustainability efforts on its website, including measures to reduce water consumption and prevent food waste. In addition, the hotel is socially engaged, supporting sports, cultural initiatives and charitable projects.
 

Staycity Aparthotels Leipzig City

With Staycity Aparthotels Leipzig City Centre, a centrally located apartment hotel in Leipzig is also certified under the GreenSign scheme. All of these accommodations combine a central city location with a strong commitment to sustainability, ensuring a thoroughly enjoyable stay in Leipzig.

Plan T room category at the Leipzig Marriott Hotel  

Even beyond formal certification schemes, conference hotels, venues and catering businesses in Leipzig are developing their own sustainability initiatives. The Leipzig Marriott Hotel has introduced the Plan T room category. In addition to mindful energy use and the provision of a bicycle for the duration of a guest’s stay, the hotel has a tree planted for every night spent in a Plan T room. The Leipzig Marriott Hotel is also a partner of the Too Good To Go initiative, taking a very practical approach to preventing food waste.

 
Ecological sustainability from the ground up: Leipzig KUBUS

Sustainability was a key consideration from the very outset when the Leipzig KUBUS was built, with a particular focus on ecological aspects. During the winter months, the foyer is heated using geothermal energy. Excessive heat build-up in summer is reduced by coated glass louvres installed in front of the glass façade. In the halls, heat is recovered from exhaust air. The operator, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), is certified in accordance with EMAS standards.

 
Less heat through green roofing at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig

One step taken by the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig has been to focus on the energy-efficient refurbishment of its glass façade, and the greening of 800 square metres of roof space surrounding solar panels. Previously, a gravel roof had radiated heat during periods of intense summer sunshine, contributing to the warming of the inner city.
 

From bees to deposit cups: QUARTERBACK Immobilien ARENA

The QUARTERBACK Immobilien ARENA uses green electricity, has established beehives on its premises, and donates the proceeds from unreturned deposit cups to social projects. The cups are designed by Leipzig-based artists and have even become collectible.
 

On the path to a zero-waste stadium: Red Bull Arena

Red Bull Arena Leipzig has embarked on the journey towards becoming a “zero-waste” stadium and has already achieved Bronze certification for its waste and recyclable materials management from TÜV Süd. Working together with environmental services provider PreZero, the stadium has succeeded in significantly increasing its recycling rate. One flagship project stands out in particular: the 30,000 new stadium seats are made of up to 90 per cent recycled material.