One key action for climate protection is adopting a plant-based diet with minimal animal products. That’s why, from day one, GTF has committed to serving only 100% vegetarian food and drinks at the festival. The proportion of vegan meals increases from year to year. We’re not just talking about the food stalls either – our commitment extends to the catering for all our festival staff.
3
DAYS
14K
VISITORS
200
EXHIBITORS
350
SPEAKERS
SUSTAINABILITY AT GTF
At the GREENTECH FESTIVAL, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses not only the promotion of innovative green technologies but also the integration of sustainable practices throughout our events.
We believe in the power of collective action and aim to inspire and empower individuals, businesses, and communities to adopt eco-friendly solutions. From offering only vegetarian and vegan food options to using ecofriendly energy solutions, GTF is dedicated to driving positive environmental impact and creating a greener, more sustainable future for all.
CATEGORIES
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FOOD
100% Vegetarian
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Drinks, Water & Reusable Tableware
Reducing Waste with Reusable Options
All our drinks are served exclusively in glass bottles wherever possible or reusable cups to reduce single use packaging. Throughout the festival, we use only reusable dishes, effectively minimising waste and our environmental footprint. Additionally, we’ve partnered with GROHE who set up water stations throughout the festival grounds, so guests can easily refill their own bottles.
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Recycling & Waste
Waste separation is facilitated by our partner Alba, who provides designated bins for different types of waste to ensure effective recycling. By working closely with Alba, we aim to minimize our environmental impact and maximize the reuse of resources, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.
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Green Energy
With Messe Berlin as our venue partner for GTF 2024, we had a strong ally in sustainable energy practices. Their on-site combined heat and power plant (CHP) covers over 50% of the venue’s energy needs. Since 2017, they have sourced 100% green electricity and are constructing Berlin’s largest solar deck – featuring the capital’s largest rooftop solar system, the third largest in Germany. In collaboration with energy provider E.ON, they are transitioning their entire heating and cooling systems to climate-friendly technologies.
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Eco-Friendly Travels
All internal and external domestic travels of GTF are primarily booked as train journeys or with electric cars. For international travel, we collaborate with our partner Lufthansa, exclusively opting for Green Fares. Additionally, for the festival days themselves, we recommend the use of public transportation, which is well-suited due to our location at Messe Berlin. Furthermore, at GTF Berlin 2024, we partnered with Deutsche Bahn to distribute 25% discount vouchers to all guests, promoting the use of train travel among our attendees.
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Exhibition & Conference
Sustainable Festival Grounds
The design of the GTF set is intentionally focused on reusability and recyclability, avoiding single-use constructions and prioritizing sustainable materials whenever possible. During the festival, we implement several environmentally conscious practices, including using LED technology on the stages for our awards show and conference, offering only digital programs, exhibitor directories or flyers without printed copies, and utilizing sustainable and recyclable materials for items like lanyards, badges made from sustainable paper, and wristbands featuring bamboo closures. Another important aspect is our sustainable Green Carpet, which is recycled after the festival, with the raw materials being used to make new carpets.
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Digital First, Print last
Wherever possible, we prioritize digital media over print media at GTF. This includes our outdoor advertising, festival site plans, program guides, and media content for the awards show and conference. Digital options offer a greater flexibility, interactivity, and accessibility for our attendees, enhancing their overall experience while minimizing waste. Wherever print media is unavoidable, such as the covering of construction fences or wayfinding signs, we design them in such a way that we can reuse them several times.
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CO2 Management
Investing into the future with myclimate
In partnership with myclimate, the GTF is dedicated to hosting a climate-neutral event. Through myclimate, we measure and evaluate our CO2 emissions, using this data to invest in meaningful climate protection projects. Currently, GTF is supporting the “Back to the Green Island with Efficient and Solar Stoves, Madagascar” project. To find out more about our collaboration, please scan the barcode or directly head over to https://calculate.myclimate.org/tracking_numbers/01-23-835770?language=en
Together with myclimate the GREENTECH FESTIVAL is working on creating a climate neutral event. Important measures for emission reductions in the event organization have already been implemented.
