Sustainability
Copyright : Schweiz Tourismus / Colin Frei
Are there any specific destinations in Switzerland that have been recognised for their commitment to sustainability in the events industry ? What actions have they taken ? The city of Basel is among the first destinations in Switzerland to have been awarded the “ Swisstainable ” label as an entire destination . This recognition is based on a range of criteria , including the requirement for many diverse tourism service providers within the destination to be actively engaged in the national sustainability programme .
Other noteworthy examples in various Swiss destinations include the Tissot Arena in Biel / Bienne , home to the world ’ s largest in-stadium solar power plant , and the Kursaal in Bern , where thousands of beehives are located on its roof . Lausanne-Montreux ranks among the top 20 in the Global Destination Sustainability ( GDS ) index , with many more examples to be found on our website .
What steps is the SCIB taking to support the events industry in
achieving net-zero carbon emissions ? We guide in organising carbon-neutral events by outlining measures to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions In addition , venues or organisers have the option to offset activities that still generate carbon emissions .
Are there any sustainability accreditations that the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau encourages destinations and event venues in Switzerland to work towards ? If yes , which accreditations are they and how do they contribute to sustainability goals ? We generally encourage all event venues and providers , small or big , to consider enhancing or expanding their sustainability commitments . The most important initiative for the Swiss tourism industry was the launch in 2021 of the national sustainability programme
“ Swisstainable ” by Switzerland Tourism , together with the University of Lucerne and the Swiss tourism industry .
This programme , organised into three levels based on the sustainability commitment of each tourism provider , is not a certification but includes the most recognised national and international sustainability certifications in all three areas of sustainable development as access criteria . nFor more information about Swisstainable , look at MySwitzerland . com / swisstainable
How does the SCIB collaborate with event organisers to ensure that sustainability practices are implemented throughout the entire event planning process ? Our role is to support event organisers with ideas and suggestions on how to make their events in Switzerland as sustainable as possible . Increasingly , clients are requesting event organisers to implement sustainable measures into their events . We also serve as a platform for sharing best practices , showcasing what venues and providers in Switzerland have previously put into place in terms of sustainability , and helping all players in the meetings industry , including potential clients , find concrete sources of inspiration .
Can you provide examples of successful collaborations between the SCIB , national convention bureaus , suppliers and event venues that have resulted in significant reductions in carbon emissions or increased sustainability ? We would highlight the Adventure Travel Summit held in Lugano in 2022 , which was themed around the elements and ensuring a harmonious relationship with nature . We ’ d also point to the UN World Data Protection Forum in Bern in 2021 ’ s sustainability concept . n
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