Sustainability
Amsterdam climbs the sustainability table – and RAI Amsterdam is building for it
A 10-PLACE JUMP IN THE 2026 GDS-INDEX PUTS AMSTERDAM AMONG THE WORLD’ S FASTEST RISERS FOR SUSTAINABLE EVENTS. AT RAI AMSTERDAM, THE WORK BEHIND THAT PROGRESS IS HAPPENING FROM THE ROOF DOWN
A msterdam has climbed
10 places to 30th in the 2026 Global Destination Sustainability Index( GDS-Index), making it one of the strongest risers worldwide for sustainable congress and events policy. For a city that only broke into the top 40 a year ago, it is a significant leap – and a signal to organisers that sustainability is becoming part of everyday practice in the Dutch capital, rather than a box to tick.
Legacy at the heart of the score The city performed particularly well on the impact and legacy of events, supporting organisers with knowledge, practical tools and programmes designed to leave a lasting positive mark on both delegates and residents.
RAI Amsterdam offers one of the clearest examples. During the EASL Liver Congress, free liver screenings were offered at the venue, turning a major medical meeting into a direct public health benefit for the city that hosted it. It is the kind of legacy model association planners are increasingly asked to demonstrate to their boards and members.
Amsterdam also made progress on visitor management and climate action, working to spread visitor flows more evenly across the city and to make sustainable choices easier for those who visit.
Fixing the fabric Rankings reward policy, but they depend on infrastructure – and RAI Amsterdam’ s latest investment shows how much of a venue’ s contribution happens out of sight.
Over six weeks this summer, more than 150 people worked in and around the complex as part of the RAI’ s longterm plan to modernise its buildings step by step. Among the most significant projects for the venue’ s environmental performance was the roof above Hall 10, the Forum and the E-Rooms. Renewed in phases since March, it has had its existing layers replaced and new insulation added to improve energy efficiency.
At Entrance C, new air ducts, sprinklers, cable routes and lighting have been installed behind the ceilings, while a new steel structure on the roof will carry new air handling equipment – preparing the entrance or further technical upgrades in 2027. New lighting has also been fitted in Hall 8 and the heating system in the production kitchen improved.
Outside, damaged concrete above the P2 car park has been repaired and waterproofed, and new electricity and data conduits laid so that connections can be added wherever they are needed in future.
A better welcome The upgrades are not only about efficiency. Entrance C has been transformed inside and out, with the canopy and high entrance ceiling cleaned and repainted to keep the RAI’ s industrial character while creating a calmer, brighter space. A new service desk gives arriving delegates a clear focal point, the cloakroom has moved to improve visitor flow and the toilet facilities have been fully renovated.
What it means for planners For organisers with ambitious ESG targets, the two announcements – published a day apart – tell a joinedup story. A destination climbing the sustainability rankings needs venues that can back up the claim, and RAI Amsterdam is investing patiently in exactly that.
With the next phase of technical upgrades scheduled for 2027, the venue’ s work is far from finished. But with Amsterdam now inside the GDS-Index top 30, it has fresh momentum – and a clear incentive to keep climbing. n
14 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 145