© Philipp Kirschner

Congress destination Leipzig: Four initiatives for more sustainability

Leipzig is committed to the goal of sustainability in many ways. It has a wealth of exciting ideas and initiatives, both in terms of organising events and accommodating conference guests in the city.
This became clear at IMEX 2023: here, the congress initiative “Feel the spirit... do-it-at-leipzig.de” presented the city of Leipzig as a sustainable congress destination, illustrated by current examples of green event management. From photovoltaic systems to tree planting campaigns, from green energy and energy-efficient electronics to home-grown honey: our event partners’ commitment to sustainability is truly inspirational!


1. Pioneering species and environmental protection at Zoo Leipzig

Zoo Leipzig is committed to environmental protection in many areas. In 2014, it was the first German zoo to introduce an EMAS-certified environmental management system.
Each year, the environmental policy plans and implements further environmental improvements.
Also interesting: at UEFA EURO 2024™, Leipzig will be the host city for four matches and at the same time the location of the International Broadcast Centre, the working hub for all media partners. Zoo Leipzig is also involved in this major sporting event: Zoo Leipzig director Professor Jörg Junhold is Leipzig’s official sustainability ambassador.
While we still have to wait a while for the European Football Championship to start, the “forest championship” he initiated is already getting underway: the tree planting campaign, which involves Zoo Leipzig, the Forest for Saxony foundation and other prominent supporters, is all about sustainable reforestation.

In April, the first 2,024 seedlings were planted to establish a mixed forest that is rich in structure and species. In the run-up to UEFA EURO 2024™, a further 2,024 trees are to be planted for each of the four matches in Leipzig. You can become a tree donor for the upcoming reforestation campaign here.

2. Leipzig Marriott Hotel: “Plan T” for our planet

The Leipzig Marriott Hotel’s “Plan T” initiative demonstrates that sustainability does not happen in isolation, but works best in collaboration with committed partners: the term stands for both “plan transformation” and “plant a tree”.
The entire second floor of the hotel has been optimised for CO2 savings, from water-saving shower heads and taps to an expanded organic food offering and waste reduction processes.

Genuinely green, not greenwashing: in partnership with the environmental project Forest for Saxony, the hotel donates a tree from local nurseries for every room booked. The conference hotel has also taken practical steps to promote environmentally friendly mobility: guests can request a free Swapfiets bike for the duration of their stay.

3. Sustainable events at the Porsche Experience Center Leipzig

Events at the Porsche Experience Center Leipzig use a wide range of regional and even in-house products. A very charming example is the honey used for events and catering: it comes from the 50 bee colonies that live on the factory premises.
Not only bees, but also Exmoor ponies, wild oxen and many other native wildlife species live in harmony with nature and the factory on the off-road track. Since Porsche Leipzig built on the site more than 20 years ago, the former military area has gradually been returned to nature. Boasting specially created wetland biotopes and grazing areas, the site provides a natural habitat for many species of flora and fauna.
The Porsche Experience Center also makes sustainable mobility easy: visitors can charge their electric vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week at one of the most powerful fast-charging stations in Europe.
The Zero Impact Factory concept plays a key role in Porsche Leipzig’s sustainability strategy. The aim is to manufacture without leaving a carbon footprint. A factory tour as part of an event will show you how the company is creating the factory of tomorrow.

4. media city leipzig: Sustainable commitment for over 20 years

media city leipzig is synonymous with state-of-the-art and future-oriented technology in the media sector, innovation and the highest level of expertise in all event formats, whether analogue, digital or hybrid. When it comes to sustainability, media city leipzig is also ahead of the game – and has been for more than 20 years.
Carefully considered and efficient heating, cooling and ventilation strategies, as well as predominantly LED-based lighting systems, combined with an in-house photovoltaic system, help to reduce the building’s carbon footprint: the studios run on 100% green electricity. For more than 10 years, the solar power generated has covered about 15% of the annual electricity needs.

Environmentally friendly practices are standard for TV productions and events. Together with event organisers and agencies, media city leipzig ensures that all productions are carried out in a way that conserves resources and protects the climate. Generators for mobile off-site production are fitted with particulate filters and have VERT® certification. The in-house costume and prop store, as well as the lighting and stage warehouse, allow for eco-friendly recycling, another step towards sustainable events in the spirit of borrowing rather than buying.

Leipzig as a sustainable congress destination

Do you want to organise your conference in a way that is environmentally friendly and conserves resources? Check out the top tips and best-practice examples in the City of Leipzig’s free guide to organising sustainable events (in German). And make sure you read our interview with Ronald Kötteritzsch, Director of Marketing at the Congress Center Leipzig, about Leipziger Messe’s sustainability concept.

Do you have any questions about how to make your event in Leipzig sustainable? Contact us! The Leipzig Convention Team is here to assist and advise you.

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