Geneva’s Local Answer to Global Responsible Event-Organising Expectations

Built in consultation with Geneva’s diverse event industry ecosystem, the guide is practical, accessible, and rooted in local expertise. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent sustainability, but it does bridge the gap between high ambitions and on-the-ground implementation.

Responding to a Growing Need

This guide wasn’t created in a vacuum. After years of experience collaborating with associations and event organisers, a recurring theme emerged leading to the creation of the guide: the desire to make events more responsible, and the challenge of knowing where to start.

“Over the years, the Geneva Convention Bureau has collaborated closely with associations to organise their conferences and congresses,” explains Alain Pittet, Director of the Geneva Convention Bureau. “Through this ongoing partnership, we’ve recognised a significant need from our clients regarding sustainability. Geneva is home to a multitude of local stakeholders and sustainability initiatives, yet event organisers often struggle to identify the appropriate solutions and contact the right people to support their sustainability goals.”

In response, the Geneva Convention Bureau took on the role of facilitator, connecting organisers with the region’s sustainability ecosystem. “Our role is to open the doors to the destination enabling congress organisers to leverage local expertise and implement impactful, environmentally conscious practices throughout their events,” Pittet adds. “We created this guide to serve this purpose.”

From Complexity to Clarity

Organising a conference is a complex endeavour. Between sourcing venues, negotiating with suppliers, and managing logistics, sustainability often ends up slipping down the priority list. This is where the guide hopes to make a difference.

“We aim for this guide to serve as a valuable resource, facilitating the adoption of sustainable practices among congress organisers,” says Laura Alonso Huarte, Sustainability Project Manager at the GTCF. “By providing clear, actionable advice, we hope to make sustainable event management accessible and approachable.”

Rather than prescribing a rigid framework, the guide offers concrete ideas. “It serves as a source of inspiration for event planners to explore sustainable solutions tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Our objective is to empower associations to easily integrate sustainability measures into their congress planning and execution,” Alonso Huarte continues.

What’s Inside the Guide?

The guide is comprehensive, yet focused. It doesn’t stick to theoretical solutions, but instead offers a design for planners to use when navigating real-world challenges. It’s structured around nine key themes: Destination, Food, Waste Management, Transport, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Impact/Legacy, Governance, Venues & Hotels, and Communication.

Each section offers:

• A brief introduction to the topic

• Local insights and “Did you know?” facts about Geneva

• A curated list of relevant service providers

• Concrete actions and measures

• A practical checklist for implementation

On an environmental level, the guide encourages organisers to prioritise local and seasonal catering, reduce single-use materials, and promote Geneva’s excellent public transport options, including the complimentary Geneva Transport Card for overnight guests. Even everyday decisions, like offering vegetarian meals by default or renting reusable tableware, are framed as opportunities to drive positive change.

Inclusion & Legacy Matter Too

With the realisation that sustainability is more than carbon footprints, the guide recognises the importance of social sustainability through its focus on DEI. The City of Geneva has taken strong steps in this area, from gender equity policies and anti-sexism initiatives to accessibility improvements and support for LGBTIQ+ inclusion.

The guide includes suggestions for ensuring events are accessible to all – physically, socially, and culturally. Whether that means providing sign language interpreters, accessible venues, or prayer rooms, the message is clear: everyone should feel welcome in Geneva.

Events can, and should, leave a positive legacy. The guide encourages organisers to think beyond their event dates; to consider how they might benefit the local community, environment, or economy over the long term. Examples range from partnering with local NGOs and running public workshops, to organising team-building activities with a social or environmental focus. The goal is to transform good intentions into measurable impact.

Geneva’s Broader Commitment

Although it’s a new initiative, the guide doesn’t stand alone in the sustainability journey. It’s part of a wider strategy embedded in Geneva’s identity. Switzerland has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and the Canton of Geneva has set its own ambitious target: a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Looking at the bigger picture, Geneva Tourism’s involvement moves past empty words. The Foundation is part of the Swisstainable programme, scoring “Engaged” status, and participates annually in the Global Destination Sustainability Index, where it ranked 46th globally in 2024.

And Geneva walks the talk. From green-powered venues such as the CICG and Palexpo, to the innovative GeniLac system that uses water from Lake Geneva for sustainable heating and cooling, all powered by 100% renewable electricity, the destination has built the infrastructure needed to host responsible events.

Geneva’s approach to sustainability is practical and informed. The new guide ensures that events held there receive beforehand everything they need to be sustainable. “As a destination, we believe it’s our responsibility to reduce barriers and support the event industry in becoming more sustainable and inclusive,” says Alonso Huarte. “Sustainability becomes a far more attainable goal when organisers understand the specific steps they can take.”