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GUIDE

Event Sustainability Guide for MICE in Europe 2026

ET
Easy RFP Team
MAY 25, 2026 · 6 MIN READ
GUIDE

Sustainability is no longer optional in corporate events — it's an attendee expectation, an ESG department requirement and, increasingly, a contractual obligation with clients and partners. A 500-person two-day congress generates an average of 350–500 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent — primarily from air travel (70–80%), accommodation (10–15%) and catering (5–10%).

European hotel sustainability certifications — what to look for

70–80 %
Emissions from delegate travel
10–15 %
Emissions from accommodation
5–10 %
Emissions from catering
−40 %
CO₂ reduction in hybrid format
Expert tip: Don't just ask if a hotel has green certification — request their most recent sustainability report. Actual consumption data (energy per room-night, water per guest, waste diversion rate) tells you far more than any certification logo. Hotels with mature sustainability programmes will share this data readily.

10 concrete sustainability actions for your next event

  1. Choose venue with 100% renewable energy supply
  2. Offer hybrid attendance option to reduce delegate flights
  3. Local and seasonal catering (minimum 40% local produce)
  4. Vegetarian as the default menu option
  5. Eliminate single-use plastics entirely
  6. Offset residual carbon with verified projects (Verra, Gold Standard)
  7. Digital accreditation and materials (app vs. printed programme)
  8. Donate food surplus to local charities
  9. Collective transport from airport (shuttle vs. individual taxis)
  10. Post-event carbon footprint report shared with all attendees

How to embed sustainability in your RFP

Add a dedicated sustainability section to your hotel RFP including: (1) required environmental certification, (2) minimum renewable energy percentage, (3) waste management policy, (4) local/vegetarian menu options, (5) carbon footprint report provision post-event. The best green venues will welcome these questions — poor performers will deflect.

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