35 Guides of  Environmental 
Education

Barcelona is one of the European and world cities that hosts the most 
international congresses. The organisation of congresses has become an 
increasingly important sector of tourism within the city, and thus contributes 
to the image of the city of Barcelona, both in Spain and abroad.
This sector, like society as a whole, is growing increasingly aware of sus-
tainable development. In recent years, environmental criteria have therefore 
gradually been introduced and it is thus increasingly commonplace to refer 
to sustainable or green events. 
The organisation and holding of congresses is an inherent feature of to-
day’s knowledge society. Every day sees the organisation of a broad range 
of events, congresses, seminars, symposia, and conferences, etc., at which 
the professionals from a specific sector come together to discuss and de-
liberate a particular theme. Such processes yield numerous benefits of so-
cialisation, exchange and creation of knowledge, which enable society to 
advance on a daily basis. 
The challenge set by this guide is for these congresses, as processes that 
consume resources and generate environmental impacts, to integrate sus-
tainability in their organisation. Such a greening process can prompt nu-
merous benefits, as it will reduce environmental impact while contributing 
to participants’ awareness.
This new environmental education guide is intended to provide information, 
advice and practical tools that are of use to all those agents involved in 
the organisation of congresses and similar events. It also features both a 
series of good environmental practices, which have already been put into 
practice at many of the congresses organised in the city, and examples of 
international initiatives.
The guide is an innovative product, which we hope will be of use to all of us 
who are working towards a more sustainable city.
Imma Mayol Joan Gaspart
Deputy Mayor for the Environment President of Turisme de Barcelona
Contents
 1. INTRODUCTION 3
1.1. Background to the promotion of sustainability 
 in the events organised in Barcelona 4
1.2. Definition of events and congresses: scope of application 4
1.3. Barcelona: city of congresses 5
2. CONGRESSES AND SUSTAINABILITY 7
2.1. Environmental impacts that arise from holding congresses 8
2.2. Benefits of introducing sustainability criteria 10
2.3. General principles for organisers 11
2.4. Agents involved in holding a congress 12
3. SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA AT CONGRESSES 15
3.1. The four stages of the congress 16
3.2. Administration and logistics 18
3.3. Sites and facilities 22
3.4. Mobility and transport 26
3.5. Responsible consumption and environmentally friendly materials 30
3.6. Minimisation and management of waste 34
3.7. Restaurant and catering services 36
3.8. Publicising the congress, printed material and signage 40
3.9. Communication of sustainability and awareness initiatives 42
4. THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY 47
4.1. Infrastructures 48
4.2. Carbon neutral congress: CO2 offsetting 50
4.3.  Knowledge transfer 53
5. RESOURCES IN THE CITY OF BARCELONA 55
5.1. Environmental management of the city: 
 another asset for congresses 56
5.2. Tourism activities in the city 57
6. CHECKLISTS 59
7. FURTHER INFORMATION 66
Introduction 1
Tourism in Barcelona is a valuable asset for 
the city and accounts for a considerable vol-
ume of the service sector. Its positive reper-
cussions are numerous as it has significant 
associated social and economic impact and 
is a driving force for the city of Barcelona.
Tourist activities, however, give rise to some 
environmental impacts that require consider-
ation. These activities need to incorporate the 
sustainability criteria that govern city policy 
and thus contribute to the model of Barce-
lona as a sustainable city.
A significant and growing area of tourism is 
business tourism, to which this guide refers. 
This guide is specifically intended to provide 
practical tools so that promoters may organ-
ise more sustainable congresses.
.3
1.1 1.2 
Background  definition  
to the promotion of events and 
of sustainaBility  congresses: 
in the events scope of 
organised in application
Barcelona A congress is a meeting that brings toge-
The city of Barcelona is committed to the envi- ther a certain number of people in order to 
ronment and for years has been working to en- discuss and deal with a specific, previously 
courage sustainability in the city’s festive and established subject. 
cultural acts and events. Barcelona’s expe- Although this guide is mainly focused on 
rience in this area dates back to 2002, when the organisation of congresses, the good 
sustainability criteria were first introduced at sustainability practices described are also 
large events such as the Feria de Abril, the fes- applicable to other types of similar events 
tive events of different districts, and the 2004 such as conventions, conferences, technical 
Universal Forum of Cultures. In recent years it symposia and fairs.
has also worked to reduce the environmental 
impact of conventions and congresses.
4.
1.3 
Barcelona:  
city of 
congresses
Barcelona is one of the European and world’s In recent years, Barcelona has emerged as 
cities that hosts the most international con- one of Europe’s most attractive and dynamic 
gresses, and appeared in fifth place in the cities, which has made it a favourite destina-
ICCA (International Congress and Conven- tion for incentive trips. Barcelona is a cultu-
tion Association) ranking of 2007, with a total ral, avant-garde, well-communicated Medite-
of 106 meetings, and in second place for at- rranean city that enjoys a temperate climate 
tendee numbers. Many leading multinationals throughout the year. It has a very plentiful and 
choose Barcelona for their conventions and diverse range of services available for the 
product presentations. In 2007, congress and organisation of congresses and large- and 
business trip activity rose by 33.5% over and small-scale meetings, exhibitions and product 
above the previous year and the city welco- presentations at modern and well-equipped 
med a total of 629,704 visitors. facilities. It also offers a high number of mo-
dern hotels. All these characteri-stics make 
Barcelona a city of congresses.
.5

Congresses  2
and  
sustainability
The concept of sustainability has been introduced 
into different areas of our society, and into differ-
ent spheres of business activity and the service 
sector. This trend has also been extended to the 
field of congress organisation and a growing de-
mand has been discerned in society for this field 
to incorporate sustainability criteria in its opera-
tions. 
Congresses have a great capacity to prompt 
change and to create a new sustainabi- 
lity culture. The main objective when introduc-
ing sustainability criteria in an event is to mini-
mise the environmental impact that arises from 
holding it. The introduction of good sustainability 
practices nonetheless also acts as an example 
and enhances the awareness of attendees at the 
event. 
.7
2.1 
environmental · Arising from the use of materials:
impacts that Holding an event always involves the con-sumption of natural resources both to pro-
arise from duce printed material and to prepare meals 
holding and gifts, etc. Consumption of these prod-
ucts has some environmental impacts asso-
congresses ciated with the life cycle of these products, 
in other words, from the purchase of the raw 
The staging of any congress generates en- materials, to their production, use and con-
vironmental impacts arising from travel, from sumption. This use or consumption of ma-
the consumption of resources and from the terials prompts generation of waste, which 
materials necessary to hold the event. It is im- must be managed properly to minimise envi-
portant to identify these impacts and act to ronmental impact.
minimise them.
If three areas of influence are considered, the 
main environmental impacts are: · Arising from mobility:
Events normally bring together considerable 
numbers of participants (speakers, attendees, 
· Arising from the use of sites: and organisers) who travel from their towns of 
Holding an act on any site involves the con- origin to the congress venue. This travel has 
sumption of energy resources (mainly fossil different impacts on the environment, which 
fuels) to produce the energy necessary for depend on the means of transport used and 
climate control, the lighting of rooms, and the distance covered. Most means of transport, 
the operation of electrical and electronic however, consume energy, be it in the form of 
apparatuses. The consumption of these fossil fuels, as in the case of driven vehicles or 
energy resources involves the atmospheric aeroplanes, or of electricity, as in the case of 
emission of greenhouse gases, which cause trains. Consumption of this energy gives rise to 
global climate change. Another natural re- atmospheric emissions that contribute to glo-
source that is consumed on the sites is wa- bal climate change.
ter (both for cleaning the sites and in the 
bathrooms), which generates waste-water.
8.
How much CO2 can an How much waste can a 
international congress congress generate?
generate?
The international EcoProcura congress (held The First Latin American Congress on Cor-
in Barcelona in September 2006) was attend- porate Responsibility held in Asturias in June 
ed by a total of 352 people from 50 different 2006 and attended by 350 participants, gen-
countries. Holding the congress gave rise to erated 300 kg of waste, which was properly 
the emission of 644 tons of CO2. 99.8% of 
recycled.
emissions were generated by attendee travel, 
while the remaining 0.2% corresponded to 
trips for technical visits and to the energy con-
sumed in the lighting and climate control of 
the areas where the event was held.
.9
2.2 
Benefits of 
introducing 
sustainaBility 
criteria
The introduction of sustainability criteria into 
the organisation of a congress provides for a 
reduction in the environmental impact of the ECONOMIC BENEFITS
event, as it prompts numerous environmental · Reduction in energy costs
and economic benefits, and other advantages · Reduction in the costs of raw materials
such as improvements in international image 
and projection. The main benefits are listed · Reduction in the costs of waste treatment
below: OTHER BENEFITS
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS · Improvement in relations with the local 
· Rationalisation of the consumption of natural community 
resources · Improved international competitiveness
· Reduction in the generation of waste and · Improvement in the image of the congress 
application of the proper treatment of the and of the organising entities
waste generated · The attraction of a public that is increasingly 
· Decrease in the pollution load in waters aware and demanding in sustainability matters
· Rationalisation of energy consumption with · Easier access to credit lines and sponsors
energy efficiency measures
· Reduction in the emissions of pollutant gas-
es into the atmosphere because of a rational 
consumption of energy
· Reduction in noise generated, to prevent 
discomfort for attendees and the neighbour-
ing population 
· Reduction in the environmental impact as-
sociated with transport and the prioritisation 
of collective means of transport 
· Enhancement of awareness and improve-
ment in the habits of attendees at the event, 
by means of specific informative measures 
to communicate good environmental prac-
tices
10.
2.3 
general 
principles for 
organisers
When setting out to organise a more sustai- 
nable event, the sustainability project must be 
a priority in order to implement it successfu-
lly. The directors of the congress must assu-
me a commitment from the start to ensuring 
that the established sustainability premises are 
complied with. The greening project must be 
linked with the whole organisation process of 
the congress itself. The organisers must work 
according to the following premises:
· Assumption of the event’s sustainability pro-
ject at all organisational levels, particularly 
by the senior managers of the event.
· Destination of human and economic resour-
ces necessary to achieve the establi-shed 
objectives.
· Designation of a manager to ensure com-
pliance with the sustainability criteria. 
· Involvement in the project of all the agents 
associated with it (personnel from mainte- Being sustainable  
nance, the catering service, site managers, saves money
and the technical office, etc.).
· The initiatives undertaken must be visible 
and participants informed about them. In accordance with the Convention Industry 
· Involvement of attendees in the congress Council of Canada, the simple act of recover-
greening project. ing and reusing attendees’ ID badges at an 
· Devotion of effort to enhancing awareness event attended by 1,300 congress partici-
pants yields a saving of 680 euros.
of participants of environmental aspects 
and problems. At the Environment and Energy Conference 
held in Toronto in 2007, the implementation 
of the Zero Waste Event programme ensured 
that 98% of the reusable materials did not end 
up on a dump.
At the Greenbuild 2004 conference, organ-
ised by US Green Building Council, bulk li-
quid dispensers and compostable cups were 
used. This initiative prompted a saving of 
25,000 dollars and prevented the generation 
of 48,000 plastic bottles as waste.
.11
2.4 In the city of Barcelona, the main agents asso-
ciated with the organisation of congresses, to 
agents involved  whom the guide is addressed, are:
in holding  · Turisme de Barcelona: comprises the Bar-
a congress celona Convention Bureau, which attracts congresses to the city, provides information 
on the congresses held in Barcelona, and 
The organisation of a congress involves many gives advice and resources to assist organi-
different agents, ranging from the promoters sation. It has 350 members, all of which are 
of the event to the attendees, and including companies that specialise in providing servi-
the managers of the sites where it is to be ces to congresses.
held, the catering company, the managers of 
the hotels where congress participants are · Barcelona City Council: offers logistics and 
staying, sponsors, and suppliers, etc. All these the services necessary for a congress to 
agents involved must also collaborate in the operate properly (transport, waste collection, 
organisation of a sustainable event. It is the- and street cleaning, etc.).
refore important that they are informed about · Fair and convention sites in Barcelona: the 
the greening project and that the organisers city has different sites specialised in staging 
define the tasks and responsibilities of ever- fairs and conventions. The main sites are: Fira 
yone as specifically as possible in order to de Barcelona (that runs the ServiFira service, 
ensure the success of the environmental ini- which advises and offers services to organi-
tiatives performed. sers), the Catalonia Palace of Congresses 
and the Barcelona International Convention 
Centre.
12.
· Barcelona Hotel Association: a business Good practice 
association that represents the tourist ac-
commodation establishments of Barcelona french congress professionals 
and its surrounding area. agree on commitment to sustain-
· Barcelona Restaurant Association: ability. a bu-
siness association that represents different Upon the initiative of the anaé (Asso-
types of establishments such as restaurants, ciation des Agences de Communica-
bars, cafeterias and catering companies. tion Événementielle), French asso-
· Professional Congress Organisers (PCO): ciations and professional unions in the 
companies that organise congresses and organisation of events have agreed to 
conventions, etc. work together to promote sustainability 
in the organisation of events and to 
· Travel agencies (Catalan Association encourage specific tools and solutions. 
of Travel Agencies): association of travel 
agencies and companies associated with This project has involved the publication 
tourism. There are agencies specialised in of l’Éco-Guide - carnet de route vers un 
the organisation of congresses, conventions événement éco-responsable, a guide 
and incentives. that gathers together specific tools 
and solutions to promote sustainability 
aimed at sector professionals.
Further informacion: 
www.eco-evenement.org
.13
14.
Sustainability 3
criteria at  
congresses
To encourage the process of intro- This chapter also presents the good 
ducing sustainability criteria at con- sustainability practices that must 
gresses, it is important to work with be applied in the different areas of 
consideration for the different stag- operation in each of the four stages:
es involved in holding an event and 
establish the sustainability measures · Administration and logistics
that need to be performed in each stage. · Sites and facilities
· Mobility and transport
The first part of this chapter of the guide 
features a description of the four stages · Responsible consumption and  
that characterise an event, which are the  environmentally friendly materials
following: · Minimisation and management of   
 waste
· Planning · Restaurant and catering services
· Organisation · Publicising the congress, printed   
· Celebration  material and signage
· Disassembly and evaluation. · Communication of sustainability   
 initiatives and awareness
.15
Some advice:
 · When you decide to opt for a more sustain- · The list of good practices presented in this 
able congress, we recommend that rather than guide is not exhaustive. It features some of the 
introducing all the good practices featured most important; those which have greater envi-
in this guide suddenly, you should instead ronmental repercussions that the authors of the 
start by incorporating just some; starting with guide have put in practice at an event or have 
those that might be easier and that are more had successful experiences at other events. 
visible to attendees. In forthcoming editions As well as any of the sustainability criteria pro-
you may incorporate others, particularly those posed, there might be other good practices 
that are more logistically complex. that may be applied to ensure compliance with 
the environmental criteria. We encourage or-
ganisers to design and apply new environmen-
tal practices.
3.1 
the four stages  This stage must include definition of the most 
of the congress emblematic measures performed, such as the organisation of a carbon neutral congress that 
 will determine the strategy to be followed in 
Stage 1: planning the sustainability project. Some important de-
cisions that, to a large extent, will affect the 
This is the initial stage of the congress and the event’s environmental impact, such as the 
time at which the most significant decisions, choice of site where the event is to be held, 
which will determine the possibility of introdu- may also be taken.
cing subsequent environmental measures, are 
taken. Stage 2: organisation 
 
This initial stage must feature a definition of the In this second stage prior to holding the con-
sustainability policy, the measures that must be gress, the most specific aspects of the con-
undertaken, and the objectives to be met. The gress are defined: development of the publi-
manager or managers who ensure complian- city materials, and the hiring of services and 
ce with environmental commitments must be suppliers, etc.
appointed.
This stage involves taking decisions with po-
This is the moment at which to decide whether tential environment impact such as the hiring 
it is necessary to hold an attended meeting or of services and suppliers, and the production 
whether the event may be staged using lower of invitations and the programme, etc. Decision 
impact formats such as videoconferences. It is taking should incorporate environmental con-
also important to choose the best time of year siderations. During the organisational stage it 
for the meeting. If it is held in months when it is very important for all the agents involved to 
is neither very hot nor very cold, the energy be aware of and take part in the sustainability 
costs arising from climate control can be re- project.
duced. 
16.
Stage 3: celebration Stage 4: disassembly  
During the celebration stage, all the measures and evaluation
planned in the two previous stages are put into 
Completion of the event is followed by the 
practice. 
work of disassembly and the cleaning the 
sites used. This stage also includes production 
During this stage participants should receive 
of publications and reports on the results of the 
all the information related to the sustainability 
congress.
project. Monitoring should also be performed 
to detect whether it is working properly or 
Once the congress has finished it should 
to identify shortfalls in the environmental ini-
be guaranteed that during disassembly, the 
tiatives that have been introduced. Monitoring 
waste generated is properly treated and that 
will depend on the size and scope of the event 
materials which may be reused other events 
and the sustainability strategy that has been 
are recovered.
followed. Some important aspects that should 
nonetheless be monitored and for which data 
It is also the time to assess whether the es-
should be collected are:
tablished environmental objectives have been 
 
met, and to inform all the agents invo-lved in 
· The means of transport 
holding the event of the results. 
· The quantity of CO2 emissions
· The quantity of waste generated 
Summary table 
For ease of presentation and subsequent application, the good practices are summarised in a 
double-entry table, organised according to sustainability criteria (rows) and the stage in which the 
good practice should be applied (columns).
.17
STAGES OF THE EVENT
3.2 Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation
administration  Good · Train technical office mem-
and logistics environmental bers with regard to the environmental character-
practices in istics of the congress and 
During the organisation and celebration of a administrative the initiatives that must be 
congress, tasks of administration and logis- tasks performed.
tics account for much of the organising team’s 
effort. These tasks, which are performed at the 
offices where an event is being organised, al-
beit less visible, have numerous environmental 
repercussions and must also be considered in 
the sustainability project.
Where?
It is necessary to consider the work areas for 
the administrative tasks necessary for the or- Minimisation of 
ganisation of the congress: printed material
· Technical offices of the organising 
 committee 
· Professional congress organiser offices 
· Technical office at the congress site
 Offices of the fair sites
What?
Sustainability criteria in administration and lo- Use of new  · Minimise the number of 
technologies  attended meetings held gistics:
to reduce travel and prioritise more sus-tainable formulas such as 
· Application of good environmental practices videoconferences.
in administrative tasks
· Minimisation of the use of paper and printed 
materials 
· Encouragement of the use of new techno-
logies to reduce the consumption of paper 
and also to reduce the number of journeys 
made by attendees
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
18.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration             Stage 4: disassembly  
                                                and evaluation  
· Minimise the consumption of · Use environmentally friendly ma-
fungible material. terials in offices.
· Always use recycled or chlo- · Provide containers in offices for 
rine-free paper. selective collection of the waste 
· Minimise the printing of docu- generated.
ments and always print on both 
sides.
· Use reusable office products 
(rechargeable batteries, pro-
pelling pencils, refillable mark-
ers, etc.)
· If electronic material is pur-
chased, prioritise that with 
proven energy efficiency.
· Prioritise materials with an envi-
ronmental quality label.
· Encourage attendees to register · Provide the communications and · If any publication or docu-
and obtain credentials using information of interest on the ment resulting from the con-
electronic and online means. website and avoid printing this gress is produced, issue it 
· Confirm registrations by e-mail material. using electronic means.
or by telephone and avoid the 
use of written means.
· Request speakers to submit 
their communications on USB 
sticks.
· Minimise the number of at- · Encourage alternative means of 
tended meetings held and participation and following the 
prioritise more sustainable congress to attended conferenc-
formulas such as videocon- es (Internet videoconferen-ces, 
ferences, particularly at con- providing virtual forums and com-
gresses where members of the munities on the congress web-
organising or scientific commit- site).
tee are from different countries 
or regions. 
You may find further information on environmentally friendly office material in Barcelona City Council’s Green Office guide in the section 
on office material of the website of the more sustainable Council project: www.bcn.cat/mediambient
.19
Where has this been 
done?
At the iclei local action oceania con-
gress held in Melbourne (Australia) in May 
2007, attendees were given a Green Stick 
(memory stick) with information on the pro-
gramme, communications, and summaries of 
prior sessions, etc., to replace the conven-
tional file of documents. The organisation also 
prioritised electronic means for publicising the 
event and for organisational procedures, and 
all printed documents were on 100% recycled 
paper.
At the ecoprocura 2006 international con-
gress, held in Barcelona, an effort was made 
to minimise paper consumption. Registrations 
were thus performed online and pre-senta-
tions were uploaded onto the congress web 
page in electronic format. Documentation is-
sued to attendees, which was always on re-
cycled paper printed on both sides, was also 
minimised. 
At the emsu 2008: a new knowledge cul-
ture international congress, virtual participa-
tion was encouraged to minimise the number 
of attending participants and also to reduce 
the environmental impact by minimising travel. 
An EMSU virtual community with over 170 
members was established. Along these lines, 
processes associated with the congress were 
also organised at different points in the world 
at which working seminars associated with 
the subject of the congress were held.
20.
Good sustainability 
practices aimed at 
professional congress 
organisers (PCO)
· Environmentally friendly materials must be 
used in offices, i.e. they must be reusable, 
easily recyclable, and/or have some type of 
environmental quality credentials, etc.
· Minimisation of paper consumption, prioritis-
ing electronic media, both in internal tasks 
and in interaction with attendees.
· Encouragement of the purchase of electron-
ic devices with energy efficiency credentials.
· Rational use of energy, switching off elec-
tronic appliances when not in use (not leav-
ing them in stand-by mode) and switching 
lights off when leaving sites.
· Prioritisation of low-pollution means of trans-
port in daily travel (public transport, travel by 
bicycle and on foot, etc.). 
· When hiring services and seeking suppliers, 
negotiating and establishing contractually, 
or in the books of specifications, the envi-
ronmental measures that must be performed 
while the event is taking place.
.21
3.3 STAGES OF THE EVENT
sites  Stage 1: planning         Stage 2: organisation
and facilities
Sites that are well · Choose sites that are 
well integrated in the 
The choice of sites where a congress is to connected with public transport network.
be held is a strategic and essential decision the public trans-
from an environmental perspective, as many port network and 
aspects such as energy consumption or travel on foot
depend on the chosen site. It is therefore very 
important to consider a series of factors with Universal acces- · Choose sites with ac-
regard to accessibility and sustainability when sibility to sites cesses adapted for peo-
choosing where the event is to take place. ple with reduced mobility.(there should be 
no architectural 
Where? barriers)
The different sites that are used during a 
Efficient use of · Site size should suit the congress must be taken into consideration:
the energy used number of participants to 
· Congress site ensure efficient use of re-for climate con- sources.
· Places where complementary activities are trol and for light- · Choose sites that allow 
held (reception, dinners, etc.) ing for sector-specific light-
· Hotels where speakers and congress partici- ing and climate control in 
pants are accommodated different areas.· Use low power con-
sumption lighting.
What? · Choose sites where good 
use is made of natural 
Sustainability criteria that must be complied light.
with on the sites: · Areas such as toilets should be equipped with 
presence detectors.
· Sites that are well connected with the public 
transport network and on foot 
· Universal accessibility to sites (there should Efficient use · Choose sites that have 
be no architectural barriers) of water mechanisms for making efficient use of water 
· Efficient use of the energy used for climate (saving mechanisms, 
control and for lighting dual flush cisterns, etc.). 
· Efficient use of water
· Use of sites that implement good environ-
mental practices and have some type of 
environmental certification or equivalent
Use of sites that 
implement good 
how? environmental 
Good practices that should be implemented to practices
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
22.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning         Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration              Stage 4. disassembly 
                                                  and evaluation  
· Choose hotels near the event · Encourage the use of public 
site and/or that are well con- transport and inform attendees 
nected by public transport. about public transport coverage.
· Signpost the routes that must · Provide services such as transla-
be taken by people with re- tion into sign language if there are 
duced mobility to access the attendees with special sensory 
compounds where the event is needs.
being held.
· Agree with site maintenance · Ensure maintenance of the estab- · Calculate consumption of en-
technicians on matters such as lished comfort temperature while ergy and of associated emis-
switching lights on and off, and the event is being held. sions.
the temperature of areas, etc., · Use lighting rationally, switching 
and inform them about con- on lights solely when there is not 
gress energy saving criteria. enough natural light.
· Establish a comfortable tem-
perature in rooms (20-24ºC in 
winter and 23-26 ºC in sum-
mer).
· Water consumption points such 
as toilets should feature post-
ers providing information about 
the good environmental practice 
of saving water and indicating 
how water may be saved at the 
facilities where the event is being 
held.
· Choose hotels that have some · If plant decoration is used on the · Ensure that the plants used 
type of environmental certifica- sites, use species that are native as decorative items are trans-
tion or that implement environ- and have low-water requirements planted or that they are prop-
mentally beneficial practices.* and potted plants rather than cut erly treated (composting). 
· Inform attendees at the event plants. · Ensure that decoration mate-
of the environmental character- rials are recovered for future 
istics of the different hotels at events.
which they are staying.*
*Consult the More Sustainable Hotels guide where there is information on hotels in Barcelona with environmental quality cer-
tification. The guide also features an explanation of good practices and other resources to enable hotels to implement proper 
environmental management.
.23
Where has  
this been done?
In 2007, the Sydney Convention and Exhi- The Edinburgh International Conference 
bition Centre was awarded certification as a Centre (EICC) has promoted the sustain-
Green Globe Benchmarked Convention Cen- ability of its premises and of the events that 
tre. This certification was established by the are held there since it opened in 1995. Effort 
World Travel and Tourism Council in 1993 and has been made to improve energy efficiency 
is applied to the tourism sector worldwide. The and the waste collection circuits of buildings. 
Sydney Centre was the second convention The EICC also has a “sustainable team” to 
centre to be awarded this certification after give advice and provide practical tools to 
the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This ac- organisers of events with regard to the choice 
creditation is proof that proper sustainability of environmentally friendly suppliers, and how 
management is implemented in different areas to stage a carbon neutral event, etc. The Cen-
such as the consumption of energy and water, tre was certified with ISO 14001 in 2002, 
the use of paper and chemical products, was- and received a Gold award from VisitScot-
te management and in the sustainability policy. land’s Green Tourism Business Scheme in 
Some of the outstanding initiatives in Sydney 2001. With these initiatives the centre has 
include the implementation of a waste reduc- succeeded in reducing its energy bill (with 
tion and a green purchasing programme, the a saving of £60,000), its consumption of 
waste recycling system (which has prompted paper (a 46% reduction) and its generation 
an increase from 10% to 76% in the amount of waste (a 23% reduction) and has achieved 
of waste recycled in four years), and the ins- other environmental benefits and savings. Fur-
tallation of intelligent lighting control systems. ther information: www.eicc.co.uk
Further information: www.scec.com.au 
 
24.
Good sustainability · Efficient management of water through the use 
practices for fair sites of mechanisms to reduce consumption (flow reducers, and dual flush cisterns, etc.).
in Barcelona · Introduction of saving and energy efficiency 
criteria by means of initiatives such as the in-
On account of high attendee numbers, the stallation of lighting and climate control sen-
creation and destruction of stands, and the sors and timers.
production of waste, the fair sector has one · Encouragement of renewable energy sources 
of the greatest environmental impacts in the in fair site buildings.
area of events and congresses. It is therefore · Implementation of a waste reduction and 
important that fair sites should incorporate minimisation programme.
good environmental practices, some of which · A circuit for the selective collection of differ-
are listed below: ent waste fractions.
· Environmental certification or credentials Examples of good 
that guarantee environmentally friendly man-
agement. practices
· Encouragement of the use of reusable mate-
rials and structures (material for covering the In 2002, the SEXI project (Sustainable Ex-
floor, stands, and signage material, etc.), to hibition Industry Project), promoted by dif-
reduce the quantity of waste generated. ferent fair sector associations, was initiated in 
· Informing and enhancing the awareness of staff the United Kingdom. The project is intended 
and clients about the environmental policy and to reduce the waste generated at exhibitions 
good practices being implemented. and fairs, which amounts to a total of 120,000 
· Incorporation of environmental and ethical tons of waste a year with an associated cost 
criteria in purchases and in the hiring of serv- of £40,000,000.
ices.
.25
3.4 STAGES OF THE EVENT
moBility  Stage 1: planning              Stage 2: organisation
and transport
Encouragement · Choose sites that are 
In holding a congress, particularly one with an of travel on  well integrated in the 
public transport net-
international scope, attendee travel is the main public transport work.
source of the CO2 emissions generated at the 
event. It is therefore of prime importance to in-
troduce good practices that encourage more 
sustainable mobility.
Encouragement 
Where? of collective 
private transport
All travel, from the moment the organisation of 
the congress starts to its end, should be taken 
into consideration.
· Travel of speakers and of members of the or-
ganising and scientific committee Use of low 
· Travel of attendees pollution 
· Travel for technical visits and parallel activi- vehicles
ties during the congress
· Internal travel of goods and of logistics serv-
ices
What?
Sustainability criteria in mobility and transport: Encouragement 
of travel on foot 
· Encouragement of travel on public transport or by bicycle
· Encouragement of travel on foot or by bicycle
· Promotion of private collective transport
· Use of low-pollution vehicles
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
26.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning              Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration             Stage 4. disassembly  
                                                and evaluation  
· Inform attendees about public · Distribute public transport tick- · Monitor the means of trans-
transport options and coverage. ets to attendees. port used.
· Organise technical visits on · Use public transport on techni-
public transport. cal visits.
· Provide, on the website for ex- · If there is not sufficient public 
ample, shared transport for at- transport coverage, establish a 
tendees from the same point of shuttle or collective coach serv-
origin. ice.
· Provide information on the · If public buses are used, priori- · If vehicles are used for disas-
closest gas stations that sell tise those that use low-pollution sembly, ensure that they use 
biodiesel. fuels. biofuels or are electrical.
· If a transport service is con- · Use biofuels in internal and offi-
tracted, make sure its vehicles cial vehicles whenever possible.
are electrical or use low-pollu-
tion fuels.
· Organise parallel activities by bi-
· Ensure short distances among cycle.
the different sites where con- · Provide information on route 
gress activities are being held. times on foot and by bicycle 
· Ensure enough bicycle park- among different sites.
ing spaces and if there are not · Provide information on options 
sufficient, create provisional available in the city for hiring bi-
spaces. cycles.
· Provide a secure place to leave 
folding bicycles. 
.27
Where has it been 
done?
The Convention of Barcelona Agenda 21 
Signatories (2005) featured an activity in 
which all attendees who came by bicycle did 
so together. Extra cycle parks were installed 
in front of the convention site to ensure that 
everyone could park them securely. The con-
vention also contracted a messenger service 
that used electric vehicles (Trèvol).
  
At the COP11 United Nations Climate 
Change Conference (Montreal, 2005), a 
fleet of 65 coaches powered by biodiesel was 
provided to cover the travel of 10,000 attend-
ees on technical visits, at official meals and 
on para-llel activities. 4,743 public transport 
tickets were also distributed among delegates 
with a discount of 30% on the original price.
28.
Good environmental · Minimisation of the consumption of paper and 
of other products.
practices for travel · Performance of selective collection of the 
agencies waste generated.
· Efficient use of energy and of water.
Travel agencies also play an active role in the or- · Informing and enhancing awareness of clients 
ganisation of congresses and should also intro- on how to reduce environmental, social and 
duce good environmental practices both in their cultural impact at destinations.
daily operations and in the products they offer.
· Advertising of their products in a way that does 
· Definition of a sustainability policy, in which not have a negative impact on natural and cul-
their commitment to the environmental, socio- tural heritage.
cultural and economic aspects of their activi- · Provision of support and collaboration in the 
ties, products and services is established. development of skills and development of pro-
· Implementation of an environmental manage- grammes at destinations where they ope-rate.
ment system in the company. · Prioritisation of low-pollution means of trans-
· Training of workers and other personnel asso- port and public transport.
ciated with the travel agency. · Provision of information on the environmental 
· Establishment of criteria of purchasing and management of the hotels where clients may 
hiring of suppliers that include sustainability stay, and prioritising those hotels that imple-
criteria. ment good environmental practices.
· Use of environmentally friendly fungible prod- · Provision of information on the opportunities 
ucts (such as recycled paper) in offices. available to offset CO2 emissions arising from 
clients’ plane, bus and train journeys.
.29
3.5 STAGES OF THE EVENT
responsiBle Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation
consumption and  
environmentally Use of environ-mentally and 
friendly ethically correct 
materials office material
Holding a congress involves the consump-
tion of many materials that may, depending on 
their nature, have a great impact on the envi- Environmentally · If a gift item is given, it 
ronment. Both in the purchasing pro-cesses friendly materi- must have a use and not 
of these materials and in the hiring of services, become waste at the als issued to 
it is therefore very important to consider envi- end of the congress.attendees
ronmental criteria.
Where?
The areas in which materials are purchased 
and acquired must be considered:
· Technical offices (office material)
· Materials issued to attendees Hiring of servic- · Inform possible suppli-
· Catering and restaurant services es that incorpo- ers of the sustainability policy and objectives.
· Logistics services rate sustainabil-
ity and ethical 
criteria
What?
General criteria in matters of responsible con-
sumption:
· Use of environmentally and ethically correct 
office material 
· Environmentally friendly materials issued to 
attendees
· Hiring of services that incorporate sustain-
ability and ethical criteria
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
30.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration             Stage 4. disassembly               and evaluation  
 
· Acquire and use environmen-
tally friendly office material (see 
section entitled “Administration 
and logistics”)
· Prioritise materials with an en-
vironmental quality label.
· If a document holder is issued, · Avoid issuing writing material · Recovery of writing material 
it should be a bag made of and paper, or give them only to and document holder. Donat-
cloth or similar material that those people who ask for them. ing this material to a charita-
can be used later. · If writing material is issued, it ble association may be stud-
should be reusable (propelling ied.
pencil type) or made with Mater- · Recover the ID cards of at-
Bi®. tendees for future events.
· Attendees’ ID cards should be 
made from cardboard and the 
name should be written on a 
sticker so it may be reused.
· Introduce environmental clauses · Ensure that companies comply · Ensure that companies com-
in terms and conditions for hir- with commitments acquired. ply with commitments ac-
ing when necessary. quired.
· Hire the services of social and 
work reintegration companies 
(catering, preparation of mate-
rial and gifts, etc.).
· Encourage promoters to share 
the project’s sustainability ob-
jectives. Specific financing can 
be found to perform certain ini-
tiatives.
· Contracted suppliers and com-
panies should be local to re-
duce the environmental impact 
of transport.
.31
Where has this been 
done?
At the ecoprocura international congress 
(Barcelona, 2006) attendees were given a 
PVC document holder made from recycled ad-
vertising banners. The bag was manufactured 
on a prisoners’ social rehabilitation project. 
The Multiple Sclerosis Federation prepared 
the materials in the bags.
 
At the COP11 United Nations Climate 
Change Conference, held in Montreal in 
2005, free second-hand coats were provided 
by a social economy company to delegates 
from warmer countries. At the end of the con-
ference the coats were donated to a charita-
ble organisation.
Good practices for the 
Barcelona Convention 
Bureau (BCB)
The BCB is an organisation that advises the 
organisers of congresses and conventions 
held in Barcelona. As a support service to the 
organisation of congresses, it is a key agent 
in making events in the city more sustainable.
· Promoting the organisation of congresses on 
the basis of sustainability criteria.
· Internalising good environmental practices in 
offices and in their daily routines.
· Informing organisers on more sustainable op-
tions when choosing sites, travel, and catering 
services, etc. when requested.
· Promotion of parallel activities and incentive 
visits that encourage sustainability and are 
aimed at enhancing attendee awareness.
32.
.33
3.6 STAGES OF THE EVENT
minimisation  Stage 1: planning       Stage 2: organisation
and management   
Minimisation  · Implement a programme of Waste to minimise waste at ori-of waste gin.
Appropriate measures need to be taken to mini- generation 
mise and properly manage the waste generated 
at the congress.
Where? Selective waste · Plan a selective collec-
The areas in which waste is generated need to collection tion circuit for the waste that is expected.
be taken into account:
· Congress activities and sites 
· Catering and restaurant services
· Materials issued to attendees
What?
Sustainability criteria in matters of waste:
· Minimisation of waste generation
· Selective waste collection
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
34.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning       Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration             Stage 4. disassembly   
                                                 and evaluation  
 
· Minimise printed documenta- · Minimise the documentation is- · Monitor and evaluate the 
tion by encouraging electronic sued to attendees. quantity of waste generated.
media. · Minimise materials issued to at-
· Minimise disposable materials tendees (writing material, bags, 
by prioritising those that are re- gifts, etc.).
usable
· Ensure there are enough con- · Inform attendees about selective · Ensure that during disas-
tainers for different fractions collection and about different sembly all waste is properly 
in all the places where the pro- fractions that are collected sepa- managed, collect the differ-
duction of waste is expected rately. ent fractions separately, and 
(coffee areas, meeting rooms, · Monitor proper waste manage- recover materials that may be 
etc.). ment by the agents involved (ca- reused at future events.
tering services, cleaning ser-vic-
es, attendees, etc.).
Where has this been 
done?
The first congress of corporate social The fira de Barcelona has selective collec-
responsibility, held in Asturias in June tion wastebaskets, distributed throughout the 
2006, featured the design of a selective col- fair sites for attendees to deposit the waste 
lection system at the congress site and at ho- they generate. 
tels. The quantities of waste generated both at The wastebaskets have three differentiated 
the site and at the hotels were monitored and sections for refuse, packs and paper.
throughout the congress attendees were kept 
informed about the quantities produced.
In addition to recycling, a great effort was also 
made to minimise the generation of waste at 
origin.
Source: Environment Office (UAB)
.35
3.7 STAGES OF THE EVENT
restaurant  Stage 1: planning          Stage 2: organisation
and catering  
Minimisation  · When catering services services are hired, agree on the of waste  initiatives and nature of 
generation  the service.
Catering and restaurant services are some in catering  
of the main generators of waste and are very services
visible for attendees. It is therefore important 
for these services to take sustainability criteria 
into consideration.
Where?
Services associated with meals and catering Recycling 
for the event must be considered: of the different 
· Catering services fractions 
· Restaurants of waste 
generated 
What?
Sustainability criteria in restaurants and cate-
ring: Encouragement · When catering services 
of local, season- are hired, agree on the ini-
· Minimisation of waste generation in catering al or fair trade tiatives and nature of the 
services food and drink service with suppliers.
· Recycling of the different fractions of waste products
generated
· Encouragement of local, seasonal or fair tra-
de food and drink products
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
36.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning          Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration            Stage 4. disassembly   
           and evaluation  
 
· Adapt the quantity of food to · Use reusable ceramic crockery. If · Give excess food to a charit-
suit the number of people reg- it cannot be reused, make sure it able organisation.
istered as much as possible. is compostable. · Avoid the use of environmen-
· Avoid the use of plastic packs tally hazardous cleaning prod-
and packaged products. ucts.
· Serve drinks in glass recipients. 
· Provide water in bulk containers.
· Use reusable tablecloths and 
napkins. If this is not possible, 
they should be in recycled paper.
· Collect waste selectively.
· Provide containers in catering · In meal and coffee break zones 
zones for the generation of all and in kitchens, containers must 
the fractions that are expected. be visible and appropriately 
labelled.
· Ensure that suppliers comply with 
· Prioritise local, seasonal and the agreed criteria.
organically-grown foods. · Inform attendees about the eco-
· Provide menus for vegeta-rians. logical or fair trade features of the 
· Serve healthy foods and drinks foods served.
(juices, fruit).
· Serve fair trade products (cof-
fee, sugar, etc.).
.37
Where has this been 
done?
The VII Conference of the City Educational 
Project (Barcelona, 2006) served seasonal 
fruit (mandarins) and fair trade coffee.
At the third session of the United Nations 
World Urban Forum, held in Vancouver in 
June 2006, fair trade coffee and organic milk 
and sugar were served, reusable crockery 
and biodegradable cups were used, and bulk 
packs were prioritised. All organic waste ge-
nerated was composted and 15,000 bottles 
of Earth Water, made by a company that dona-
ted 100% of the profits to the United Nations 
Refugee Agency, were served.
38.
Good environmental · Provision of meals that incorporate local, sea-
practices for catering sonal, organically farmed, fair trade and res-ponsible products.
companies and · Use of reusable towels and napkins (cloth) 
restaurants and, if this is not possible, use of towels and napkins in recycled paper.
Catering companies and restaurants, which · Avoidance of the generation of waste, minimi-
provide services when congresses are held, sing the consumption of packaged products. 
are a potential large generator of waste. It is · Use of reusable (ceramic) crockery and, if this 
therefore important that they implement good is not possible, the use of recyclable crockery.
environmental practices. · Serving of drinks in reusable bottles and in 
bulk containers.
· Definition of a sustainability policy that esta- · Ensuring the segregation of different fractions 
blishes their commitment to sustainability in of waste both in the company and kitchen itself 
activities, products and services. and in outside catering companies, and subse-
· Implementation of an environmental manage- quent collection and treatment at proper recy-
ment system in the company. cling plants.
· Training of workers and other associated per-
sonnel in environmental matters.
.39
3.8 STAGES OF THE EVENT
puBlicising  Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation
the congress,  
printed material Use of new  
· Define electronic media 
as the main channel of 
technologies  communication through-
and signage for more effi- out the congress.
cient and sus-
When a congress is held, numerous materials tainable commu-
are produced to publicise the event (promo- nication
tional posters, leaflets) and to inform attend-
ees (programme, maps, etc.). The publication 
of these products should be adapted to the 
quantity necessary and they should be distrib-
uted responsibly and selectively to the audi-
· Print only those docu-
ence that is potentially interested in receiving Minimisation of 
them. the quantity of 
ments that are strictly 
necessary.
printed material
Where?
The following considerations must be taken 
into account for publicity and signage materi-
als produced:
· Publicity and advertising prior to the congress Printing  
· Informative material for attendees and issue  
· Signage at sites of written  
· Others: exhibitions, letters, invitations, etc material in  
accordance with 
What? sustainability 
Sustainability criteria in printed material and criteria
signage:
· Use of new technologies for more efficient Lasting and 
and sustainable communication reusable signage 
· Minimisation of the quantity of printed material and publicity 
· Printing and issue of written material in materials
accordance with sustainability criteria
· Lasting and reusable signage and publicity 
materials
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
40.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration             Stage 4. disassembly  
             and evaluation 
 
· Maximise online information · Run videoconferences to avoid · Publish communications, re-
and procedures (registration, travel by speakers. ports or information of interest 
programme, etc.). · Broadcast conferences on the on the website (rather than 
· Request speakers to bring their Internet to encourage online con- printing it).
presentations on USB sticks to gress participation and monitor-
avoid the use of non-rewritable ing and to minimise travel.
CDs.
· If you wish to produce material 
to give to attendees, a CD is 
preferable to printed material.
· Adapt the amount of materials · If leaflets or informative leaflets · Provide a place at which to 
to the number of attendees. are issued, provide a tray where recover leaflets or other ele-
· Always print on both sides of this material can be left once it ments once the event has fin-
the paper. has been consulted. ished.
· Design the content of docu- · Avoid indiscriminate distribution 
ments and pagination to reduce of documentation.
the number of sheets printed.
· Use recycled paper. · If any documents are printed 
- Print using organic plant-based after the congress, print them 
inks. in accordance with sustain-
- Print in black and white when- ability criteria.
ever possible.
- Print on both sides, optimising 
space to minimise the use of 
paper.
· Use alternative media such as · Recover signage material for 
cardboard, rather than plastic future events.
or PVC.
· Reuse materials by avoiding the 
use of dates so they may be 
reused at future editions of the 
event. If dates are featured, ap-
ply them using adhesives.
Where has this been done?
At the vii pec conference (Barcelona, 2006), signage was 
made from cardboard and plant-based inks were used to print 
signs. Posters did not feature dates so that the material could be 
reused at future editions of the event.
.41
3.9 STAGES OF THE EVENT
communication Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation
of sustainaBility  
and aWareness Communication 
· Communicate the sus-
tainability policy of the 
of the sustain- congress from the very 
initiatives ability initiatives start (press releases, 
implemented at search for sponsors, etc.).
Effectively notifying attendees of initiatives the congress
to improve the sustainability of a congress is 
just as important as complying with them. The 
fact that congress participants can see these 
initiatives makes the project educational and 
enhances awareness, therefore extending the 
environmental benefits beyond the duration of 
the congress, and providing for positive reper-
cussions in the everyday life of attendees. Involvement of 
attendees in the 
processes of 
Where? communication 
Three stages at which its is important to and dissemina-
communicate these initiatives to participants tion
should be considered:
· Publicity prior to the congress
· Publicity during the congress
· Publicity after the congress
What?
Sustainability criteria in communication and 
awareness enhancement:
· Communication of the sustainability initia-
tives implemented at the congress
· Involvement of attendees in the processes of 
communication and dissemination
 
how?
Good practices that should be implemented to 
ensure compliance with sustainability criteria:
42.
CRITERIA
STAGES OF THE EVENT
Stage 1: planning      Stage 2: organisation  Stage 3: celebration            Stage 4. disassembly   
                                                  and evaluation  
 
· Inform attendees in advance · State the commitment of the or- · If post-congress material is 
of the sustainability character- ganisation to sustainability in produced, include sustainabi-
istics of the congress. speeches at the main events lity matters in final reports and 
· Include information on the (opening, closing ceremonies, communications. 
event’s sustainability initiatives etc.). · Publicise the agents involved 
on the event website. · Publish poster-type informative (companies, suppliers of serv-
material with information on the ices, attendees, the media, 
sustainability project. etc.) and the environmental re-
· Include sustainability initiatives sults of the congress (data on 
in the congress materials (pro- waste generated, CO2 emis-
gramme, notebook, etc.). sions generated, etc.).
· Give attendees the chance to · Organise interactive activities with · Ask for opinion (in a survey 
make proposals or suggestions attendees about the sustainability for example) from attendees 
with regard to the sustainability initiatives about their perception of the 
initiatives (on the website for ex- sustainability of the congress.
ample).
· Create a group of volunteers to 
support tasks associated with 
the sustainability of the con-
gress, and particularly informa-
tion for attendee participation 
tasks.
.43
Where has this been Good environmental 
done? practices aimed at 
At the Convention of Barcelona Agenda 21 attendees
signatories, held in October 2005, the mana- Attendees play a crucial role in ensuring the 
gement team of the convention’s sustainability sustainability of a congress. Below is a list of 
project used a visual presentation to inform at- good practices that attendees at congresses 
tendees about CO2 emissions generated du- can perform to improve the event’s sustaina-
ring the day and involved public participation. bility.
44.
· Attendees should be informed about the envi- · Carrying writing material (pens and paper).
ronmental policy of the congresses they attend · Using public transport, travelling on foot or by 
and take part in their initiatives. bicycle whenever possible.
· Staying at hotels that implement good environ- · Offsetting CO2 emissions generated in trave-
mental practices or have some type of environ- lling to the congress.
mental quality certification.
· Switching off lights and electronic apparatu- To enable attendees to act environmentally co-
ses when they leave their hotel room. rrectly while the congress is being held, it is es-
· Separating different types of waste generated sential for organisers to inform them how they 
so that they may be easily recycled. may act in such a way by explaining the sustai-
· Registering by electronic means and printing nability initiatives and giving attendees advice on 
only essential documentation. their participation.
.45
46.
The  4
environmental 
legacy
An event’s environmental legacy may be the in-
frastructures or services that have been built or 
set in operation to provide service to the event 
and remain in operation once it has finished. It 
may also be the environmental impacts that arise 
locally and globally and are left for future gen-
erations, an example of which is the emission 
of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate 
change. These two aspects of environmental 
legacy are dealt with in this section.
.47
4.1
infrastructures
ephemeral architecture Carpet
Ephemeral architecture refers to constructions · Whenever possible, floorboards and carpet 
that have a brief lifespan and that are normally should not be used to cover the floor. 
built on a site outside companies, such as at · If carpet is used, conventional carpet made 
fairs and exhibitions. from plastic should be substituted by other 
Structures that may be reused at different edi- alternative covering systems such as cellulo-
se or coconut fibre carpet, etc., or reus-able 
tions and events should be prioritised in order floor tiles in recycled PVC, recycled rubber, 
to decrease the quantity of materials consumed or polylactide, etc. 
and the quantity of waste generated. Some of · Use carpet with a high percentage of recy-
these elements could be: cled and recyclable plastic fibres. 
· Do not use irreversible carpet adhesion sys-
Stands tems (such as glues).
· There are modular stands that are easily as-
sembled and disassembled, are reused and If other elements such as displays or signa-
usually generate a very low amount of waste ge elements are used, the material must be 
(compared to stands with personalised de- reusable and should not bear dates so that it 
signs that tend not to be reusable). may be used at future editions.
· The quality and durability of the material 
should be enhanced, and the reuse and large infrastructures
maintenance of stands and furniture should In some cases, large-scale events involve the 
be encouraged. When these options are not construction of new infrastructures that will 
possible, it must be ensured that the waste remain as a legacy in the city. If these infra-
they generate is recyclable. structures are built in accordance with sus-
· Separable or reversible joints (clip-type, tainability and bio-construction criteria, they 
rather than glue or welding) should be used 
to facilitate disassembly, both for the purpo- may contribute to the sustainability of the city. 
ses of reuse and for separation for recycling. Such infrastructures could be buildings, re-
These systems reduce costs and installation newable energy installations, etc.
time.
· Fold-up furniture should be designed for 
ease of transport and to reduce econom-
ic costs and emissions of gases into the 
atmosphere arising from transport. 
· Multifunctional furniture should be prioriti-
sed. There are many companies that hire out 
furniture, an option that favours reuse and 
minimises the waste generated. 
   
48.
Example:  Examples: 
Initiatives for more 
sustainable fairs
At the 2005 pollutec fair in paris reusable universal forum of cultures, Barcelona 
and totally recyclable carpet was used in the 2004
entire fair site. The carpet, manufactured by The Forum of Cultures involved the creation 
the company Sommer Needlepunch, was sub- of a new urban site, the Barcelona 2004 Fo-
sequently recovered and turned into plastic rum compound. It is located on a 30-hectare 
components for the automobile industry. The site on the seafront of Barcelona between the 
use of the carpet prevented the generation of municipalities of Barcelona and Sant Adrià 
18 tons of carpet waste (approximately 15% de Besòs. The Forum zone features envi-
of the fair’s waste). ronmental infrastructures such as an urban 
wastewater treatment plant, which serves six 
earls court olympia, one of the United municipalities, and an urban waste incinerator. 
2
Kingdom’s most important exhibition centres, A large photovoltaic panel of 10,500 m  was 
in 2004 began working with the company In- also built on the Forum site.
terfaceFLOR on the development a modular The Congress Centre building and the Forum 
carpet system to cover the floor. This carpet Building, which were designed to become 
may be cleaned periodically onsite and can Barcelona’s main conventions and congress 
last up to four years, thus reducing the carpet site, were also built. These buildings were 
waste generated. This innovative floor cover- constructed in accordance with sustainable 
age system was installed in January 2006 and architecture criteria.
featured a total of 30,000m2 of modular car-
pet. In 2010, the carpet will be removed and turin 2006 olympic and paralympic 
properly treated by the same company. games 
The organising committee of Turin obtained 
EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) 
environmental certification for the planning 
and construction of the 29 sites where the 
sporting competitions were held, including 
training areas and the Olympic Village. In the 
second stage, eight municipalities that offered 
activities at the Games were also EMAS certi-
fied. One of the emblematic sustainable archi-
tectural constructions was the main Olympic 
Village. This included 39 buildings for 2,500 
athletes and was built in accordance with 
sustainable criteria (solar panels, south-facing 
glass surfaces, low consumption lighting, the 
use of rainwater to irrigate green areas, etc.). 
Also of note was the main media headquar-
ters, which currently has a European Ecolabel 
and after the games has been used as a stu-
dent residence. It is thus an example of how 
to make sustainable use of facilities once an 
event has finished.  
.49
4.2 
carBon neutral how are co2 emissions redu-
congress: co  ced, calculated and offset?2
offsetting 1. reduction of co2 emissions.Before considering offsetting, effort must be 
A carbon neutral congress is one at which the made to minimise the emissions generated. By 
eventual balance of CO  emissions is zero. It applying the sustainability criteria detailed in 2
is important to neutralise emissions as they re- the above sections, energy costs and travel in 
present the most global environmental impact higher pollution vehicles, etc. can be decrea-
of an event. Assuming responsibility for CO  sed, thus reducing associated CO2 emissions.2
emissions means contributing to the environ- 2. calculation of emissions.
mental legacy, or climatic legacy, which is the Once CO2 emissions have been reduced as 
environmental legacy left by current genera- far as possible, the quantity of CO2 emitted 
tions for future generations. during the congress should be calculated. It is 
often possible to estimate the quantity of CO2 
Where do co2 emissions come prior to holding the congress.
from? · Travel of attendees: normally, and particu-
The main origins of emissions generated at a con- larly at international events, such travel is the 
gress are: largest source of emissions. To determine the-
se emissions, organisers must ask attendees 
· Travel of attendees from their town of origin their town of origin and the means of trans-
to the congress site. port used. To facilitate the process and avail 
· Travel of speakers and of organisers. of these data before the congress is held, the 
· Travel for technical visits and activities during information may be requested on the registra-
the congress. tion form.
· Travel of logistics services (catering, infra- · Travel of speakers and of organisers: travel 
structure supply companies, etc.) of the members of the organising and scienti-
· Energy consumed for the climate control and fic committee and speakers must also be ac-
lighting of the congress site and other buil- counted for. As in the case of attendees, the 
dings used during the event. town of origin and means of transport used 
must be known.
· Internal travel for technical visits and fes-
tive activities: the organisers should account 
for trips made, distances travelled and the 
means of transport used.
50.
· Energy consumption: the energy consump- that help to reduce CO2 emissions into the 
tion of the sites where the congress is to be atmosphere and encourage more sustainable 
held must be known. This data may be real development in developing countries. Many 
and verified (based on meter readings) or es- of these projects have CDM (Clean Develop-
timated and deduced (based on the histori- ment Mechanism) certification from the United 
cal consumption data of the building where Nations, which verifies and quantifies the re-
the event is being held). It is very important ductions in greenhouse gases produced by a 
in both cases to contact the maintenance project. 
managers of the buildings so they may pro- Some of these may be consulted at 
vide organisers with these consumption www.ecopass.fr, www.carbonneutral.com, 
figures. Once travel type and distance and the www.myclimate.org, and www.atmosfair.de.
energy consumption of the sites are known, 
there are numerous ways of converting these There are different formulas for offsetting. As 
consumption figures to tons of CO2. For tra- far as who offsets the CO2 is concerned, the 
vel, aerial and land calculators that calculate organisers of an event must decide whether 
the quantity of CO2 for a specific route (some the organisation will assume responsibility for 
examples are listed in the section on offset- offsetting all the emissions or only a part. If the 
ting emissions) may be used. To calculate the organisers decide that attendees should assu-
emissions associated with the sites, quantities me responsibility for offsetting its emissions, it 
of energy consumption (m3 of natural gas and will have to establish the offsetting procedure, 
kWh of electricity) must be converted using and determine whether it will be voluntary or 
the appropriate conversion factors. compulsory through the application of a tax in 
3. offsetting emissions. the registration fee.
Once the quantity of CO2 emitted has been 
calculated, these emissions may be offset by 
investing the equivalent amount of money in 
a project that prompts savings in emissions. 
There are different types of projects such as 
reforestation, and the implementation of clean 
energies, etc.
In Barcelona there is an initiative known as 
Zeroco2 (www.ceroco2.org) that allows 
for the calculation and offsetting of the CO2 
emissions generated. This initiative provides 
for investment in clean development projects 
.51
Where has this been and companies are 
done? also carbon neutral
offsetting the emissions generated by the radisson sas hotel in edinburgh has a 
ecoprocura 2006 international congress CO2 offsetting programme for its clients and 
At the Ecoprocura international congress, calcu- for events organisers. The hotel offsets its 
lations were made of the CO2 emissions gener- environmental impact by promoting a Green 
ated by the travel of attendees (using details of Rate. The hotel recommends that clients and 
origin from registrations), the energy consump- events organisers should make their stays 
tion of the building, and transport for technical neutral by making a donation to the Carbon 
visits. It was estimated that the congress would Trust initiative (www.carbontrust.co.uk).
generate a total of 644 tons of CO2.
In the three days that the congress was being The swedish electrolux group, which man-
held, a mechanism enabled attendees to offset ufactures apparatuses for household and pro-
emissions on site through the Zeroco2 project. fessional use, has implemented a calculator 
A world map was produced upon which those type of internal tool so that its workers may 
congress participants who wished to offset calculate the CO2 generated on their busi-
marked their town of origin (using a colour code ness trips. When they make an online book-
based on the means of transport used). ing for an aeroplane ticket on the company in-
tranet, they receive a report in kilograms of the 
volume of CO2 their trip will generate.
Other carbon neutral 
events:
The 2002 Johannesburg earth summit 
emitted 290,000 tons of CO2. The provincial 
government encouraged governments and 
delegates to offset the emissions emitted as a 
result of their stay and travel. Offsetting, which 
was totally voluntary, amounted to 40,000 
tons of CO2.
At the 2006 football World cup held in 
Germany, FIFA implemented the Green Goal 
initiative to offset the 20,000 tons of CO2 gen-
erated through clean development projects.
 
The iclei World congress 2006 featured 
a tax of 50 euros in the registration fee to off-
set the emissions calculated. The price was 
established in accordance with the average 
travel distance of all participants.
Other initiatives: hotels 
52.
4.3 
knoWledge 
transfer 
The experience acquired in the process of or-
ganising a sustainable event can provide train-
ing for many agents from different areas (ca-
tering companies, PCOs, material publishing 
companies, etc.), who may then incorporate 
this knowledge and new initiatives in other 
events, or even incorporate good practices in 
the day-to-day running of their company.
The bonds created among different agents, 
and the learning and exchange of knowledge 
and good practices among sectors are also 
very important.
.53
54.
Resources  5
in the city  
of Barcelona
The city of Barcelona has a long track record 
in environmental management and has the in-
frastructure and logistics necessary to provide 
environmental services, thus encourag-ing the 
implementation of sustainability measures by 
congress organisers.
.55
5.1 complete and efficient public 
transport network.
environmental Barcelona has an extensive public transport 
management of network (train, bus, tram) that covers all areas of the city and provides different ticket types 
the city: another that can be very useful for moving around the 
asset  city on specific days.
The city of Barcelona has worked hard to intro-
for congresses duce low-pollution fuels to the fleet of public 
transport vehicles. There are there-fore buses 
Some of the most outstanding examples of that operate with natural gas and hydrogen.
the city’s environmental resources are:
a city in which to cycle.
circuits for the selective Cycling is an original and different way of dis-
collection of wastes of all types covering the city. The city has well-organised 
In the city of Barcelona there are different bicycle lanes and bicycles can be ridden 
circuits for the selective collection of differ- around the city’s open areas and parks. These 
ent fractions of waste: paper and cardboard, facilities and the city’s gentle climate encoura-
glass, packs, organic and refuse. Each frac- ge the use of this alternative means of trans-
tion is taken to the corresponding plant where port. 
it is properly treated. The city also has spe- For locally held events, people from Barcelo-
cial circuits for commercial waste, or waste na can use Bicing, a public transport service 
generated by large producers such as shops, that has been warmly welcomed by the public, 
hotels, bars and restaurants, offices and subscribers to which can use its bicycles and 
other services for schools, and hospitals, etc. different bicycle stations that are connected to 
Barcelona has different Recycling Points whe- the main public transport stations. If the target 
re all the waste that cannot be discarded in public are citizens of Barcelona, they should 
household waste containers may be taken. therefore be notified of the Bicing stations near 
the areas where the congress is being held. 
For events at which attendees are from outside 
the city, there are numerous bicycle hire com-
panies.
56.
5.2 
tourism activities · Bicycle tours through Barcelona: different 
in the city specialised companies, equipped with mod-ern fleets of bicycles, offer historical and ar-
chitectural circuits around the city. The routes 
Many congresses feature a programme of explore Les Rambles, and Ciutadella park, etc. 
parallel activities for accompanying parties, Sightseeing on two wheels allows access to 
and tourist and cultural activities aimed at en- spots that cannot be reached by coach or by 
hancing the stay of congress participants and car. The relief of the city centre, which has no 
allowing them to get to know the city. These great differences in height, makes cycling vi-
activities provide a good opportunity to pro- able for visitors.  
mote a more responsible attitude to the envi-
ronment. visits to discover a more sustai-
Barcelona is a city with a broad range of tour- nable Barcelona
ist activities that promote the values of sus- Fábrica del Sol Centre periodically organises 
tainability. guided visits that introduce different aspects 
Different itineraries can be taken to discover the of the city (to its green areas, the city’s foun-
city using sustainable means of transport. tains, and water circuits, etc.). The inclusion of 
such visits on a congress programme could 
· Barcelona Walking tours: Turisme de be of great interest for attendees to discover 
Barcelona runs different guided visits on foot the city from a different, sustainable perspec-
that enable visitors to discover the history of tive.
the city while walking through the Barri Gòtic,  
L’Eixample or the Ciutat Vella, etc. visits to discover Barcelona’s 
infrastructures and environ-
· Barcelona on the Bus turístic: the bus mental projects
provides an easy, comfortable and sustainable The city of Barcelona has numerous innova-
way of discovering the city. The Bus Turístic tive facilities and infrastructures such as the 
has three routes: the North Route, the South Forum photovoltaic pergola, and waste treat-
Route and the Forum Route. Purchase of a ment plants, etc., a visit to which could be a 
ticket for the bus provides many discounts on good complementary activity for congresses 
visits to places of interest. and enhance attendees’ knowledge.
.57
58.
Checklists 6
This chapter features practical checklists that or-
ganisers may use at different stages of the or-
ganisation of congresses in order to introduce 
environmental initiatives. 
To facilitate their use in the different phases, 
these checklists are presented by stages and in-
dicate the area to which each measure belongs, 
in accordance with the classification that appears 
in the guide.  
.59
planning
Aspect / initiative       Area       √     NA     Observations
A sustainability policy is defined
A sustainability project manager is  
appointed
The members of the organising committee  
are trained in the sustainability project Administration
 
The possibility of holding non-attended  
organising or scientific committee  Administration
meetings is considered 
The sites are accessible using public  Sites
transport   
The sites comply with the principles of  Sites
universal accessibility 
The sites are of an appropriate size for the Sites
number of attendees 
There is sector-specific lighting Sites
  
There is natural light in the sites Sites
There are presence detectors Sites
Climate control systems are controlled  
according to sector Sites
The distances between sites are short  Mobility
(apt for travel on foot or by bicycle) 
The gift object is environmentally friendly and Responsible 
is useful consumption
Suppliers are informed about the  Responsible 
environmental policy consumption
A waste minimisation programme  
is designated Waste
There is a selective waste collection  
circuit Waste
Electronic media are used Dissemination
Printed documents are minimised  Dissemination
The sustainability policy is communicated Awareness 
enhancement
60.
organisation
Aspect / initiative       Area       √     NA     Observations
Recycled paper is used Administration
Environmentally friendly office products  Administration
are used
Registration is performed online Administration
Registration is confirmed by telephone  
/online Administration
Hotels are close to the conference site 
(within walking distance) Sites
Routes for people with reduced mobility 
are signposted Sites
The comfort temperature is agreed with 
site technicians Sites
The hotels selected have some type  
of environmental certification Sites
The sites where activities are being held Sites
are accessible by public transport
The sites comply with the principles  Sites
of universal accessibility
The dimensions of the site suits the size  Sites
of the event
Lighting on sites used is sector-specific Sites
Low power consumption lighting is used Sites
on sites
There is natural light on the sites used Sites
Climate control is sector-specific Sites
Attendees are informed about public  
transport options for accessing sites Mobility
Technical visits are made using public 
transport Mobility
A car sharing service is encouraged (website) Mobility
Low pollution vehicles are used Mobility
There are sufficient bicycle parking places Mobility
Responsible 
The writing material issued is durable consumption
The document holder bag is environmenta- Responsible 
lly friendly and durable consumption
.61
Aspect / initiative       Area       √     NA     Observations
Social rehabilitation companies are hired Responsible 
for different services consumption
Suppliers of services are from the zone Responsible 
close to where the event is being held consumption
Local, seasonal and organically grown Catering
foods are supplied
Meals for vegetarians are served Catering
Healthy food and drink is served  
(juice, fruit) Catering
Fair trade foods are served Catering
There are selective waste collection contai-
ners on all sites and selective collection of 
the different fractions is agreed with city’s Waste
cleaning companies or services
Information on the sustainability policy of Dissemination
the congress is available on the website
Printing of necessary material is in black Dissemination
and white and on both sides of the paper
Signage elements are durable and on Dissemination
sustainable media
Attendees are informed about sustainability Awareness 
characteristics prior to the congress enhancement
 
There is a team of environmental volunteers Awareness 
enhancement
62.
celeBration
Aspect / initiative       Area       √     NA     Observations
Environmental criteria are followed  Administration
in office tasks
There are selective collection containers  Administration
in offices
Communications and information of interest Administration
are published on the website 
The congress is broadcast on the Internet Administration
A sign language translation service is Sites
available
The comfort temperature of meeting  Sites
rooms is regulated
Lighting is used rationally Sites
Locally grown potted plant ornamentation 
is used Sites
Public transport tickets are distributed Mobility
among attendees 
Public transport is used on technical visits Mobility
 
Low pollution vehicles are used on  Mobility
technical visits or for logistics services
Bicycles are used on technical visits  
or attendees’ leisure activities Mobility
 
The issue of writing material, if unnecessary, Responsible 
is avoided consumption
ID badges are made in cardboard and are Responsible 
reusable consumption
Attendees are informed about selective 
waste collection Waste
Waste segregation is monitored Waste
 
There are waste containers in catering Catering
zones 
Attendees are informed about the nature  Catering
of the foods served 
Catering services comply with agreed  Catering
criteria 
Videoconferences are run Dissemination
There is a tray for collecting printed Dissemination
material for reuse
 
.63
Aspect / initiative       Area       √     NA     Observations
The sustainability project is explained Awareness 
during the congress enhancement
Material is published with an explanation of Awareness 
the sustainability initiatives enhancement
Attendees are involved in congress sustai- Awareness 
nability measures enhancement
evaluation and disassemBly
Aspect / initiative       Area       √     NA     Observations
Reports and documents produced  
subsequently are in electronic (not printed) Administration
format 
CO2 emissions are calculated Sites
CO2 emissions are offset Sites
 
Writing material is recovered Responsible consumption
 
ID badges are recovered Responsible consumption
 
Documents bags are recovered  Consum
for a charitable association responsable
Excess food is given to a charitable  
association Catering
Waste from disassembly is properly  Waste
treated 
Printed material and signage material  
are recovered for future events
  
The results of the sustainability project  Dissemination
are publicised 
64.
monitoriing the environmental impact of a congress
energy consumption of sites
Electricity (kWh)   Natural gas (m3)
Congress site
Others
means of transport used by attendees
Plane % Bus % Other          % 
                                                 
Car        % Bicycle        %  
Train           % Foot           %   
co2 emissions generated (quantity and sources) 
Attendee travel tons of CO2
Energy consumption tons of CO2
Internal travel tons of CO2
CO2 emissions offset tons of CO2 % total of CO2 emitted
Paper consumption kg % recycled paper
Fractions of selectively collected waste and quantity                 Segregation quality
Refuse kg
Paper and card kg
Glass kg
Packs and plastic kg
Organic matter kg
.65
7 Further 
information
In this section you are provided with addresses at which 
to obtain further information on the subjects dealt with in 
this guide. 
66.
Bibliography
ABEYASEKERA, K. & MATTHEWS, G., UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN, 2006. 
Sustainable Exhibit Design. Guidelines for Designers of Small Scale 
Interactive and Travelling Exhibits. 
www.lincoln.ac.uk/aad/research/publications/sustainableExhibitDesign.pdf
BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL-ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability), 
2005. Greening Events L’ambientalització d’esdeveniments - La ambien-
talización de eventos. Document No. 11 of the collection “Documents de 
l’Agenda 21 de Barcelona”. Barcelona: Barcelona City Council.
ENVIRONMENT CANADA, 2007. Environment Canada’s Green Meeting 
Guide. (www.greeninggovernment.gc.ca/F5B1C0BC-741C-4493-B4B7-
B0D56BBE6566/Green_Meeting_Guide_07.pdf)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, UNITED STATES, 1996. 
It’s Easy Being Green: Guide to Planning and Conducting Environmen-
tally Aware Meetings and Events (www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/grn-mtgs/gm-
bklt.pdf)
NATIONAL RECYCLING COALITION. WASHINGTON, 2001. 
Green Meetings Policy.
www.nrc-recycle.org/Data/Sites/1/greenmtgpolicy.pdf
RRFB NOVA SCOTIA, BLUENOSE ATLANTIC COASTAL PROGRAM. 
Event Greening, Managing Waste, Recyclables, Events. 
http://www.rrfb.com/pdfs/RRFB_Event_Greening.pdf
UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA, 2001. 
Les festes més sostenibles. 
Environmental Education Guide No. 6. Barcelona: Barcelona City Council.
UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA, 2004. 
Grans esdeveniments festius: anàlisi i experiències per a la sostenibilitat. 
Document No. 9 of the collection “Documents de l’Agenda 21 de Barcelona”. 
Barcelona: Barcelona City Council, 2004.
UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA, FEDERACIÓ DE FIRES DE  
CATALUNYA, CENTRE CATALÀ DEL RECICLATGE II, 2006. 
Guia de prevenció i reciclatge dels residus de les fires de Catalunya: 
arquitectures efímeres.
Websites of interest 
French website of the association of professional event organisers upon which 
the good environmental principles and practices promoted by the association 
are detailed.
www.eco-evenement.org
Website of the United States Green Meeting Industry Council
www.greenmeetings.info
Initiative of different agents and led by the Oceans Blue Foundation, with 
offices in Vancouver (Canada) and Seattle (USA), that works to encourage 
good environmental practices in all sectors of the tourism industry.
www.bluegreenmeetings.org 
Website of sustainable events of the United States Environment Protection 
Agency (EPA)
www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings 
Website of the United States Association for Green Meetings and Events
www.agmeinc.org
.67
The Collection of Environmental  
Education Guides 
1: Composting 
2: Let’s make biogas
3: Sustainable mobility
4: Reducing waste 
5: The green office guide
6: More sustainable celebrations 
7: Water and the city 
8: The less noise, the better 
9: From the city to nature 
10: Let’s green up associations! 
11: Good trade union practices 
12: Use your motorbike properly 
13: Energy saving 
14: Sustainable gardening 
15: Trade union action 
16: Household eco-products 
17: Learning from the Prestige
18: Sustainable diet 
19: Barcelona by bike
20: Youth X change
21: Pets 
22: More sustainable mobility
23: Birds of Barcelona 
24: The beaches of Barcelona
25: The green office for companies in the office sector 
26: Companies and corporate social responsibility 
27: Ethical financing and sustainability 
28: Become a friend of the forest
29: 21 recommendations for a sustainable residence 
30: Council+sustainability 
31: 21 visions of change 
32: 10 strategies for preventing waste - Consumer guide 
33: Let’s change code - Fair trade 
34: We are what we wear
35: More sustainable congresses
The collection of environmental education guides may be consulted on the website  
www.bcn.cat/mediambient
You can also find them at the Documentation Center of Environmental Education  
(Nil Fabra 20, baixos) or at the Fàbrica del Sol (Salvat Papasseit, 1)   
Credits 
Published by: Barcelona City Council, 2010 - Department of the Environment 
Contents and editorial team: Carme Hidalgo, Marta Rubio, Pere Ysern 
(Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Environment Office) with the collaboration 
of Turisme de Barcelona, Fira de Barcelona and Centre de Convencions Interna-
cional de Barcelona.
Coordination: Helena Barracó, Noelia Rubio
Graphic design: La Factoria del Anuncis
Translations: Solució de Continuïtat
Photography: UAB (pages 17, 28, 34 and 39), Ajuntament de Barcelona (pages 
29 and 44) and ICLEI (page 33).
Printing: www.print-makers.com. Printed on 100% recycled paper 
2010 January
DL: B-2244-2010   COPYLEFT
The total or partial reproduction of the contents of this guide is permitted provided that the author and 
publisher are quoted as the original source.
68.

Goal 9
To increase public awareness of sustainability through environmental education and 
communication
Citizens’ Commitment towards Sustainability - Agenda 21 Barcelona
Medi Ambient