Meet Sustainably in Brussels

November 26, 2018

As the desire for sustainable meetings and events grows, so does the need for sustainable cities in which to hold them. The city of Brussels, Belgium was ranked ninth in the 2009 European Green City Index and now, a decade later, the city is well on its way towards its goal of becoming the “Green city of Europe” by 2024.

“As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet,” said Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, director of the Convention & Association Bureau at visit.brussels. 

She continued, “The city was voted the number one sustainable city in Europe in terms of environmental policy in the European Green City Index and holds the number 10 spot in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS)-Index. It is one of the greenest cities in Europe with 28 square meters of green space per inhabitant and is one of the most active cities in the area of passive construction with more than 265,000 square meters of exemplary buildings.”

The first step toward holding a sustainable meeting is finding a sustainability-friendly venue. Choosing a destination that is easily accessible via public transportation helps cut down on carbon emissions. If your event is too large to host in a hotel, offer sleeping room accommodations as close to your venue as is possible. 

Visit.brussels recommends selecting properties that have shown care about sustainable development (eco-friendly accommodation) and pursue a policy of corporate social responsibility (CSR), or have been awarded an eco-label such as the Green Key

The Green Key program, an initiative of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), aims to promote sustainable development in tourism infrastructure. The bureau provides a list of hotels, venues and other accommodations within Brussels that have been awarded this designation, and for larger meetings, a list of sustainable venues.

Minimizing waste is another important element of sustainable meetings. But for planners and venues to be able to do this most effectively, the infrastructure for recycling and waste management needs to be in place – which often requires a city-wide initiative. 

“Brussels is a leader in waste management and number one in Europe in the recycling of packaging waste,” von Ingelgem said. “There is a strong political will to make Brussels a pioneering city in sustainable and responsible tourism.”

She continued, “The Brussels-Capital Region focuses strongly on the circular economy (PREC program), good food and the fight against waste (Good Food Brussels). Last but not least, the most polluting vehicles have been progressively banned since 2018 from the Brussels-Capital Region as part of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) strategy.” 

Brussels is in the process of developing a regional sustainable development plan that will include a sustainable city district, sustainable neighborhoods and a mobility center promoting sustainable mobility. 

Visit.brussels offers a helpful guide for event planners who wish to hold more sustainable meetings. The guide, developed by the MPI Belgium Chapter and funded by the Brussels Institute for Environmental Management (Bruxelles Environnement) as part of the Meetings Go Green project, provides event managers with tools, best practices and courses of action to help them organize eco-friendly, low-waste activities.

Download your complimentary copy of the Meetings Go Green guide HERE.

 

Don’t miss any event news! Sign up for any (or all) of our e-newsletters HERE & engage with us on Twitter, FacebookLinkedIn & Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.