GSSD Expo 2012: Towards a Green Event

An Austrian Eco-Label certified event

With the GSSD Expo 2012 overarching theme being “Energy and Climate Change”, UNIDO and its co-organizers have taken a number of steps to reduce the ecological footprint of the event. These numerous initiatives demonstrate the United Nations’ commitment to work in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Among other environmental based initiatives, UNIDO is striving for the GSSD Expo to be an Austrian Eco-Label certified event. Look out for the Austrian Eco-Label stamp to see where you can play your part.

Information for our GSSD Expo attendees: How can you support our green initiative?

  1. When possible, use environmentally compatible, public means of transportation to travel to the event location, or share a car.
  2. If possible, choose an eco-labeled hotel (Austrian Eco-label, European Ecolabel, EMAS or others).
  3. Make use of the environmentally benign offers of your hotel (change of towels and sheets only when needed, for example).
  4. Turn off all lights, electronic equipment (TV, air-condition system, heating, computer etc.) when you leave the hotel room for some time.
  5. Reusability = environmental protection: Give preference to drinks served by the glass, meals served on crockery, and products such as milk, sugar, etc. without individual packaging.
  6. Dispose of your waste (PET, glass, paper, metal, batteries, etc.) via the separate collection systems provided at the hotel and at the event location.
  7. Use public transportation or walk.
  8. Use online registration and/or digital materials instead of paper copies/handouts.
  9. Use your own writing utensils.
  10. If you do not use your own UN badge, return your name badges / lanyards at the information desk after the event.

The Austrian Eco-Label for “green meetings”– What is it?

The Austrian Eco-label is a quality certification mark that also guarantees that the certified products and services create only low environmental stress. It marks environmentally-friendly product options for consumers.

It was created in 1990 on the initiative of the Federal Environment Ministry to inform the public about the environmental impacts of products and services.

The Austrian Eco-Label is awarded to products and tourist services as well as to schools and other educational institutions.

Austria has proved to be a pioneer in the field of national eco-label systems already with some earlier initiatives. In 1996 the Guideline on the Awarding of the Austrian Eco-label for Tourist Enterprises was published for the first time. A new path was taken also with the Eco-label Guideline for Travel Offers, which includes requirements that go far beyond the quality of accommodations.

The Eco-label Guideline 62 “Green Meetings” fits in logically with this scheme. This Guideline sets environmental standards for both the event planner and the individual aspects of a meeting.

Source: Austrian Eco-label UZ 62 Green Meetings

For more information, please visit: