Aalborg2024 Sustainability Claim

Commitment to Sustainability

Aalborg Municipality has been dedicated to the sustainability agenda since the adoption of the Aalborg Charter back in 1994. The current sustainability strategy – also called Aalborg’s SDG Strategy – focuses on the challenges we are facing regarding climate, resources, inequality, and biodiversity. The strategy is an umbrella for all other strategies in the municipality, it will create coherence and ensure a holistic approach to solving the challenges for the sake of future generations.

Sustainable Event Approach

The organisers of Aalborg2024, the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, are committed to making the event as sustainable as possible. Following ICLEI's Sustainable Events Guide 2022, the event strives to balance environmental, social, and economic practices across all planning stages. Sustainability considerations have been integrated into multiple aspects of the event, including:

• Location: Prioritizing a sustainable destination and venue
• Local Transportation: Encouraging eco-friendly transportation options and mobility
• Accommodation: Choosing sustainable lodgings
• Catering: Partnering with a responsible, low-carbon footprint caterer
• Event Material: Reducing and managing event materials to minimize waste
• Waste Management: Implementing comprehensive waste management practices to enhance recycling and reduce waste

Carbon Offset Strategy

To mitigate the event’s carbon footprint, the organisers have employed the Atmosfair CO2 Event Calculator based on the VDR standard. The projected carbon emissions per participant have been factored into the conference fees. Following the event, actual data will be analysed to determine the final emissions, and Aalborg2024 will offset the carbon by contributing to certified carbon mitigation projects.

Venue Sustainability Practices

Aalborg Kongres & Culture Center (AKKC), as the event venue, is dedicated to leading the way in sustainable practices within the event industry. Their approach focuses on key pillars: people, environment, and economy, while adhering to the relevant regulatory frameworks.

Key elements of AKKC’s sustainability strategy include:

• Human Resources: AKKC recognizes the importance of accommodating diverse needs, promoting teamwork towards sustainable behaviours, and fostering a culture of responsibility.

• Environmental Resources: Prioritizing renewable energy, extending material life cycles, and maximizing recycling efforts. AKKC also advocates long-term thinking in the management of global resources.

• Economic Sustainability: The human and environmental focus translates into a healthy economy that benefits all stakeholders, including customers, partners, and suppliers.

AKKC is committed to contributing to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and continuously evaluates and updates its sustainability practices. By setting clear sustainability goals, communicating transparently, and forming strategic partnerships, AKKC ensures that sustainability remains a central focus both within their organization and their broader network. Read more about their sustainable approach here.

Sustainable Catering

Restaurant AKKC by MEST, the event’s catering partner, integrates sustainability into its operations with a strong emphasis on local partnerships and responsible resource management. Collaborating with social enterprise Råt & Godt, the restaurant efficiently collects and repurposes materials, notably reusable polystyrene from events.

Their sustainability efforts extend to:

• Food Waste Reduction: Designing menus to minimize food waste, prioritizing lower-carbon food alternatives, and reducing beef consumption.

• Farm-to-Table Approach: Collaborating with Naturbrug Tranum to deliver fresh farm produce to guests within 24 hours, enhancing the sustainability of the food supply chain.

• Social Responsibility: Offering employment opportunities to individuals on the edge of the job market and employing a team of craftsmen in flex jobs who contribute by building and renovating furniture, further emphasizing the restaurant’s commitment to recycling and repurposing.

By adopting sustainable practices throughout the catering process, Restaurant AKKC by MEST plays a vital role in reducing the overall environmental impact of the event.

Through strong partnerships that are committed to sustainable practices, Aalborg2024 aims to set a benchmark for sustainable events. For more detailed information on the above claims, please reach out to the Conference Secretariat at aalborg2024@iclei.org.