Sustainability: Economic, Ecological, Social
According to our motto "Growth in Balance", the Leipziger Messe is committed to its corporate responsibility and the principle of sustainability. In this context, the Group of Companies respects and takes into account environmental interests as well as those of its fellow human beings and business partners. Dedicated to this guiding principle of sustainability, the Leipziger Messe strives to conserve resources, save energy, develop regional synergies and take into account social dimensions in its role as organiser, service provider and partner for international events.
Ecological Exhibition Centre
From its inception in the 1990s, designs for the Leipziger Messe exhibition grounds have reflected a sustainable approach. For example, the exhibition halls themselves are nestled in a park landscape with a lake and over 25,000 trees. We optimise energy consumption through the use of our own combined heat and power plant, which provides a total output of around 800 kilowatts to cover the site's basic needs for heat and electricity. Further energy savings are achieved through the combination of an ice storage with a refrigeration system and a modern heat exchanger for ventilation.
Additionally, the roofs of the administration building and the CCL are vegetated. The leafy green roofs have a total area of 17,961 m². In addition to the ecological benefits, greening also extends the life of the roof sealing thanks to the mechanical protection it provides against extreme temperatures and weathering. The roofs are also a precious habitat for endangered wildlife. These include a number of dragonfly and butterfly species.
We have had new residents at the fairgrounds since summer 2018: Five bee colonies have been established in a wildflower meadow, cared for by a regional beekeeper.
Responsibility in Everyday Work
The Leipziger Messe has developed an expansive catalogue of measures to promote sustainability in everyday working life, covering the areas of catering, transport and logistics, waste disposal, resources, operational management, social issues and ecology. Our strategy also entails the use of sustainable advertising materials made from natural raw materials that can be used multiple times and are biodegradable.
Promoting E-Mobility
To support sustainable mobility, we have installed charging stations for e-vehicles in the Leipziger Messe staff parking area as well as a station for e-bikes with lockers for the batteries and bicycle equipment. In the car parks at the Congress Centre Leipzig and the subsidiary company MAXiCOM, EV charging stations are provided for visitors and tenants.
Sustainability in the Group
The topic of sustainability is also reflected in Leipziger Messe's subsidiaries. For example, fairgourmet focuses on regional and fair-trade products when purchasing goods. The company also offers organic disposable crockery for take-away meals, i.e. biodegradable coffee cups, salad bowls and cutlery. In 2017, the company was awarded with the Meeting Experts Green Award from the meetings and conventions industry for its corporate philosophy. This award recognised the various sustainability measures taken by fairgourmet.
In addition, the subsidiary FAIRNET is one of the first companies to be certified with the "Sustainable Company" seal by the industry association FAMAB Kommunikationsverband e.V.
The Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) was also quick to respond to the issue of sustainability, given the growing importance and demand for "green meetings" in the congress and conference industry. This includes, among other things, sustainable mobility concepts for the event industry. The CCL is also a co-signatory of the "fairpflichtet" sustainability code, an initiative from the German Convention Bureau GCB and the European Association of Event Centres e.V.
Green Globe Certification
In 2009, the Leipziger Messe became the first German trade fair company to be awarded the internationally recognised Green Globe environmental and sustainability certification, which it has been awarded annually ever since. The Leipziger Messe has held "Platin Status" since 2023, acknowledging regular Green Globe certification and continuous improvements in sustainable practices.
