Sustainability

Beurs van Berlage is the central meeting place within a historic monument in the heart of Amsterdam. We are committed to leading the way in sustainability within the events industry. Our sustainability strategy focuses on minimizing our environmental impact while maximizing our social and economic contributions. By collaborating with conference organizers and other partners, we create events that are not only valuable for participants but also leave a positive and lasting impact on the world.

Sustainability is not only about what we reduce, but also about what we contribute. Through our social mission, we support charitable causes, local initiatives and knowledge-sharing programmes, ensuring that the impact of Beurs van Berlage extends beyond the events we host.

At Beurs van Berlage, we aim to prevent food waste as much as possible, even during large events. We prepare smaller batches and serve “on demand” to reduce waste. By closely monitoring guest numbers and preferences in advance, we can deliver the right offerings in suitable quantities. Seasonal ingredients are used, and surplus food is processed sustainably.

One of our key sustainability projects is our sustainable drinking water initiative. To reduce the environmental impact of events, we have replaced bottled water with locally filtered tap water through stylish ‘Join the Pipe’ water stations located throughout the building. This reduces plastic waste and transport emissions, contributing to our commitment to eco-friendly events.

At the Beurs van Berlage, we are committed to smart, energy-efficient IT solutions. Using AI, we optimise network traffic and identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption. During off-peak hours, systems automatically switch to a lower power mode, or certain network devices are temporarily turned off. This not only reduces energy usage but also extends the lifespan of our hardware by ensuring it is used more efficiently. In this way, we contribute to a more sustainable world without compromising reliability and connectivity.

We recognize the urgent need to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions and support the goals of the Paris Agreement. The events industry has a role to play in this, and we are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. We are working across our value chain and collaborating with stakeholders worldwide to achieve this. As part of this commitment, we have signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly urgent priority for organizations worldwide. At Beurs van Berlage, it is more than a necessity—it is a genuine commitment.

We spoke with Marketing Director Willemijn de Vet about her mission for sustainability and the path toward a climate-neutral Beurs van Berlage by 2050.