Your sustainable meeting, event or incentive trip in Amsterdam
Topics like the climate, CO2 reduction, and circular and sustainable business remain hot topics. With the climate agreement, we all still need to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions are halved in 2030 compared to 1990. A challenging task, to which we can all contribute a little something.
Fortunately, there are numerous options for organising your event as sustainably as possible, both domestically and abroad. We are happy to brainstorm with you and, if desired, will develop a complete concept tailored to your CSR guidelines and/or SDG goals.
In this blog, I, Rosa Romero – Project Manager at goMICE, would like to take you through the mindset with which we at goMICE organise successful ‘green’ events and other valuable meetings; with love and care for the earth and the people around us. At these events, we see social engagement, connection, and effective collaboration among participants grow enormously. Naturally, a ‘fun’ element, delicious food, and sharing memorable moments are also part of an environmentally conscious event. I'd be delighted to offer you a few tips for organising your next event in Amsterdam sustainably.
- What can you do to reduce your footprint?
- Where can you stay sustainably?
- Where can you have a sustainable meeting / organise an event?
- Which sustainable restaurants and activities go well with this?
- How can you/your company reduce your ecological footprint and contribute to a better world during your event?
First of all, here are a few things you can consider to reduce your ecological footprint:
- Choose your location wisely;
- Choose sustainable transport;
- When selecting your restaurant or meals, opt for local, seasonal produce.;
- Choose activities that reduce your CO2 footprint or make a socio-economic contribution;
- Choose a guest speaker who inspires your guests to make environmentally conscious choices.
Sustainable transport
Let participants arrive at the event via electric transport and travel together as much as possible. This reduces the number of mobility movements. This can be done, for example, by organising transport yourselves or by using a carpooling app that makes travelling together easy and accessible.
Sustainable stay
For a sustainable stay in Amsterdam, you can choose from the following energy-neutral hotels, among others:
Hotel Jakarta
This luxurious ‘green’ four-star hotel is one of the first energy-neutral hotels in the Netherlands. Opened in 2018 and located on Java Island, the very spot where the scheduled service to Indonesia once departed, this hotel makes guests feel as though they are travelling in Indonesia without leaving Amsterdam. The hotel is built for 80% from sustainable wood and is self-sufficient in its electricity, heating, and air conditioning supply. The large green courtyard is a beautiful place, the beds are wonderful, and the view is sublime. Skybar Malabar is an ideal spot to organise a celebratory event, with panoramic views over Amsterdam! Furthermore, in restaurant ‘Café Jakarta’, your party will be taken on a culinary journey of discovery where East meets West. Naturally, local products are served here. As a sustainable finale, kitchen waste is composted.
Four Elements Hotel
This four-star hotel is situated on the waterfront, by the IJburg harbour, a 15-minute drive from Dam Square. The concept of this energy-neutral hotel is inspired by the four classical elements of antiquity: Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire. These were historically considered crucial sources of energy. All rooms have a unique design and are modernly and stylishly furnished using recycled materials. The restaurant serves delicious local seasonal dishes and recycles as much as possible. The Wind Skybar offers a stunning view over the IJmeer and its banks, Durgerdam, and the IJburg marina. The atmospheric space can be flexibly arranged, making this location ideal for organising a spectacular sustainable event.
Sustainable activities
- Sustainable cruise A canal cruise in Amsterdam is an absolute must for your event in the city! During this cruise, participants will engage in a popular sustainable activity in Amsterdam: plastic fishing. The plastic collected by the participants is recycled into furniture and boats! The same kind of boat that you will be using during this excursion. Jump on board for this unforgettable sustainable experience!
- Sporty team building in Amsterdamse Bos Take on a sporting challenge with your colleagues in Amsterdam's largest green space: the Amsterdamse Bos! Countless activities can be organised to create a sustainable event in this beautiful setting that also promotes team spirit. From yoga, Highland games and group sports, to a tough bootcamp led by a well-known trainer.
- Team building at an ecological farm or care farm: Help the care farm with tasks such as overdue maintenance, or work with your colleagues and clients on a specific green project. The activities can be arranged beforehand, or let us plan a surprise programme for you. These activities could include building and repairing various parts of the care farm, or (depending on the season) green projects such as sowing, pruning, weeding, and harvesting. Hard work will be rewarded with a delicious shared farm lunch!
Sustainable restaurants and cafés
Did you know that one-third of all food produced ends up being wasted?! Sustainable restaurants find this a shame, and therefore the chefs of several Amsterdam restaurants are cooking with produce that would otherwise go to waste. A ‘Masterclass Sustainable Cooking’ at a cool location in the heart of Amsterdam is, of course, also a possibility. Delicious food guaranteed… We know the right places in our capital city!
Sustainable meeting and event locations
In Amsterdam, many venues can be found where environmentally conscious meetings can be held. From a small meeting at a sustainable geWOONboot, The Office en The Board up to a more corporate meeting CIRCL; a fully circular built location, made from reused and reusable materials. Or at the NSDM site, an area where anything is possible: from an intimate meeting to a grand party!
Furthermore, Amsterdam is the proud host of one of the most sustainable stadiums in the world: the Johan Cruijff ArenA. They use a mix of proven sustainability measures and innovative technology. This not only supplies the stadium with energy but also the immediate surroundings! For example, the stadium has over 4,200 solar panels on the roof and has been using Europe's largest ‘second life’ megabattery in a commercial building since 2018. The three-megawatt storage system consists of, among other things, second-hand batteries from electric vehicles. This megabattery ensures a reliable and efficient energy supply and use for (and by) the stadium, its visitors, neighbours, and the Dutch energy grid. So, what do you think of a sustainable meeting at this fantastic location?! From a meeting in a luxurious sky lounge with a view of the stadium or a professional online or hybrid event, to a spectacular seminar or an exclusive gala dinner on the football pitch!
Sustainable giveaways
When you give something, you want to leave something behind: a special and lasting impression of your organisation for your employees or relations. We'd be happy to help you find a suitable and sustainable corporate gift from Amsterdam, based on your objective, theme, or the occasion.
Good to know…
The municipality of Amsterdam has drawn up a sustainability plan for large events and will only issue permits for events organised sustainably in terms of energy, water, waste, and transport. To facilitate the sustainability of events, the municipality has installed power points at frequently used event locations in recent years, reducing the need for temporary facilities and transport movements. goMICE will gladly assist you in following this policy and arranging a sustainability certificate if necessary.
As you can see, there are plenty of simple (small) steps that can be taken to make your next one- or multi-day event in Amsterdam more sustainable.
More tips and inspiration on sustainable business meetings and travel?
Would you like more tips and information on organising meetings or events sustainably? Then also read our blog “6 tips for sustainably organising your online or in-person meeting“Do you prefer to travel abroad and want tips on how to travel sustainably? Then read our blog“Top 5 sustainable destinations in Europe”Would you like to organise your next meeting, event or incentive trip sustainably and with impact together with goMICE? Then book here A no-obligation sparring session with one of our specialists!