Organic, “green” and Nuremberg all belong together

As long ago as 2006, the Nuremberg city council made the unanimous decision to join the organic city network Città del BIO, and was the forerunner in Germany by doing so. Today, the Città del BIO has almost 200 members across Europe. The specific goals of these “organic cities” are to support organic farming and regional production and to promote a culture of sustainable consumption and eating, whilst foregoing the use of genetic engineering in foodstuffs.

In addition, Nuremberg has been a Fair Trade city since 2010 and is host to the world’s leading trade fair for organic products – BIOFACH – which for more than 25 years has been a place where people can share their passion for organic food and products. Highlights of this event include several interactive theme areas, where visitors can enjoy cookery, demonstrations and tastings and have the opportunity to share their views. Almost 45,000 visitors were welcomed at this industry event in 2015.

Every year, “Experience Organic” takes place in July in the historic heart of the city. Located in the gorgeous setting of the Nuremberg Hauptmarkt, it is a major market for organic products, culture, art, fashion and activities for children, and in 2016 it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Organic products are also prominent at the famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, with over 25% of stallholders offering such products.

An organic experience

The Greater Nuremberg area is home to major frontrunners and market leaders in the organic sector, with over 800 companies belonging to this future-oriented industry. A major partner for sustainable development is BLUEPINGU, an association which, alongside the regional guides, offers a regional gastronomy and shopping guide with a list of over 1,200 local organic suppliers.

German Green City Index

In the German Green City Index, an environmental performance study commissioned by Siemens, Nuremberg achieved an “above average” overall result. Amongst the cities where the proportion of industry totals 25% or more, Nuremberg is the only one in Germany to rank “above average” in the CO2 emissions category.

Top position for solar energy

Germany has a “Solar National League”, a competition to gauge the progress made by cities, towns and communities in installing photovoltaic systems. Nuremberg occupies the no. 1 position in this competition against other cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants.

Intelligent traffic concept

As part of its Climate Protection Programme 2010/2020, Nuremberg has added a new automated line to its underground network, operating with centrally-controlled, driverless trains. This fully-automated system enables a particularly energy-saving mode of operation.

The city also has a good public transport network which a third (33%) of local residents use daily to commute to work – the third highest percentage across the whole of Germany. There are 13 research and development bodies in the metropolitan area working on innovative traffic engineering, mobility systems and logistics.

The automatic traffic control system introduced in 2004 regulates traffic flowing towards the Nuremberg convention centre and stadium, starting a good distance away from the event sites. It is intended to minimise the negative effects of extra traffic on the approach roads during special events and thus reduce the burden for local residents.

• Delegates are encouraged to travel to and from the event by train, thereby drastically reducing the amount of individual journeys made
• All Deutsche Bahn rail trips with the Umwelt Plus event ticket are carbon neutral
• Most GTM hotels are conveniently situated with good public transport connections
• Volunteers from the local area will be waiting at key locations (hotels, train station, airport, etc.) to provide visitors with public transport information and directions
• Coordinated transfers (intelligent logistics)

• The invitation process is completely electronic
• All information and services related to the GTM Germany Travel Mart™ can be accessed online and are now only provided electronically
• Use of paper is discouraged as far as possible
• Delegates are made more aware of sustainable behaviour

• The paper used for name badges is sourced from FSC-certified forests
• All printed materials (brochures, pocket guides, etc.) are printed double-sided on FSC-certified paper and they are produced print compensated
• GTM delegates are given a conference bag made from renewable resources

Give-aways

• Lunchbag
  • Made from renewable sources (cotton)

• Contractors are selected based on a list of criteria for sustainable exhibition-stand construction
• Materials and components are re-used multiple times
• Eco-friendly building materials are used wherever possible
• Preference is given to water-based colours and paints
• Considerable resources are conserved by hiring exhibition furniture
• Packaging and freight are minimised (intelligent logistics)

As part of its “energy offensive”, exhibition company NürnbergMesse is actively promoting the sensible use of heat and energy. It has brought together a dedicated team within the company, whose task it is to develop energy saving measures and establish them throughout the organisation. These include progressively switching to energy-saving LED luminaires for the lighting in the exhibition halls and car parks, installing modern cooling systems and holding the relevant staff training. The campaign has also led to the contract for the supply of electricity to NürnbergMesse being adapted and the proportion of electricity from renewable energy resources has been increased to 30%.

NürnbergMesse has received several awards for its commitment. Recognised as an exemplary company in the Greater Nuremberg region and as a role model for climate protection, it has been named “Energy Efficiency Winner 2015”. The newly-constructed Hall 3A at NürnbergMesse is the first exhibition hall in the world to receive the “Platinum” award from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).

• 600 kWp photovoltaic system on the roofs, reducing carbon emissions by around 370 tonnes annually
• A block-type thermal power station and an additional condensing boiler offer an efficient, centralised means of generating heat and hot water
• Lights are controlled centrally by a building management system, all lights have been replaced by LEDs
• A modern centralised cooling and refrigeration system has been installed. This is also used to cool the data centre.
• Rain water is being channelled directly into the peat canal as part of the environmental restoration of the Findorff peat docks
• Economy flushes and aerators, etc. are helping to reduce water consumption

• The product range includes foods that are certified organic and fair trade (organic bakeries and organic vegetable stand)
• Preference is given to regional and seasonal products
• Exotic products from overseas are actively avoided
• Food is served with re-usable rather than disposable tableware in order to avoid waste
• Seafood products carry the Marine Stewardship Council label
• The coffee is obtained from sustainable sources and the soft drinks are from the local area

• All facilities have disabled access – delegates are asked when registering if they have any special requirements that need to be accommodated
• There is a series of seminars for buyers on the subject of sustainability and Green Germany
• All sustainability measures are clearly communicated (through press releases, the website, etc.)