Emissions

Avoid, reduce, offset

Messe Stuttgart is certified by ClimatePartner. This means that Messe Stuttgart calculates its greenhouse gas emissions, defines reduction targets, continuously implements reductions and finances climate protection projects.

The steps in detail:

1. Calculate carbon footprints

Since 2019, Messe Stuttgart, together with ‌ClimatePartner, has been calculating its Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) in non-trade fair operation, i.e. the CO₂ footprint outside the trade fair times when the exhibition halls are not in use.  For Scope 1, this includes emissions from heat and cold generated in-house and from the vehicle fleet. For Scope 2, emissions from purchased heat, electricity and cooling are included. Scope 3 covers indirect emissions within the value chain. Here, Messe Stuttgart takes into account, for example, business trips, employee travel,  purchases of new electronic devices, print products, water consumption and waste.

2. Set reduction targets

Messe Stuttgart has calculated its corporate carbon footprint for the year 2019 as a whole. On the basis of this balance sheet, Messe Stuttgart has set itself ambitious climate protection targets. On the way to greenhouse gas neutrality, Messe Stuttgart is setting itself the goal of reducing its total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 40.4 percent (equivalent to 1,537 tons of CO₂) by 2030 compared to the base year 2019.

3. Implement reductions

In accordance with the reduction targets, Messe Stuttgart has introduced reduction measures and continuously implements them. These include, for example, the conversion of the building heating from natural gas to heat pumps, an electrification rate of 80% for all company-owned vehicles, the introduction of a travel directive that bans flights under 600 km, the setting of incentives for sustainable business travel, e.g. the incentivisation of railway bonus cards and the assumption of the costs of the “Germany ticket” which is valid on all public transport in Germany. The establishment of a good green electricity supply does not create an additional CO₂ reduction, but is the enabler measure for all further decarbonisation plans. For this reason, Messe Stuttgart will also invest in the installation of further photovoltaic systems on the exhibition grounds. In addition, the CCF is updated annually to keep track of the reduction success and to identify additional adjusting screws.

4. Finance climate change mitigation projects

However, there are always emissions left that Messe Stuttgart cannot avoid at present. Messe Stuttgart assumes responsibility for these emissions by providing financial support for internationally certified climate protection projects from the ClimatePartner portfolio:

• A project to promote efficient cooking ovens in Maharashtra, India
• A wind energy project in Nong Wang, Thailand
• A reforestation project in Guizhou Province, China. For each ton of CO₂ balanced there , an additional amount of funding is allocated to measures that protect forest ecosystems in the Thuringian Slate Mountains .