Sustainable Maastricht

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:05:00 +0100

Nobody can deny it anymore. The environment, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are becoming important trends nowadays. More and more cities and companies turn “green”. There is a growing conscience that sustainability, care for the environment and CSR are necessary for the growth of our society. CSR is operating with attention for the three P’s: People, Planet and Profit. These three elements must be combined in a harmonious way.

Success cannot only be measured by economic growth (Profit), but also by sustainable development which cares about social, ethical (People) and green (Planet) values.

Also the meeting industry has gone “green” and has integrated the CSR policy. The Maastricht Convention Bureau helps visitors by providing information about “green” conferencing.

Maastricht and surrounding area cares about the future of our children and our planet.

What does Maastricht do regarding sustainability?

The city of Maastricht and surrounding area takes different actions regarding sustainability:

Maastricht has finished 10th in the Local Sustainability Measurement
Maastricht aims to be climate neutral in 2030. In order to achieve this goal, the city cooperates with citizens, organisations and companies:

There is a sustainable power plant in Bélvèdere.
The Geusseltbad (swimming pool) is at the forefront of sustainability. For more information about this item (in Dutch) click here.
Cooling water is re-used within companies.
Residual heat of companies is being re-used to heat homes in Maastricht.
The Centre for Nature and Environment (CNME) organises nature workdays to involve the citizens more in the field of nature reserves.

Taxi company Brull provides eco-friendly electric taxis.
Maastricht has a Fair Shopping Route whith several shops that sell clothes made from 100% organically growth cotton. Click here to download the brochure (in Dutch).
The City of Maastricht uses computers which consume less energy.
The city centre of Maastricht has sufficient bicycle parking places which stimulates people to come by bike
Local and regional products contribute to the strengthening of the economy of Limburg.

For a full description of these sustainable projects in Maastricht, click here.

For further information, please visit the website of the local government of the city of Maastricht.

Click here to read an article about Sustainable Maastricht.

Sustainable organisations in Maastricht & surrounding area

Many of our partners take outstanding measures regarding Corporate Social Responsibility. Doing business with these partners means doing business in a responsible way. Below, you find an overview of our partners and their sustainable measures:

Apart Hotel Randwyck (Silver Green Key* certificate)
Bastion Deluxe Hotel Maastricht/Centre (Silver Green Key* certificate)
Beaumont (Green Globe certificate)
Brull Personenvervoer (Electric taxi’s)
Crowne Plaza Maastricht (Golden Green Key* certificate)
Golden Tulip Apple Park Maastricht (Silver Green Key* certificate)
Château St. Gerlach (Golden Green Key* certificate)
Château Neercanne (Golden Green Key* certificate)
Hotel van der Valk Maastricht (Golden Green Key* certificate)
Kruisherenhotel Maastricht (Golden Green Key* certificate)
MECC Maastricht (convention center) (Golden Green Key* certificate)
NH Maastricht (Golden Green Key* certificate)
Stayokay Maastricht (Eco label)

* The Green Key was created to raise the awareness of owners and managers of tourism and leisure establishments on the necessity and possibilities of running a responsible business. Getting awarded with The Green Key means that an establishment has fulfilled more sustainable requirements than is required by law. Besides pure environmental demands, the criteria inclide demands on policy actionplans. Click here for more information about The Green Key.

How to organise a sustainable meeting

A green meeting or event incorporates environmental considerations to minimize its negative impact on the environment.

10 tips for a green event:

let delegates travel climate neutral
use public transportation
choose local suppliers
communicate without paper
make sure the venues you use have a green policy regarding water, energy and waste
make sure airco, heating en lights in the meeting rooms are not turned on unnecessary, and that audio-visual equipment is turned off when possible
for your dinners, use regional season products
ask your caterer to not use individually packed meals and plastic bottles
prevent the use of disposable forks, knives, spoons etcetera
work with venues and suppliers who acknowledge the CSR-rules

Calculate your CO2 emission:

By becoming climate neutral you will inspire others to do the same. Climate Neutral Group aims to make it easy for people and organisations to become climate neutral. In this way global warming can be countered. On the website of Climate Neutral Group you can calculate your CO2 emission. For conventions and special events you can contact Climate Neutral Group to make a measure made calculation for you. For more information, please visit their website.