Strategy for sustainability
Climate Action & Energy (Energy, Mobility)
One of our key objectives is climate protection: as a state-owned enterprise, we are helping to implement Berlin’s climate targets set out in the Berlin Climate Protection and Energy Transition Act (EWG Bln) by 2045. Since 2025, we have been compiling a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory in accordance with the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) to systematically analyse emissions and identify effective reduction measures. On this basis, we will develop a company-specific climate protection strategy by the end of 2026, setting out concrete measures and reduction targets. We are relying on a combination of process adjustments, efficiency gains, behavioural changes and a shift in mindset amongst our staff to make our contribution to climate protection. We will continuously measure and manage our progress.
Reducing Energy Use and CO₂ Emissions – Our Energy Concept
Whether it’s lighting and sound systems for booths and stages or the climate control in exhibition halls—energy is a vital part of our operations. To reduce consumption and emissions, Messe Berlin launched a comprehensive energy concept over ten years ago:
- Berlin’s Largest Solar Rooftop: Our halls feature the capital’s largest rooftop solar. It generates around 7.3 GWh of electricity per year—covering about 25% of our total power needs.
We are modernising our entire heating and cooling systems, enabling us to continuously reduce our CO₂ emissions.
- Increasing the share of renewable energy: For our heating supply, we are relying on two modern pellet boiler systems. This means that renewable energies are replacing fossil fuels and covering at least 50 per cent of our heating requirements on the site. In addition, we are renewing and upgrading the systems to bring them up to the current state of the art and to meet future requirements for operation, efficiency and security of supply.
- Efficient Cooling:Four new chillers featuring modern recooling technology and using ammonia as a refrigerant significantly improve energy efficiency. Established metrics for assessing environmental impact – Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) – are key criteria in the selection of our refrigerants.
Reducing CO₂ emissions at the trade show Berlin
through measures ranging from electric mobility to public transport – we are gradually electrifying our vehicle fleet and collaborating with public transport operators to create options for using the public transport infrastructure to travel to and from our site.
- Job Tickets & Bike Leasing: In partnership with the BVG, we offer our staff subsidised job tickets and bike leasing schemes.
- Electromobility: We are gradually converting our vehicle fleet to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles for hire and 16 charging stations are already available to staff and guests. E-pillar charging plan (PDF, 207 kB)
- Additional public transport ticket option for travelling to and from our events: At the Messe Berlin ticket shops, visitors can book a suitable ticket for Berlin’s local transport network and simply receive their personalised public transport ticket digitally, tailored to the duration of their stay in Berlin.
- VisiFair Slot Booking System: Our digital planning tool for deliveries to the exhibition grounds helps to spread out peak times and reduce waiting times
- STADTRADELN Initiative: As part of the STADTRADELN campaign, we encourage our team every year to cycle on their daily commutes and thus contribute together to climate protection
Circular Economy & Waste
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Waste Management at Messe Berlin
Whether it’s packaging and stand-building materials or food waste – waste is almost impossible to avoid at trade shows and conferences. We are therefore committed to continuously reducing the volume of waste generated during our events through innovative concepts, for example by reusing and recycling materials.
- Separation of recyclable materials and return to the recycling cycle
- Collaboration with the Berlin Senate Administration and participation in the ReUse Berlin zero-waste initiative for the reuse of stand construction materials
- Combating food waste: events such as Green Week and FRUIT LOGISTICA donate surplus food to the Berliner Tafel.
Towards a circular economy
Trade shows generate a great deal of resources: from stand construction and carpeting to catering. That is why Messe Berlin, in line with the principles of the circular economy, aims to reduce waste and use resources efficiently and sparingly. This principle is a central component of our sustainability strategy.
Social Responsibility & Diversity
Fair, diverse and responsible – our commitment to society
As a trade fair organisation with an international audience, treating people with respect and fairness is central to our corporate culture. We actively champion diversity and equal opportunities – not only for our guests and staff, but also for the Berlin community.
Commitment to Berlin and beyond
Our social initiatives and partnerships support community projects in Berlin and beyond:
- High5forBerlin: Messe Berlin has been organizing a Social Day every year since 2023 - a day on which we swap our desks for an outdoor workshop. Together, we support a charitable project with regional added value. A key criterion: we pay attention to the circular economy and use recycled materials from trade fair construction. At the first Social Day in 2023, 120 colleagues built tiny houses for homeless people. The following year, around 150 employees built a community garden for refugees at the Tegel arrival center - with over 70 pieces of outdoor furniture and 24 raised beds. The garden now serves as a place for people to meet and exchange ideas. In 2025, our employees were again involved in Tegel: this time, outdoor barbecue kitchens were created for another communal area in the arrival center.
- Responsible Tourism at ITB Berlin: ITB Berlin supports initiatives on environmental, social and human rights issues in tourism worldwide; it is a founding member of the ‘Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism’ and supports child protection in tourism.
- Food Donations with Berliner Tafel: Through events like Grüne Woche and FRUIT LOGISTICA, we support people in need in Berlin. In 2024, we donated 87 tons of food to Berliner Tafel.
- Fairtrade & Sustainable Consumption: As a Fairtrade supporter, we offer, amongst other things, Fairtrade-certified coffee.
Regional Responsibility & Governance
Trade Fairs as Economic Drivers and Innovation Hubs
Messe Berlin brings people from all over the world to the capital and is one of the region’s most important economic and tourism drivers. Whether it's hotel bookings, taxi rides, or restaurant visits—according to a recent study by the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB), every euro of revenue in the trade fair and event industry generates around six euros of purchasing power for Berlin.
Trade fairs and congresses not only boost spending, but also create jobs. In 2022 alone, 6,300 jobs were created or secured thanks to the event industry.
In addition, Messe Berlin events are powerful innovation platforms. They bring together experts from across the globe to showcase future trends and foster new business relationships.