Messukeskus Helsinki pledges to be 110% carbon neutral by 2029

Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre has pledged that it will be 110% carbon neutral by the year 2029. The pledge comes today, 5 June, which is both World Environment Day and Global Exhibitions Day. Finland’s largest events venue is leading the way in corporate responsibility by increasing the share of renewable energy it uses, and by utilising carbon neutral alternatives in its business operations. Messukeskus is currently building one of Finland’s largest solar power plants in cooperation with Finnish energy producer Helen. The venue will cover the rooves of its properties with 1,589 solar panels, which will produce about 445 MWh of energy per year. The solar power plant will be completed in August–September 2019, and the energy produced will equal the annual consumption of more than two hundred one-bedroom flats. Messukeskus has also cut down on the use of disposable products, and significantly improved the services for electric vehicles in its premises. Environmental responsibility has a long-standing role in the business operations of Messukeskus. Messukeskus was the first Finnish exhibition and conference centre to receive the ISO 14001 environmental management certification for its environmental management system, in 2009. Last autumn, Messukeskus joined the Ilmastokumppanit (‘Climate Partners’) network of the City of Helsinki and the business sector. The network aims to make the city carbon neutral. In 2017, the Energy Authority and Motiva recognised Messukeskus as an energy-wise event venue. Currently, Messukeskus is also involved in a project, to run until 2025, which aims at significant energy savings through the latest housing technology. Anni Vepsäläinen, Managing Director of Messukeskus, said: “2029 will be the 110th anniversary of Messukeskus. We plan to emphasise corporate responsibility in all our procurement processes.”