CMW explores with SCIB the initiatives that make Switzerland ‘Swisstainable’
What role does the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau (SCIB) play in promoting sustainability within Switzerland’s events industry?
SCIB serves to motivate Swiss service providers to implement sustainable initiatives and join the national programme. The programme is specifically developed to improve sustainability in tourism, which is aptly named ‘Swisstainable’. Additionally, SCIB actively promotes and supports sustainable practices to prospective clients when they are planning to organise events in Switzerland.
How are venues in Switzerland incorporating sustainable practices to minimise their environmental impact?
This depends on each venue as different strategies are in place within the industry. However, the level of sustainability awareness and engagement is very high in our country. Several venues already prioritise enhancing their energy efficiency, and other significant areas of focus include waste management, wastewater treatment, and the reduction of food waste. You can find examples of initiatives implemented by regions, destinations, and venues at the meetings.myswitzerland.com website.
What are some specific examples of sustainable initiatives implemented by event venues in popular Swiss destinations?
A wide array of initiatives spanning all three pillars of sustainable development is being implemented in venues throughout Switzerland. These range from offering easily accessible water stations to avoid providing single-use plastic bottles and takeaway containers at buffets to minimise food waste, installing heating systems powered by the water of nearby lakes, and incorporating solar panels on roofs and façades to achieve energy self-efficiency. Other small but impactful changes are also easy to make, such as providing gender-neutral toilets. 
How does the SCIB encourage event organisers to prioritise sustainability when choosing venues for their events?
Our online Event Planner tool, found on the meetings.myswitzerland.com website, features over 250 venues (out of a total of 800) that have received the national ‘Swisstainable’ label. The label helps event planners identify venues that are actively committed to continually improving their sustainability practices. Moreover, this tool includes checklists that provide clear and straightforward guidance on key sustainability considerations for the planning of any event. We also offer suggestions regarding each specific aspect of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by all UN member states by 2030.
What measures are being taken by the SCIB to promote sustainable transportation options for event attendees within Switzerland?
One of Switzerland’s big assets in terms of sustainability is its extensive and highly reliable public transportation network. Public transportation within city centres is usually included in hotel overnight rates. The Swiss Travel Pass, which offers access to the whole public transportation network across Switzerland and additional benefits such as admission to over 500 museums, is a very popular ticket among all our visitors This thereby promotes sustainable mobility for both locals and visitors. Are there any specific destinations in Switzerland that have been recognised for their commitment to sustainability in the events industry? What actions have they taken? The city of Basel is among the first destinations in Switzerland to have been awarded the ‘Swisstainable’ label as an entire destination. This recognition is based on a range of criteria, including the requirement for many diverse tourism service providers within the destination to be actively engaged in the national sustainability programme. Other noteworthy examples in various Swiss destinations include the Tissot Arena in Biel/Bienne, home to the world’s largest in-stadium solar power plant, and the Kursaal in Bern, where thousands of beehives are located on its roof. Lausanne-Montreux ranks among the top 20 in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) index, with many more examples to be found on our website. 
What steps is the SCIB taking to support the events industry in achieving net-zero carbon emissions?
We guide in organising carbon-neutral events by outlining measures to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions In addition, venues or organisers have the option to offset activities that still generate carbon emissions.
Are there any sustainability accreditations that the SCIB encourages destinations and event venues in Switzerland to work towards? If yes, which accreditations are they and how do they contribute to sustainability goals?
We generally encourage all event venues and providers, small or big, to consider enhancing or expanding their sustainability commitments. The most important initiative for the Swiss tourism industry was the launch in 2021 of the national sustainability programme ‘Swisstainable’ by Switzerland Tourism, together with the University of Lucerne and the Swiss tourism industry. This programme, organised into three levels based on the sustainability commitment of each tourism provider, is not a certification but includes the most recognised national and international sustainability certifications in all three areas of sustainable development as access criteria. For more information about Swisstainable, look at MySwitzerland.com/swisstainable
How does the SCIB collaborate with event organisers to ensure that sustainability practices are implemented throughout the entire event planning process?
Our role is to support event organisers with ideas and suggestions on how to make their events in Switzerland as sustainable as possible. Increasingly, clients are requesting event organisers to implement sustainable measures into their events. We also serve as a platform for sharing best practices, showcasing what venues and providers in Switzerland have previously put into place in terms of sustainability, and helping all players in the meetings industry, including potential clients, find concrete sources of inspiration.
Can you provide examples of successful collaborations between the SCIB, national convention bureaus, suppliers and event venues that have resulted in significant reductions in carbon emissions or increased sustainability?
We would highlight the Adventure Travel Summit held in Lugano in 2022, which was themed around the elements and ensuring a harmonious relationship with nature. We’d also point to the UN World Data Protection Forum in Bern in 2021’s sustainability concept.
