Messukeskus Helsinki: 110% carbon neutral by 2029
Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre has defined the objectives of its environmental work. Finland’s largest event venue is leading the way in corporate responsibility by increasing the share of renewable energy and by utilising carbon neutral alternatives in its business operations.
– We will be a 110% carbon neutral event venue by 2029, which is the 110th anniversary of Messukeskus. We will reach our goals by reducing energy consumption, increasing the share of renewable energy and utilising carbon neutral alternatives. We will also emphasise corporate responsibility in all our procurement processes, says Anni Vepsäläinen, Managing Director of Messukeskus.
At the moment, Messukeskus is building one of Finland’s largest solar power plants in cooperation with Helen. Messukeskus will cover the roofs 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 to 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. Holiday Inn Helsinki - Expo, the Messukeskus hotel opened in March, utilises district cooling in its cooling processes, and Messukeskus’s restaurant partner, Fazer Food Services, has introduced organic and local food, including a leftover buffet, as part of its catering services at Messukeskus.
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.
Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre promotes Finnish trade and industry by enabling profitable face-to-face contacts in trade shows, congresses and other events. About a hundred fairs and exhibitions and 1,500 meetings and congresses are held annually at Messukeskus, with more than a million participants. The Finnish Fair Corporation (the company that owns Messukeskus) will be celebrating its centenary in 2019.
June 5th it the World Environment Day and the Global Exhibition Day.
For further information, please contact: Messukeskus, Managing Director Anni Vepsäläinen, tel. +358 400 400 074, anni.vepsalainen@messukeskus.com, Marketing and Communications Director Maria Mroue, tel. +358 50 393 4974, maria.mroue@messukeskus.com
