Corporate Social Responsibility
Sustainability at m:con
Sustainability at m:con
m:con – mannheim:congress GmbH takes on the challenge of combining sustainability and events. Together. Efficient. Sustaining. This is the only way we can achieve our sustainability goals, moving step by step.
The challenge we face
Upon first glance, sustainability and events do not appear to be directly compatible with each other. And indeed, the realisation of sustainability goals presents the trade fair, congress and event industry with a whole host of major challenge that necessitates a conscious and respectful use of resources. We, at m:con, are stepping up and grappling with this challenge by working together with our business partners on strategies, measures and activities that bring us a little closer to our goal every day. That’s because, even though the road to a sustainable events industry is long, you can only get there if you actually start moving.
Our measures and progress
In order to achieve its ecological, economic and social objectives, m:con has already begun implementing a wide range of different measures and is constantly expanding them.
- Barrier-free access to all levels
- 100% green electricity from renewable sources since 2020
- Ten charging points for electric vehicles in the underground car park
- Development of a comprehensive new waste management concept
- Annual calculation of greenhouse gas emissions
- Complete recycling of paper towels with the TORK PaperCircle
- Efficient control of ventilation and heating systems using sensors
- Technical equipment with energy-efficient devices and materials on loan
- Fixed partnerships with Dorint Kongresshotel Mannheim for catering, with the building management company WISAG Service Holding and the energy supplier MVV AG
- Training company for trainees and DHBW students with the aim of securing a permanent position
- Regional sourcing of office supplies
- Reduction of printed materials and physical dispatch
- Travel guidelines to avoid non-essential journeys and prioritising the use of public transport
- Corporate mission statement “We Are One” with promotion of further education and training, work-life balance and numerous employee benefits
- Social commitment to regional organisations and projects, e.g. donation to the foundation “Bülent Ceylan für Kinder” and sponsorship of the Mad Dogs Mannheim women’s ice hockey team
- Participation in the local partnership network “meet mannheim”
- Strengthening the use of public transport for travelling by cooperating with Deutsche Bahn and the regional transport association, Rhein-Neckar Verkehrsbetriebe
- Use of reusable, recyclable name badge covers
- No printed certificates of participation
- Compliance with prevailing Codes of Conduct in the medical event sector
- Largely dispensing with the use of printed materials
You can find all our measures in our sustainability brochure (as at 05/2024):
Our goal
When it comes to climate protection, we have committed ourselves to the following goals:
We want to reduce CO2 emissions in our business operations by at least 50 % by 2029. We are aiming to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality for the Congress Center by 2045.
In order to measure our progress, we are drawing up annual greenhouse gas footprints for the Congress Center Rosengarten. The first assessment relates to 2019, which – as the last full year of events before the pandemic – will serve as the basis for comparison from 2023 and subsequent years. The greenhouse gas-relevant processes recorded lead to a carbon footprint of 4,589.82 tonnes of CO2e. The result is distributed across Scope 1-3 as follows: “CO2_Bilanz-Unternehmen”
Our path to achieve this goal
As a clear plan for implementing our sustainability measures, we have developed the strategy paper. It serves as a guide for the entire team and supports goal achievement. The climate and sustainability strategy contributes to our long-term business success and is intended to set us apart from competitors.
Green Impact Score
Organizers often face the challenge of aligning sustainable measures with budget requirements. This is where we come in with the Green Impact Score: those who plan sustainably are rewarded.
m:conscience
First implemented in 2023, m:conscience focuses entirely on the topic of sustainability at events. Together with industry and business partners, m:con engages in discussions and highlights the topics that are particularly relevant to the event industry with regard to sustainability.
m:con charity golf tournament
For many years, m:con has been organizing a charity golf tournament in support of the Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the University Hospital Mannheim and the promotion of neuroblastoma research.
Cooperations and memberships
Together with the BFE Institute for Energy and Environment, we create an annual greenhouse gas balance and conduct an energy audit of the Congress Center Rosengarten every four years.
Together with PreZero, we have developed a comprehensive waste management concept for the Congress Center Rosengarten to increase the recycling rate and promote waste prevention.
With our water dispenser in the Eva and Sepp Herberger Lounge, we not only save on packaging waste, but for every liter dispensed, 10 liters of drinking water are donated to needy regions.
Network of Sustainable Event Agencies
m:con is a member of the Network of Sustainable Event Agencies (NNE) and is committed to implementing the manifesto.
UN Global Compact
Since 2004, m:con – mannheim:congress GmbH has been committed to the “UN Global Compact Corporate Responsibility Initiative” and its principles pertaining to human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
B.A.U.M. – Network for Sustainable Business Practices
Since 2024, m:con has been a member of B.A.U.M. and has signed the code to take responsibility for sustainable business practices, for nature, society, and the future.
fairpflichtet
“fairpflichtet” is the Sustainability Code behind the German-speaking event industry. This is a voluntary commitment to corporate responsibility with regard to sustainability, both in terms of a company’s internal organisation and in the staging of events. Since 2012, we have been committed to reporting regularly (and with maximum transparency) on our sustainability activities and driving the issue forward.
Climate Protection Alliance of the city of Mannheim
The Climate Protection Alliance is an association of Mannheim companies with the City of Mannheim. M:con is committed to contributing to the city-wide goal of achieving climate neutrality as part of the Local Green Deal Mannheim.
Mannheim Alliance
The Mannheim Alliance brings together institutions that have signed the Mannheim Declaration (Mannheimer Erklärung). By signing the agreement, the institutions declare their willingness to work together as alliance partners to promote respectful, non-discriminatory coexistence.
Charta der Vielfalt
The Diversity Charter promotes the recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the world of work. We have been a signatory since 2013.
Downloads
Calculate the CO2 emissions for your event
With the CO2 calculator from the Federal Environment Agency, the emissions of events can be determined online in just a few steps for free. Click here ↗ to access the tool directly.
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