Article from “thuis in Maastricht” – 3 September
In the late 1980s, the buildings of MECC Maastricht were erected in Randwyck. It is Europe’s most hospitable place for conferences, trade shows, and other large events. This not only requires excellent organization but also significant energy consumption. MECC is making sustainable choices and taking increasing steps to be energy neutral by 2050. The organization aims to make a positive impact on its employees, visitors, and the city.
When MECC was built, construction standards were different than they are today. Insulation and sustainable energy sources were not yet common. “In recent years, we have taken on more responsibility in the area of sustainability,” says Sven Wiertz, the operational director. “The market demands it: our clients want or need to organize their events at a sustainable location. But we also do it because we genuinely want to. It’s good for the environment, for our people, and for our bottom line.”
Maximum Sustainability Gains
MECC Maastricht sets high standards to achieve maximum sustainability gains, working closely with the municipality, which owns the buildings. “Since 2019, we have thoroughly renovated our conference area. Among other things, we’ve installed heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and underfloor heating. For this, we received a quality certificate with 3 stars, which stands for ‘very good,’” says Sven. “We are also making strides in our exhibition halls. All the roofs have now been renewed and equipped with insulation and partially with solar panels. The traditional lighting has been replaced with LED, which consumes less electricity and lasts longer.”
For Employees, Clients, and the Region
“Sustainability for us goes beyond installing new systems or insulation,” explains Danielle Bronckers, Manager of Marketing & Communication. “We mainly want to make a positive impact on people and society, including employees, clients/organizers, and the city/region. That’s why we participate in charitable causes and engage in meaningful activities during our annual team day, such as playing games with the elderly or refurbishing shelters at the animal rescue center. Our partners can also no longer expect useless giveaways after a conference. Instead, we choose a sustainable item or a ‘symbolic’ tree as a thank you gift, which we plant in the rainforest and in the Netherlands. Our guests receive a certificate for it.”
Doing What We Can
Sven acknowledges that all activities at MECC Maastricht leave a CO2 footprint. “We have little influence over the travel choices our visitors make to come to Maastricht. That’s why we do what we can ourselves. We aim to minimize waste and critically evaluate our procurement. Currently, 95% of our leased vehicles are electric, and about 2,450 solar panels have been installed on our halls, covering 25% of our annual electricity consumption. The rest is purchased with Guarantees of Origin, which is electricity generated by wind, water, and sun. Thanks to all these measures, we aim to reduce our CO2 emissions by 46% by 2030 compared to 2019. This is how we are moving towards an energy-neutral MECC Maastricht by 2050.”
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