In keeping with its role as the leading international trade fair in its field, Interzum is taking responsibility. With its new global lead theme ‘neo-ecology’, the trade fair is promoting the dialogue aimed at increasing sustainability and is itself also actively engaged in measures to fight climate change.

In the run-up to this year’s event, Interzum launched an initiative to make the world’s biggest industry event for furniture production and interior design more sustainable in the future.

The first step on this journey involves working with Climate Partner to scrutinise the trade fair’s own carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – ranging from event technology and energy to logistics and waste disposal along the way through to food service.

These emissions will then be reduced wherever possible. Any emissions that can’t be reduced (yet) will be offset by financing two certified, internationally recognised climate protection projects.

The first Interzum-funded project in Bhatel (Gujarat) harnesses wind energy to supply renewable electricity. This low-emission form of power generation saves around 1,67,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. At the same time, the local population benefits from a more stable electricity grid and long-term employment contracts.

Also in India, degraded agricultural land in Karnataka is being reforested as part of the second project. The project is helping a total of 1,296 farming families from 155 villages to plant trees and manage the land.

Both projects are certified in accordance with the Gold Standard VER (GS VER), which has particularly strict requirements regarding sustainable development and the involvement of the local population.

“Through these measures, Interzum is assuming responsibility and taking an important step towards becoming a more sustainable trade fair,” explains Interzum Director Maik Fischer. “ To achieve our long-term goal of comprehensive climate protection, it is crucial that we prevent and reduce emissions.”

Building on the experience gained this year, fair organiser Koelnmesse (Cologne, Germany) will continue to develop Interzum’s sustainability strategy for future events.

Interzum’s multifaceted engagement with the central theme of neo-ecology is evident in the topics and presentations at this year’s trade fair. Aspects such as resource efficiency, smart materials, renewable energies or recycling and upcycling were key to many of the exhibitors’ innovations.

The Trend Forums and platforms for dialogue at Interzum showcased pioneers of the circular economy, low-emission bio-based materials and solutions for climate-positive construction.

Interzum’s initiative is part of a company-wide strategy at Koelnmesse. This sees the company work to consolidate its sustainability activities in the three core action areas of nature, events and community – aspects that it aims to address comprehensively in the future.

All measures and ideas are aimed at being a marketplace that allows trade fair operations to be as resource-efficient as possible. Koelnmesse’s ambitious goal is to be climate-neutral by 2035, guided by the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations.

Comments