The most significant impact of the events is on the environment, especially through the movement of people, the transport of goods and the high volume of waste generated. To minimise this impact, it is important to establish sustainability criteria throughout the process of organising an event.
Do you want to know how you can help? Write to us at sustainability@ccib.es
Electricity is the first source of energy consumed in the CCIB, followed by frigories [a unit of refrigeration equal to 1 (kilogram) Calorie per hour] and calories used for cooling and heating respectively.
Currently, 100% of the electricity used in the CCIB is green energy, of which 40% comes from power generation arrays for the exclusive use of Fira Barcelona and the CCIB.
The CCIB also has 2 sources of renewable energy in the same building: 1 aerogenerator (1 kW) and 5 solar panels (0.25 kW each).
At the same time, it works to be energy efficient, which is why it implements various measures:
2023 energy consumption = 9.398 MWh
Electricity
44%
Cold network
34,5%
Heating network
21,5%
Since 2009, the CCIB calculates the CO₂ emissions generated from its own activity and offsets them by purchasing carbon credits in renewable energy generation projects with a social character.
These actions of the CCIB and the sum of the efforts of the clients and the participants themselves, contribute to reinforcing the fight against climate change.
The CCIB has its own Food & Beverage service that offers a wide variety of menus that cater to the needs of each event, as well as options to provide a more sustainable service. In addition, the kitchens of the CCIB are certified to the standard ISO 2200: 2018 Food Safety.
In 2018, the CCIB obtained the certification of the ISO 20121 standard for Sustainable Event Management, a certification that is the reflection of the commitment to the protection of the environment and the responsibility that the organisation has for the environment, transparency and integrity of its activity.
As part of the CCIB’s environmental management system, the waste it generates, all of which is non-hazardous, is controlled, measured and monitored.
The CCIB guarantees the correct separation of waste during events by means of recycling bins distributed throughout the building. This waste, together with the large volume generated in assembly and disassembly, is transferred to the containers located in the loading bay to be subsequently delivered to the authorised waste managers.
The collaboration of workers, customers and participants in events is key to good waste management.
Waste generated in 2023 = 713,92tn
Non-hazardous
36,8%
Industrial wood
19,7%
Carpeting
10.5%
Paper
8,7%
Glass
5,7%
Plastic
8,1%
Orgánico
3,8%
Metal
6,7%
The CCIB plays an important role in contributing to the fight against the climate crisis and promoting energy savings within the current European context. Moreover, since 2022 Spanish law has required the implementation of measures to manage the temperature at venues. The CCIB has therefore drawn up a protocol to guarantee compliance with the standard and, at the same time, guarantee a healthy and comfortable work space for all attendees and events.
Water is a scarce resource, so the CCIB takes various measures to promote its saving and be more efficient in its consumption.
The water consumed in the CCIB for services, cleaning and cooking comes from the public mains supply.
The wastewater that serves the uses of the centre is assimilated to domestic water and discharged into the public sewerage network.
Many of the materials used in events can be reused or recycled in parts at the end of their useful life (furniture, audiovisual/IT equipment, fabrics for scenery, modular stands).
Using reusable materials is a priority for the CCIB to minimise environmental impact. At the same time, it offers customers the possibility of choosing sustainable materials for their events.
The roll carpet is the one most widely used in events. Since 2012, the CCIB facilitates its recovery, collecting it and delivering it to an authorised waste manager who transforms it into pellets that are subsequently used as fuel in the cement industry.
Similar to the roll carpet, a more sustainable type of carpet is one that consumes less water, electricity and less polypropylene during its production process.
After the event, additional cleaning staff remove all double-sided tape so that it can be sent for recycling. In its recycling process, it is also transformed into pellets that are later used to make fruit boxes or other plastic items.
A widely used alternative and one that the CCIB also offers its customers, is carpet tiles. Its greater resistance and versatility allows different colours to be combined, so it is a widely used alternative in specific areas or in the corridors of an exhibition.
The carpet tiles are collected at the end of the event and undergo a cleaning and disinfection process that allows them to be reused in perfect condition.
Currently, a large part of the items used in decoration and signage of an event have their sustainable alternative, either the type of materials used or the use of inks with eco-friendly certificates.
· Corrugated cardboard totem
· Triangles and frames made of 100% recyclable fabric (eco fabric)
· 100% recyclable polyester banners (eco mesh)
· PVC-free vinyl wrap with plastic-free delivery.
In turn, the CCIB has LED screens in the lobby, at the entrances to the meeting rooms and on the Connecting Walkway.
Additional plasma screens can be a sustainable and complementary option to traditional signage.
In line with its ESG policy, the CCIB contributes to the revitalisation of the economic fabric of its surrounding area and to job creation through the purchase of local products and services, with 98% of the suppliers collaborating with the CCIB being local.
When establishing collaboration agreements with suppliers and, with the aim of orienting the supply chain to the ESG strategy, at the beginning of each year suppliers are evaluated in terms of processes, occupational risks and their environmental and social commitment.
The CCIB has good transport links to the city centre by public transport (metro, tram, bus and taxi) and provides detailed information on its website. However, it does not make travel arrangements for attendees to events.
In addition, the CCIB makes available to customers, suppliers and workers, four parking spaces with a charging point for electric vehicles. In addition, it has specific spaces with charging points for scooters and electric bicycles.
The CCIB facilities are designed to ensure accessibility in all spaces for attendees with reduced mobility. The CCIB is a venue without architectural barriers.
– The accesses to the CCIB are at street level without steps or unevenness.
– The building has several lifts to access all floors.
– The corridors are wide enough to allow wheelchairs to pass.
– The arrangement of furniture in all rooms allows wheelchair users to move around.
– If a wheelchair user has to access the stage, a ramp with the appropriate slope will be installed according to current regulations.
– All bathrooms are adapted for wheelchair users.
– The evacuation protocol in the event of fire guarantees that attendees who cannot use the service ladder are assisted at all times by our staff who will facilitate their evacuation.
The people who work at the CCIB are committed to combat climate change and occasionally participate in environmental and awareness-raising activities on the importance of protecting the environment and reducing waste dumping in nature.
· Day of cleaning the seabed and the beaches of the Mar Bella and the Nueva Mar Bella of Barcelona for a sea free of plastics and waste.
· Day of cleaning of the bed of the river Besòs within the Let’s Clean Up Day, a European campaign of cleaning and waste collection.
· Lavender Day on the occasion of World Environment Day for the fight against food waste.
The CCIB has 2 mobile charging stations for events.
Stationary bicycles that, through pedalling, allow energy to be generated to charge mobile devices without the need to consume electricity.
Sport pedalling (150W) allows the battery to be charged in about 1 hour, while gentle pedalling (30W) takes up to 5 hours.
A full battery can charge up to 4 mobile phones and 2 tablets, depending on the type.
All this plus a desk that allows you to continue working while pedalling.
