Hypomeeting Götzis goes Green
Sporting events can move a lot towards sustainability. The 48th edition of the Hypomeeting Götzis/Vorarlberg shows that this can also work for major events. It was the first major sporting event to achieve the Ecolabel for Green Events and was produced and broadcast according to the Ecolabel "Green Producing" standard.
Processes put to the test
The successful certification as a Green Event was preceded by an intensive process in which existing processes and offers were put to the test at various levels in terms of sustainability. The biggest changes are visible in the catering: only reusable crockery and cutlery, glasses and reusable glass bottles are used in order to avoid waste and to do without plastic as far as possible. When it comes to food, the focus is even more on regional, seasonal and organic products.
Free travel by public transport
At large events, the travel of participants to and from the event accounts for the largest share of the CO2 footprint. Therefore, environmentally friendly travel options are a must for a green event. The Hypomeeting Götzis gets to the heart of the matter and allows all spectators to travel free of charge by public transport (bus and train) from all over Vorarlberg as well as from the border stations. The free ticket for arrival and departure can easily be purchased online: https://bit.ly/goetzis-anreise. A minimum of 500 bicycle parking spaces are available at or near the stadium for those arriving by bike. It is also easy to get around on site without a car: all side events and accommodation are easily accessible on foot or by public transport.
"The organising committee of the Hypomeeting was keen to make a contribution to sustainability. That is why a package of measures was put together for the all-around meeting in Götzis to make the event fit for the future. We are proud to be the first major sporting event to be awarded the "Austrian Ecolabel for Green Events" and to play a pioneering role in this respect," explains Michael Radl, honorary Green Event Officer of the Hypomeeting Götzis.
Hypo Meeting Götzis High Jump© Michel Fisquet TeamPhoto
Many measures are often invisible
"We have been practising some of the required criteria for several years already; others were a big challenge, especially in the catering. All the greater is the joy now to have received this award", adds Alexandra Giesinger, OC President.
Of course, an event also requires many measures and work in the background that are not so easily noticed by the public. These included, for example, a comprehensive waste concept and the measurement of measures taken to further avoid waste in the future, the survey of and concepts for reducing electricity and water consumption or the reduction of transport routes through procurement in the region.
Hypo Meetign Götzis Javelin Throw© Michel Fisquet TeamFoto
Sustainability is also social
Therefore, the event also has something to offer outside of the classic environmental measures: Volunteers try to make it possible for people with disabilities to have a pleasant stay in the stadium. Assistance dogs are exempt from the dog ban in the stadium and assistance persons receive free admission.
Events are only awarded the "Austrian Ecolabel for Green Events" if they implement appropriate measures in various areas of sustainability. The areas tested include mobility and climate protection, accommodation, the event and sports venue, procurement and waste management, catering and gastronomy services, communication, social aspects and event technology. Some of the measures must be implemented; points are awarded for others. Only if a minimum number of points is achieved will the Green Events eco-label be awarded. Sustainability | Hypomeeting Götzis (meeting-goetzis.at)
Hypo Meeting Götzis Fan© Michel Fisquet TeamPhoto
Congratulations from the sports provincial councillor
Sportlandesrätin Martina Rüscher is also impressed by the award and congratulated the organisers, emphasising their pioneering role and inspiring commitment to sustainability.
Production and broadcasting according to Ecolabel standards for Green Producing
When an event of this size is also broadcast to the outside world, production and technology are also significant environmental factors. In order to round off the whole event, the production of the television broadcast by ORF and the online livestream will also be carried out according to the Austrian Ecolabel „Green Producing“ standard. Thus a standard for future sports broadcasts has been presented and a priority project of the Green Events Austria network has been realised. The implementation of the event as a Green Event has created many prerequisites and synergies for a successful Green Production. In addition, the following measures are particularly worth mentioning: battery-powered drones replace helicopters for aerial shots, electricity consumption is measured in order to identify further optimisation potential, practically no lighting is required for interviews as daylight is sufficient (possibly only LED camera lights are used).