As of event year 2020, Messe Frankfurt will be changing over completely to green power, sourcing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy. This includes the power supply for the stands, halls and exhibition grounds at the company's Frankfurt base.
For the trade fair organiser, the move away from conventional energy sources is a further milestone in implementing its long-term strategic measures in the field of sustainability. The company's cooperation partner is Frankfurt-based energy service provider Mainova AG.
Messe Frankfurt's average energy needs are comparable with those of a town with around 40,000 inhabitants. Switching over to electricity with an optimised carbon footprint is a natural next step in the Group's integral, responsibly-minded business practice.
Uwe Behm, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt said, "by switching over entirely to renewable energy sources, we eliminate some 19,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Given that 80 trees compensate for approximately a tonne of CO2, you would need more than 1.52 million trees a year to offset this quantity of CO2. As a partner, we are acting on the desire among our exhibitors and guest organisers for an environmentally friendly approach to trade fair management."
Awareness of the need for sustainable energy has further increased in recent years and a number of guest organisers already exclusively use electricity from renewable energy sources. For Messe Frankfurt, switching over completely to green power is a further means of actively helping to protect the climate and environment and of driving forward its energy targets with a view to achieving an integral energy performance.
Norbert Breidenbach, Mainova Management Board Member said, "Mainova and Messe Frankfurt have been partners for decades and our companies have strong roots in their home city. We also share a responsibility for protecting our climate. Messe Frankfurt also embraces this responsibility in its capacity as a member of the Business Efficiency Network founded by Mainova. As well as this, we are eager to help our partners in stepping up their efforts for sustainable energy supply by providing them with tailored solutions."
Accordingly, the targets set by Messe Frankfurt's energy team will be implemented under the supervision and resolute drive of the company's energy manager. However, there are many small measures that are essential for efficient energy management – these include adapting air-conditioning for specific facilities, preparing energy consumption graphics to raise employee awareness, or having an effective building automation system.