Catalogue of measures
On this page you will find a wide range of measures and best practices to help you plan and implement your event sustainably. Use the filter options to select specific measures that match your action areas and targets.
Target Catalogue
On this page you will find a wide range of measures and best practices to help you plan and implement your event sustainably. Use the filter options to select specific measures that match your action areas and targets.
Develop clear evacuation plans in the event of extreme weather events such as severe storms, heavy rain or thunderstorms.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Minimise environmental and climate-related health risks for all relevant stakeholders.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Energy and climate - Target: Minimise environmental and climate-related health risks for all relevant stakeholders (e.g. organisation team, athletes, visitors). → Health and well-being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
If possible, offer flexible working hours.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Protect employees from physical and psychological risks.
| Potential impact | |||||
Promote a culture of open communication in which employees can address their concerns and stresses without fear of negative consequences.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Protect employees from physical and psychological risks.
| Potential impact | |||||
Ensure that all stakeholders have access to free drinking water (e.g. via tap water from the crane and through free drinking water stations and water dispensers on the event site).
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Promote healthy nutrition.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Minimise environmental and climate-related health risks for all relevant stakeholders.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Catering - Target: Provide accredited persons and visitors with free drinking water => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Create special moments in which the athletes are honoured in an extraordinary way, e.g. with individual run-in ceremonies and performances or special medal presentations.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Design medals or trophies that give the athletes a personal meaning, e.g. by engraving their names, their performance or an inspiring message.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Start the event with an emotional opening ceremony that honours the history and spirit of the sport or tournament. Use atmospheric music and videos or inspiring speeches.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
At the end of the sporting event, offer videos or photos of highlights that capture the best moments of the athletes, including emotional scenes such as jubilation, effort and success.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Make sure that the athletes feel the support of the audience, e.g. through special choreographies, banners or personal messages displayed at the competition venue (e.g. hall or stadium).
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Provide opportunities for athletes to meet outside of competition (e.g. player parties, special meeting places during the sporting event).
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Allow athletes to share special moments with their families and friends after the competition or game (e.g. by broadcasting live on a screen).
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Give an insight behind the scenes, e.g. the athletes' preparations, emotional moments in the dressing room or the coaches' reactions.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Create special zones or screens where spectators can experience the sporting event together (e.g. public viewing).
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Offer a personal meet and greet with well-known athletes.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: Strengthen the communal and emotional experience of the sporting event => Health and Well-Being (AA12)
| Potential impact | |||||
Provide information and content from brochures, newspapers and flyers digitally on an app or website. This means that brochures, newspapers etc. in printed form can be reduced or completely avoided. Signposting can also be carried out using an app (additional information on websites), thereby reducing the number of signposts and information boards. In addition to an app from the organiser, potential apps from the venues etc. can also be used.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Expand digitalisation as a driver for sustainable development.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Minimise the need for new purchases and thus the consumption of resources.
| Potential impact | |||||
Acquire sponsors with innovative products or services that achieve sustainability goals so that they can make these products or services available to the sporting event.
Examples as of 2024: mobile solar modules, self-driving taxis, translation robots, alternative energy supply (e.g. hydrogen technology)
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Develop, utilise and expand innovations to achieve the sustainability targets.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Education for Sustainable Development - Target: Convey knowledge for a critical and contextualised understanding and promote awareness and agency with regard to actively shaping a sustainable future.
| Potential impact | |||||
Use 3D printing technologies to produce the parts you need on site and reduce transport emissions and material waste.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Develop, utilise and expand innovations to achieve the sustainability targets.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Traffic - Target: Reduce emissions from logistics transport as far as possible.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
Use innovative materials, e.g. biodegradable or recycled materials, to reduce waste and conserve resources. These materials can be used for everything from event infrastructure to participants' clothing.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Develop, utilise and expand innovations to achieve the sustainability targets.
| Potential impact | |||||
Create VR experiences to enable people around the world to participate without the need for physical travel.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Develop, utilise and expand innovations to achieve the sustainability targets.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Traffic - Target: Increase use of environmentally friendly means of transport to and from work.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Accessibility - Target: Offer support services for accredited persons and visitors early and proactively.
| Potential impact | |||||
Replace printed tickets with digital versions that are used on smartphones to avoid paper consumption.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Expand digitalisation as a driver for sustainable development.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
Develop an app that integrates all or most of the digital content for visitors.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Expand digitalisation as a driver for sustainable development.
| Potential impact | |||||
Use apps that coordinate sustainable means of transport, route optimisation and waste management.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Innovation and Digitalisation - Target: Expand digitalisation as a driver for sustainable development.
| Potential impact | |||||
Use areas that have already been disturbed or used, such as car parks or vacant buildings, for temporary structures.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise the use of land in natural habitats
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Prioritise existing buildings and areas for use for sporting events over temporary buildings and new constructions.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Minimise the newly sealed area for the sporting event. => Natural habitats and biodiversity (AA2)
| Potential impact | |||||
Avoid using areas worthy of protection such as biotopes or Natura 2000 areas for the event. Avoid any intervention in nature reserves and biotopes in order to fully protect the sensitive habitats there.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise the use of land in natural habitats
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Minimise the newly sealed area for the sporting event. => Natural habitats and biodiversity (AA2)
| Potential impact | |||||
Plan the event outside breeding and nesting seasons to protect sensitive animal species.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise the use of land in natural habitats
| Potential impact | |||||
Erect protective barriers around existing trees and vegetation to prevent damage.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise the use of land in natural habitats
| Potential impact | |||||
Protect lawns or other unpaved areas with suitable ground protection systems.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise the use of land in natural habitats
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Select the sports venue after weighing ecological, social and economic aspects.
| Potential impact | |||||
Plan, monitor and evaluate visitor flows, taking into account soil and nature conservation. Direct traffic and public flows via existing roads and paths to avoid additional land consumption.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise the use of land in natural habitats
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Minimise the newly sealed area for the sporting event. => Natural habitats and biodiversity (AA2)
| Potential impact | |||||
Use motion detectors and dimmed lighting systems to prevent animals from being disturbed at night. Only switch on the lighting of the sports facilities and infrastructure when necessary (especially floodlights) to avoid unnecessary interference with the surroundings.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Avoid any disruption of species when holding sporting events.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Minimise the newly sealed area for the sporting event. => Natural habitats and biodiversity (AA2)
| Potential impact | |||||
Use fences that do not hinder animal migration by integrating wildlife passages.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Avoid any disruption of species when holding sporting events.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Minimise the newly sealed area for the sporting event. => Natural habitats and biodiversity (AA2)
| Potential impact | |||||
Avoid loud pyrotechnic displays to prevent stress in wild animals.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Avoid any disruption of species when holding sporting events.
| Potential impact | |||||
Use a collecting basin and keep absorption material available when fuels or other substances hazardous to water are used (e.g. when refuelling vehicles/equipment). Remove contamination immediately.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Minimise impact on soil and natural bodies of water.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Water - Target: Responsible wastewater management.
| Potential impact | |||||
Create a repair team to bring damaged items back into use on site to avoid new purchases.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Minimise the need for new purchases and thus the consumption of resources.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
When building (temporary) structures, only use materials that (at the end of their life, i.e. after repeated use) can be recycled to the highest possible quality, or at least disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Sustainable building: Use materials made from renewable raw materials, e.g. wood (domestic and certified wood), recycled building materials (chipboard made from waste wood) or products made from recycled plastic.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Implement sustainable procurement and supply chain management.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Carry out refurbishment, extension and general construction measures in accordance with sustainable building requirements.
| Potential impact | |||||
Go through all process steps of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), even if you are not obliged to do so, in order to take responsibility for compliance with human rights and environmental standards along your entire supply chain.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Implement sustainable procurement and supply chain management.
| Potential impact | |||||
Only use materials that are safe for health during (temporary) construction. Hazardous substances can be contained in floor coverings and their adhesives, wall elements/coverings, paints and varnishes as well as insulating materials (fibre problems). Avoid PVC (problems with toxic substances during manufacture, in the event of fire and during disposal), asbestos, formaldehyde, heavy metals and other problematic substances at all costs. The Blue Angel can help with product selection.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Implement sustainable procurement and supply chain management.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: Protect employees from physical and psychological risks.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Carry out refurbishment, extension and general construction measures in accordance with sustainable building requirements.
| Potential impact | |||||
When purchasing sustainable products, you can pay attention to a range of criteria that protect resources and the environment. Here are some guidelines to help you:
- Use of materials: Favour recycled materials and renewable raw materials such as wood or paper. Avoid materials with a high carbon footprint and opt for plastics rather than aluminium, for example.
- Energy consumption: Look out for products whose energy consumption can be regulated, such as appliances with energy-saving modes.
- Health and the environment: Avoid substances that are hazardous to the environment or health.
- Durability: Choose products that are repairable, durable and come with a manufacturer's guarantee.
- Recyclability: Ensure a recyclable design with easily detachable connections and a low variety of materials.
- CO2 emissions and transport: Prioritise products from regional production with lower transport emissions.
- Batteries and energy sources: Prefer products with a mains connection or rechargeable batteries.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Implement sustainable procurement and supply chain management.
| Potential impact | |||||
Apply the following selection criteria when procuring branding and signage products:
- Reduction of substances in the product that are hazardous to the environment or health.
- Resource-conserving use of materials, e.g. recycled materials or renewable raw materials.
- Durability of the products, including high quality, reparability, availability of spare parts and updatability.
- Recycling-friendly design, e.g. detachable connections, low material variety and clear labelling of plastics.
- Give preference to products from regional production.
- Look out for environmental labels such as EMAS or other recognised certifications.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Implement sustainable procurement and supply chain management.
| Potential impact | |||||
Implement recycling and upcycling concepts by reusing non-recyclable materials in a sensible way. For example, flags and banners can be turned into bags. Seat cushions or grandstand panelling from sporting events can also be converted into new products after the event. This promotes sensible reutilisation and the reduction of waste.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Maximise the life cycle of purchased products and ensure the long-term use of other resources.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
After the event, donate materials and equipment to NPOs, educational institutions, other sports organisers, sports clubs or associations and material initiatives, for example.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Maximise the life cycle of purchased products and ensure the long-term use of other resources.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
If you have hired your employees on a project basis: Help them find subsequent employment in the event industry. Introduce your employees to contacts in your professional network and actively recommend them to companies and organisations within the event industry that require similar qualifications. Offer counselling sessions or brief coaching sessions to analyse individual strengths and career goals. This allows you to jointly identify suitable fields of activity or target companies in the event industry. Write meaningful letters of recommendation or issue a reference that emphasises the employee's special skills and successes in the project to improve their chances of subsequent employment.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Maximise the life cycle of purchased products and ensure the long-term use of other resources.
| Potential impact | |||||
Organise educational workshops on the importance of physical activity for health.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: People are encouraged to exercise and do more sport.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: People are encouraged to exercise and do more sport.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Education for Sustainable Development - Target: Raise awareness for the topic of exercise among all relevant stakeholders and motivate them to lead an active lifestyle => Sport and Club Development (AA10)
| Potential impact | |||||
Use your social media reach to emphasise the importance of physical activity for health (e.g. as part of a campaign day).
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Sport and Club Development - Target: People are encouraged to exercise and do more sport.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Health and Well-Being - Target: People are encouraged to exercise and do more sport.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Education for Sustainable Development - Target: Raise awareness for the topic of exercise among all relevant stakeholders and motivate them to lead an active lifestyle => Sport and Club Development (AA10)
| Potential impact | |||||
Erect all temporary structures [(food) stands, stages/"LED walls", commercial displays, "hospitality" (upmarket catering) etc.] entirely from rented modular structures, tents, containers, trucks etc. if possible. Ensure complete reuse without components, interior furnishings, furniture, decorations, etc. becoming waste.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Prioritise existing buildings and areas for use for sporting events over temporary buildings and new constructions.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Resource cycle - Target: Minimise the need for new purchases and thus the consumption of resources.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Waste - Target: Minimise the volume of waste.
| Potential impact | |||||
If possible, use existing sports facilities.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Prioritise existing buildings and areas for use for sporting events over temporary buildings and new constructions.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Natural Habitats and Biodiversity - Target: Existing buildings and areas are prioritised for use for sporting events over temporary buildings and new constructions => Sports Facilities and Infrastructure (AA4)
| Potential impact | |||||
Check whether temporary structures are an alternative to a permanent structural extension, provided the extension would not be used in the long term for popular sports, for example.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Prioritise existing buildings and areas for use for sporting events over temporary buildings and new constructions.
| Potential impact | |||||
Carry out modernisation or refurbishment measures or extensions using or taking into account a certification system for sustainable building.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Carry out refurbishment, extension and general construction measures in accordance with sustainable building requirements.
| Potential impact | |||||
As part of the promotion of / information about the sporting event, draw attention to sustainable accommodation options, e.g. by drawing attention to existing, general information on water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per overnight stay in 5-star versus 3-star hotels, garni hotels or youth hostels or by referring to certified hotels or the relevant tourism association.
| Cost: | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Sensitise all relevant stakeholders to the environmental impact of different accommodation categories and motivate them to select suitable accommodation.
| Potential impact | |||||
If possible, select the sports venue in such a way that it can be reached by public transport, bicycle or on foot and no additional shuttle journeys are necessary.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Select the sports venue after weighing ecological, social and economic aspects.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Traffic - Target: Increase use of environmentally friendly means of transport to and from work.
| Potential impact | |||||
Select the athletes' and team accommodation according to ecological criteria (EMAS, Viabono, energy management, environmental labels such as Green Globe, ISO 14001 or DEHOGA-Umweltcheck). Generally choose a "plainer" hotel category (with fewer stars): As a rule, hotels with fewer stars have lower GHG emissions per overnight stay than hotels with more stars.
| Cost | |||||
Action area Sports facilities and infrastructure - Target: Select accommodations for accredited persons in accordance with sustainability standards.
| Potential impact | |||||
Action area Energy and climate - Target: Determine and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
| Potential impact | |||||