Future-ready events in Rotterdam, sustainable and impactful

If you are as focused on sustainable events as we are, the news that Rotterdam has been ranked as the 2nd most sustainable city in the world should come as no surprise. Rotterdam has recently claimed 2nd spot globally in the Sustainable Cities Index 2024 by Arcadis, a leading consultancy and engineering firm. Among 100 evaluated cities, Rotterdam’s green and resilient efforts have been recognized thanks to progress achieved in key sustainability areas: planet, people and future.

Residents and entrepreneurs in Rotterdam tackle challenges head-on. Wicked challenges such as plastic soup and the climate crisis demand change worldwide. We do our part across our key industries, as well as the events industry which supports them, hosting international events sustainably. Whether it’s a hotel stay, dinner, walk or afternoon shopping: in Rotterdam, you’ll find plenty of innovative and friendly alternatives to make a big impression with a smaller footprint. And for the event organizers facing the challenge of producing events with as low a CO2 footprint as possible, we support you by providing innovative solutions for sustainable event planning too.

Eco-friendly travel

Rotterdam’s strategic location and accessible waterways make eco-friendly travel a breeze. Enjoy a good (high-speed) train connection from several countries with Eurostar or sail from Hull and Harwich (U.K.) to Hoek van Holland with P&O Ferries and Stena Line. The ultimate way to explore the city is on foot or by bike, as Rotterdam is home to over 500km of bike lanes. Rotterdam provides you with plenty of options to walk, cycle, or drive green. The city’s sustainability efforts also include its public transport system. Local public transport company RET is transforming its fleet to be fully electric by 2030. A number of water taxis are already powered by electric and green hydrogen, with a goal set for an emission-free fleet by 2030.​

Sustainable venues

Rotterdam’s 3 purpose-built and state-of-the-art congress venues, the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre, De Doelen ICC, and Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam are passionate about making environmentally conscious decisions and leaving a positive social impact. Congress and event delegates can experience this commitment for themselves, with everything from blue, green and yellow rooftops to thoughtful dining menus that avoid waste and showcase locally grown produce.

Rotterdam, greenest city in the Netherlands

Rotterdam is not only known for its port, art, and architecture, but  is also the greenest city in the Netherlands! In addition to popular parks such as Kralingse Bos, the Park near the Euromast, Vroesenpark, and Zuiderpark, the city has dozens of other large and small parks. Looking for green in Rotterdam? We have listed the 10 most beautiful parks here.

Sustainable accommodations

Many climate-adaptive measures such as green roofs and water plazas are visible in the city. The fact that Rotterdam also stimulates conscious, local and socially responsible entrepreneurship is not immediately apparent, but is equally important. Sixteen Rotterdam hotels have joined forces with the Green Leisure Group, BlueCity, Rotterdam Partners and the Municipality of Rotterdam on the Hotel Neutral Project. Together, these parties are taking steps towards a CO2-neutral and circular future for the Rotterdam hotel sector. This means not only saving costs, energy and water but also reducing rubbish and food waste.

The future of Rotterdam is green

As our city continues to grow, so do the challenges of urban living. But Rotterdam doesn’t just face these challenges, here, we tackle them with innovation, resilience, and a touch of greenery. Rotterdam’s City Projects, reshape urban landscapes into vibrant, sustainable havens. In the next few years, they will enhance green spaces reducing noise pollution, improving air quality and overall making Rotterdam more resilient. With over 3,000 new homes, floating parks, beautiful elevated walkways amongst the treetops and many more exciting developments, Rotterdam is stepping ahead in making the city more future-focused, more liveable and enjoyable. Read more here.

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Why Rotterdam Discover why Rotterdam is the ultimate choice for international conferences and business events.
Find your venue or service Search for remarkable venues, a diverse array of accommodation options & services.
How we help Discover how we can help make your next event in Rotterdam impactful.
Catherine Kalamidas Business Development Manager International Congresses & Events - Life Sciences & Health / IT & Tech / Agri & Food +31 (0)6 40124552
c.kalamidas@rotterdampartners.nl
linkedin.com/in/catherinekalamidas/
Vincent Giljam Business Development Manager International Congresses & Events – IT & Tech / Urban Planning +31 (0)624158712
v.giljam@rotterdampartners.nl
linkedin.com/in/vincent-giljam-37709757/
Maaike Hamann Business Development Manager International Congresses & Events - Life Sciences & Health +31 (0)6 12768101
m.hamann@rotterdampartners.nl
linkedin.com/in/maaike-hamann-van-den-boomen/
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