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Working together for a clean future

Sustainable events

Green Meetings in Gurgl

The Gurgl Carat is surrounded by a unique and protected alpine landscape. It is our responsibility to protect this landscape for future generations and for nature. By obtaining Austrian Ecolabel certification as a Green Event Location, we have made an important commitment to running our business in a sustainable manner. Our main goal is to use our resources as sparingly as possible.

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All-together sustainable efforts

The magic formula lies in the commonality of the actions taken. Together with our partners and customers, we implement the necessary measures in the best possible way. As a green event location, regional catering, working with people from the region, no shuttle routes, waste avoidance and waste separation are particularly important to us.

Help us and send us your thoughts, suggestions and wishes on the topic of sustainability at Gurgl Carat.

Please email us at info@gurgl-carat.com.

Green events at Gurgl Carat

There are many aspects to organising sustainable events. For us, this starts with energy-saving measures in the building. Our venue was built in 2019 and constructed in accordance with the latest environmental standards. This has laid important foundations that make it much easier for us to organise events in an environmentally friendly way.

Our contribution to sustainable meetings & events

The building has a water cooling system that is fed by mountain water from Gurgler Ache mountain brook. This allows for environmentally friendly building cooling of up to 8°C compared to the outside temperature.

The Gurgl Carat is supplied with renewable thermal energy by Biowärme Obergurgl. By protecting the environment, we are also contributing to regional value creation.

Gurgl Carat was built in 2019 and therefore meets the current standards in terms of energy efficiency, thermal insulation, ventilation and heating. The building's overall energy efficiency factor fGEE reaches the best value of A++.

Our waste is sorted on site. Where possible, drinks and food come in recyclable packaging or bulk containers to avoid waste. Our employees are trained to avoid waste and sort it correctly, save electricity and use water sparingly.

Depending on seasonal availability and whenever possible, regional or local products are used for catering. Gurgl Carat cooperates with several local producers and suppliers.

Visitors will also find vegetarian options at all catering options of Gurgl Carat. On request and by prior arrangement, vegan menus or dishes can be prepared. Food allergies and food intolerances are as well taken into consideration.

At all events held at Gurgl Carat, visitors enjoy fresh local mountain spring water. The tap water of the entire building comes from the surrounding springs - straight from the mountain slopes to Gurgl Carat.

The Gurgl Carat uses reusable crockery, cutlery, glasses and cups. These are washed and stored on site. This makes an important contribution to the environment in terms of catering.

All areas of Gurgl Carat can be reached by elevator and are therefore also easily accessible for wheelchair users and disabled visitors. All workplaces are barrier-free too.

Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the building. This means that all visitors can enjoy fresh and healthy air.

Our event halls are equipped with special acoustic wall panels. These not only ensure perfect acoustics in the hall, but also dampen sound and ensure that no noise escapes to the outside.

We offer our guests a variety of different travel options. Thanks to the Ötztal railway station and the bus stop right next to the building, it is very easy to travel here by public transport. Once in Obergurgl, visitors do not need a car or any further shuttles, as all accommodation is within easy walking distance.

Opposite the Gurgl Carat, just 15 metres away, is the TiWaG charging station, which is subject to a charge. There are 4 charging stations with 22 kW each.

Use public transport and/or form a car pool - and get rewarded for it! If you use public transport in Ötztal or organise a carpool, you not only do something good for the environment but can also earn money per kilometre. The credit in the app can be redeemed in over 30 local businesses in Ötztal. 

Further information
Sustainable events

Checklist

Are you planning a green event or a sustainable event? Our team will be happy to assist you with the planning, organisation and implementation. Use our checklist to get a good overview of how to make your green event a success.

How can I find an eco-friendly location for my event?

  • The venue can be reached by public transport
  • The venue is barrier-free
  • Smoking is not permitted in the event building
  • The building takes precautions to prevent noise
  • The location utilises existing infrastructure (buildings, car parks, etc.) for events
  • Temporary stands/tents amidst nature will be completely dismantled

How do I choose the right catering for an event?

  • Choosing a regional caterer
  • Focus on local and seasonal food
  • Cooperation with regional producers
  • Large selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes
  • Location/caterer use reusable tableware and reusable containers
  • Caterer takes allergies, intolerances and special diets into account
  • Concept for waste avoidance (e.g. large containers)
  • Waste avoidance plan (e.g. to-go containers for food)

To which sustainable accommodation details I have to pay attention to?

  • Certification or commitment to environmental protection
  • Arrival by public transport is possible
  • Regional/seasonal cuisine with many vegetarian and vegan dishes
  • Use of natural furnishing materials
  • Energy efficiency of the building
  • Waste separation and waste prevention system
  • Rooms and other hotel areas are accessible without barriers

How can I ensure that my event generates as little waste as possible?

  • Reusable materials, especially reusable tableware
  • Waste separation on site, also in the visitor area
  • Avoiding waste, e.g. drinks and food from large containers
  • Packaging made from recyclable materials
  • Purchasing according to needs in order to avoid waste
  • Local suppliers: short transport routes
  • Little or no paper, e.g. digital signage instead of posters
  • No giveaways or only products manufactured in an eco-friendly way
  • Return via deposit system

How can I minimize energy consumption at my event?

  • Consider energy efficiency of the building
  • Sustainable power supply of the building
  • Energy efficient electrical appliances and lighting
  • Use of cooling or heating energy from renewable sources
  • Water-saving sanitary facilities (e.g. stop button when flushing toilets)
  • Information on saving water and electricity is posted

What are the transport options to reduce CO2 emissions of the event?

  • Public transport
  • Carpooling
  • Eco-friendly shuttles and taxis
  • Venue is easily accessible by bicycle or on foot
  • On-site bicycle parking
  • Incentives for arrival by public transport (e.g. reduced admission)
  • Information about environmentally friendly travel options

How can I ensure that my event is socially sustainable?

  • Let all employees involved take part in the planning process
  • Select mainly regional partners and service providers
  • Ensure easy access to the event for people with disabilities
  • Cooperate with local social initiatives
  • Consider gender and diversity aspects
  • Observe protection of minors (e.g. low-priced non-alcoholic beverages)
  • Show consideration for neighbors (noise protection, reduce traffic as much as possible, etc.)

How should I communicate the aspect of sustainability at my event?

  • Emphasize the sustainable character of the event as early as the save-the-date/invitation
  • Inform employees, sponsors and partners about sustainability and train them if necessary
  • Create incentives for participants to also act sustainably (e.g. arrival by public transport)
  • Reporting: documentation of sustainable aspects
  • Obtain participants’ feedback and, if required, collect suggestions for improvement
Sustainability

Frequently asked questions

Green meetings or green events are characterized by a particularly responsible approach to both nature and society. In essence, green events are about increasing energy efficiency, avoiding waste, strengthening social aspects and increasing regional added value. Read more about Green Events in the Alps here.

The Green Meetings certificate ensures that the event location complies with and implements the requirements of the Austrian Ecolabel when organising its events. Events consume a large amount of resources and have an impact on the environment. Green Meetings are characterised above all by energy efficiency, waste avoidance and environmentally friendly travel to and from the venue for guests. Together with the organiser, a positive image can be achieved among the population, guests and sponsors.

Yes, the Gurgl Carat has been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel and our team consistently implements the required measures. We have revised our waste management concept and switched to comprehensive waste separation, including in our offices and public areas. We work exclusively with reusable containers and reusable tableware, thereby avoiding a large amount of waste. Our employees are trained in the eco-label and implement it in their work.

We implement a wide range of measures in our company. We have programmes for waste prevention and waste separation, and we ensure that the building is heated and ventilated as energy-efficiently as possible. We save electricity and use lighting in the building responsibly. We buy regional and seasonal products wherever possible and do not make unnecessary purchases of items that we do not need multiple times. In customer meetings, we also try to convince event organisers to follow this approach.

Yes, definitely, and this is something we actively encourage. We provide organisers with numerous tips and tricks for planning and staging sustainable events. Our team is always on hand to answer questions and find solutions. A good example of this is the supporting programme for the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup 2023, which we implemented entirely as a Green Meeting.