A first for exhibition centres in Europe!

Nantes La Beaujoire Exhibition Centre has been awarded ISO 14001 certification, making it the first exhibition centre in Europe recognised for its environmental approach.

The Nantes La Beaujoire Exhibition Centre, located less than 15 minutes from the centre of Nantes on the banks of the River Erdre and operated exclusively by Expo Nantes Atlantique (majority shareholder: Nantes‐Saint‐Nazaire Chamber of Commerce and Industry) has been awarded ISO 14001 certification, the only internationally recognised environmental quality standard, by Bureau Veritas.

■ A project launched two years ago…

The project that culminated in certification progressed through a number of different stages:

‐ 1- Analysis of the key environmental aspects and regulations for Expo Nantes Atlantique to address, setting objectives, drawing up an environmental policy, a programme of actions on the ground and defining the exhibition centre’s environmental commitments.

‐ 2- Deployment of the various campaigns developed upstream, raising awareness among employees and interested parties (suppliers, service providers, visitors and exhibitors) of the approach adopted by Expo Nantes Atlantique, with the introduction of an Environmental Management System (EMS).

- 3- Measurement of initial results via internal audits conducted to ensure that initiatives taken complied with current regulations.

- 4- Official audit prior to ISO 14001 certification by Bureau Veritas, successfully completed on 14 and 15 June.

■ Five major environmental avenues to explore

As part of this process, Frédéric Jouet, CEO, Expo Nantes Atlantique, and Cyrille Devorsine, Environment Manager, Expo Nantes Atlantique, identified five major avenues to explore on their way to making the Nantes La Beaujoire Exhibition Centre Europe’s first certified “eco-committed” exhibition venue:

‐ 1/ Optimising the management and recycling of waste generated during exhibitions (selective sorting of exhibition waste, recycling of carpets, fabric, etc.), by exhibitors, visitors and exhibition centre employees, and selecting new service providers and suppliers equally committed to protecting the environment.

‐ 2/ Limiting the consumption of natural resources (water, paper, etc.) generated by each exhibition (registration files, tickets, posters, etc.) by opting for virtual documents and by producing a “green guide” for exhibition centre employees, encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly working habits as regards paper, waste, energy and heating, business travel, etc.

‐ 3/ Limiting greenhouse gas emissions by fitting low-energy light bulbs, installing presence detectors to turn off lights in areas not in use, encouraging visitors to use eco-friendly forms of transport to get to the site (tram, cycle, etc.) .

‐ 4/ Preserving the biodiversity of the site by sensitive management of landscaped areas, avoiding the use of pesticides and fertilisers, installing beehives, signing the “10 Commitments for a Natural Garden” Charter, etc.

‐ 5/ Prevention of natural risks, pollution, and in particular fire and lighting strikes. vThe impact of ISO 14001 certification extends far beyond the gates of the Nantes La Beaujoire Exhibition centre. Expo Nantes Atlantique is keen to spread the word of its environment-friendly approach to other private and public sector organisations, to ensure that all the efforts made at the exhibition centre have a wider impact.

Impressed by what has been achieved in Nantes, the Prest’Event federation, which represents most of the region’s events organisers, has also signed up to an environmentally responsible approach.

All these initiatives can only boost the chances of Nantes being voted “Green Capital of Europe 2011”.