Oktoberfest in harmony with nature: Schottenhamel offsets CO2!

Oktoberfest in harmony with nature: Schottenhamel offsets CO2!

In the heart of Munich, where the annual Oktoberfest attracts millions of tourists, the Schottenhamel Festhalle is a shining example of environmentally conscious behavior. At a time when climate protection is becoming increasingly important, the company has decided to take action and is therefore supporting the Zukunft+ initiative, which was launched by the Munich and Ebersberg districts.

Estimates from 2023 show that around 1,400 tons of CO2 were generated during the festive events in the Schottenhamel Hall. In order to offset these emissions, the Festhalle has acquired the relevant Future+ certificates, which has led to the emissions being offset. District Administrator Christoph Göbel impressively presented the festival hosts with a wooden sign as a symbol of support, which is now prominently displayed at the entrance to the hall. It is intended to show visitors that climate protection is also the focus of large celebrations.

Emissions reduction strategies

The Festhalle Schottenhamel is not only committed to compensation, but is also actively pursuing strategies to reduce its emissions. For example, the range of vegan dishes is continually being expanded in order to reduce the ecological footprint. In addition, LED lighting and other resource-saving measures are already being implemented or planned. These include, among other things, the introduction of larger packaging units for grocery shopping and the abolition of disposable paper cups in the kitchen. This commitment is intended not only to improve the CO2 balance, but also to make a small, but important, contribution to environmental protection.

A climate protection project in the region will also be supported with financial support totaling around 28,500 euros from the hall fund. For every tonne of CO2 balanced, nine euros flow into the project “Forest conversion in the Ebersberger Forest – autumn planting 2024”. The aim is to transform the unstable spruce forests into sustainable mixed forests with native tree species. This underlines the Festhalle's commitment not only at a regional but also at an international level by supporting projects to provide efficient cooking stoves in countries in the Global South.

The guidelines of Aktion Zukunft+ place emphasis on first avoiding and reducing emissions before compensation comes into play. In this initiative, companies are encouraged to actively address their emissions and take appropriate measures. In this spirit, the Festhalle Schottenhamel also shows itself to be a responsible player who aligns its products and services with modern sustainability standards.

District Administrator Christoph Göbel clearly emphasized the importance of this initiative: "I am pleased that the Schottenhamel company, another renowned and well-known company, has decided to use the Aktion Zukunft+ offer in its climate protection efforts. Every contribution advances climate protection worldwide, but also specifically in our region, locally in the districts of Munich and Ebersberg." This shows a strong awareness of climate change, which is becoming increasingly important for companies and citizens alike.

For more detailed information about the initiatives and projects of Aktion Zukunft+, see the website www.unser-wuermtal.de a good starting point.