FH Kufstein Tirol honored again for sustainability

At the end of February 2025, Angela Scalet, research fellow in the Sports, Culture & Event Management degree program, attended the ceremony at Landhaus 1 in Innsbruck on behalf of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol together with students from various degree programs. 

Green Events Tirol is a project of the Climate Alliance Tyrol and the Tyrolean Environmental Association, which, in cooperation with the state of Tyrol, promotes an environmentally and socially conscious culture for events. 

WHAT QUALIFIES AN EVENT AS A GREEN EVENT TIROL?

An event can receive the Green Events Tirol award if it is planned and implemented in a sustainable way. To qualify, it is first necessary to register in advance. The assessment is based on comprehensive criteria such as the choice of venue, mobility, waste management, catering, sustainable procurement, social responsibility and communication. Depending on how well the criteria are met, the event can be awarded the Green Events Tirol label. The following categories apply:

• Green Events Tirol Basic
  This is the entry-level category for sustainable event organization and serves as a test case. It is based on a simplified catalog of measures that includes, among other things, waste avoidance and separation, sustainable mobility, environmentally friendly catering and procurement. This award can also be given to event venues that are not barrier-free.
  
  
• Green Events Tirol
  In order for an event to receive the Green Events Tirol label, an event must first be successfully implemented according to the basic criteria. When organizing the next event, it is crucial that accessibility is guaranteed in essential areas. In addition, if necessary, the accessibility of the location and transportation must be organized independently. The culinary offering also plays a role – the majority of dishes should be vegetarian. In addition, great importance is placed on consistent waste separation, as well as on the use of recyclable materials.
• Green Events Tirol Star 
  Star is the highest level of the three categories. An event of this kind must be implemented according to strict sustainability criteria and requires that a successful event has already taken place at the second level. Anyone attending an event with this label can be sure that it meets the highest organizational and social standards. These include complete accessibility, good public transport connections and a balanced culinary offering with vegetarian dishes and at least one vegan dish per day of the event. In addition, every detail is organized to conserve resources. This ranges from reusable dishes, sustainable use of electricity and careful waste disposal to the use of environmentally friendly cleaning agents. The selection of food and beverage suppliers also follows strict criteria: they must operate in an environmentally conscious manner and offer products of organic quality that are regionally and seasonally sourced.

THE “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall) AS A FOUNDATION FOR GREEN EVENTS IN TYROL

Choosing the right location is crucial and goes far beyond the venue itself – the surrounding infrastructure also plays an important role. The most important criteria include the availability of a waste separation station, barrier-free access and the use of energy-efficient technology and lighting.

With the Green Events certification of the “Festsaal” (Festivities Hall) of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol in 2024, not only a strong foundation was laid, but also the way for future events was paved. Many of the required criteria are already met and noticeably facilitate planning, for example, through good accessibility by public transport and the barrier-free design of the surrounding area.

HONORS FOR THE FUTURE

No matter whether sporting events, conferences, trade fairs or celebrations: events are not only organized by the teaching staff, but also by students in practical projects, with great commitment and genuine conviction.