ICC.gent – Sustainability as a foundation
At ICC.gent, sustainability is not an addition, but a starting point. In every choice, every collaboration, and every investment, we purposefully build toward our ambition: to become a fossil-free convention center and the most sustainable in Flanders.
A key pillar in this transition is geothermal energy. Thanks to geothermal drilling, we harness natural heat from the earth to heat and cool the building sustainably. This renewable energy source allows us to become independent of fossil fuels and significantly reduce our ecological footprint.
For us, sustainability also means thinking and acting locally. That is why we consciously choose suppliers and partners within a maximum radius of 15 kilometers around ICC.gent. From catering to technical support: by collaborating locally, we shorten transport distances, support the regional economy, and build strong, sustainable relationships.
An additional sustainable asset is our excellent location near the Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station. Thanks to this proximity, we encourage visitors and organizers to travel by train, the most environmentally friendly means of transport for long distances. In this way, we make sustainable mobility not only possible but also attractive and easily accessible.
Our catering partners work with local, organic, and seasonal products, with maximum attention to circularity and plant-based alternatives. Energy-efficient audiovisual systems ensure a high-quality event experience with minimal impact.
In combination with green electricity, energy-efficient installations, and circular materials, ICC.gent is evolving into a completely fossil-free convention center. In this way, we create a place where innovation and responsibility meet, and where every encounter contributes to a more sustainable future.
Energy
- Fossil-free building
- Solar panels
- Geothermal energy
- Energy-efficient HVAC systems
- Smart energy management
- Renewable energy integration
- E-bike charging points
Catering
- At least 50% strong plant-based offering
- Local and seasonal products
- Transparent origin of ingredients
- Low CO2 footprint calculations
- Zero-waste approach
- Brainfood concepts for focus and energy
- Allergen management – transparent labeling
- Logistical perfection
- Availability of water fountains
Waste
- Zero-waste policy
- No single-use plastics
- Reusable materials as standard
- Digital communication instead of print
- Reusable signage and event materials
- Catering without disposable packaging
- Central recycling points
- Measuring waste volume per event and reporting to organizers
Mobility
- Priority on sustainable modes of transport
- Train as primary international access
- Excellent location near Gent-Sint-Pieters station
- Public transport as the standard option
- Walking and cycling as the logical choice
- Minimal dependence on individual car use
- Underground bicycle parking for up to 1,000 spaces
- Appointment of a Mobility Manager
- Centralizing deliveries …
Circularity
- Preservation of existing building structure
- Reconversion instead of demolition and new construction
- Maximum reuse of existing materials
- Minimal production of new raw materials
- Focus on reusable materials
- Dismountable structures
- Modular
Green decoration
- Permanent, living plants integrated into the building
- Connection with the Citadel Park
- Minimal water and maintenance requirements
- Better air quality
- Better acoustics
- Thermal comfort
- Visitor well-being