Green event certificates

The 9th European Summit of regions and cities is organised under the French presidency of the European Union (PFUE). The 'PFUE' label implies respecting a number of rules, regulations and values embedded in the European project supported by France.

The European Committee of the regions, together with co-organiser Regional Council of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region and with the Secretariat- general of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU have signed a charter the purpose of which is to set the terms and conditions for the "PFUE" label for events to be organised by public or private bodies during the PFUE.

The Charter for sustainable events adopted by the CoR and the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Region for the Summit, and green certificates of the CoR's event suppliers contributing to the summit organisation are published on this page.


Charter for a sustainable event

Event organisers and partners must take the necessary steps to ensure that the event is as sustainable as possible throughout its life cycle, from conception and planning to implementation and closure.

  1. 4 Rs Approach – Reduce, Refuse, Reuse and Recycle

    • Reduce: take a preventive approach to avoid the creation of unnecessary waste (e.g.: minimise packaging, printing, single-use items, food waste). As far as possible, avoid promotional items (if necessary, choose regional products and/or products made from sustainable materials)
    • Refuse plastic bottles and single-use plastic equipment
    • Reuse stands and promotional material
    • Recycle waste: ensure good waste management by sorting throughout the event cycle and by recycling/upcycling waste.
  2. Promote sustainable transport for carbon footprint reduction

    • The event organisers and partners, speakers and participants are invited to favour public transport to get to the event.
    • All people traveling from France are strongly encouraged to take the train rather than the plane or the car. France has an efficient and fast rail system.
  3. Accommodation of participants

    • Promote accommodation already taking sustainability measures (e.g. EMAS, ISO 14001, European Ecolabel, Green Key), close to the event location or with good access to public transport
  4. Communication

    • Limit the ecological footprint of communication actions: favour digital communication and choose sustainable solutions (e.g.: use screens instead of posters)
    • Communicate clearly with participants and providers about efforts for greater sustainability
  5. Food and beverages

    • Ingredients will be of local and regional origin including beverages.
    • Offer organic, vegetarian and seasonal food; promote white meat and fish on the menu; limit red meat as much as possible and avoid endangered species.
    • Respond to any specific dietary needs of participants and speakers.
    • In order to avoid food waste, set up a system for recovering leftover food and redistributing it to people in need or transforming it into compost.
  6. Accessibility to the event

    • Ensure accessibility of the event to all types of public during online sessions (visually impaired and hearing impaired) and physical sessions (accessibility to people with reduced mobility).
  7. Support for local communities

    • Work with local suppliers to support local communities economically and avoid transport-related CO2 emissions.
    • Keep diversity and inclusion in mind when selecting suppliers and staff, for an inclusive staff recruitment policy, where possible.
  8. Legislation

    • Respect the legislation in force and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of all, especially when setting up the event.
  9. Event Legacy

    • Aim to acquire knowledge on sustainable development through the implementation and promotion of sustainable actions.
    • Foster economic benefit for local communities by working with local suppliers. Ensure proper waste management throughout the event cycle.