Our Strategy
Concrete measures have been put in place at our fairs to reduce our environmental impact. In addition, Art Basel is proactively defining long-term strategies for a more sustainable fair.
In particular, the immediate priorities are:
→ The live measurement of carbon emissions across all four fairs, done in close collaboration with its parent company, MCH Group, and myclimate, a climate strategy consultancy
→ The development and implementation of a holistic reduction strategy across all four fairs and associated activities including the reducing of carbon emissions following guidelines established by The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Art Basel has already taken steps in:
- Highlighting the importance of renewable energy sources and reduced energy consumption in our discussions with our venues.
- Improving waste management on site and reducing waste produced by our fairs including by identifying and selecting reusable materials whenever possible
- Actively communicating our goal to adhere to sustainable shipping practices with our freight handlers and exhibitors in collaboration with the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC).
- Enforcing a near-zero disposable cutlery policy at food and beverage outlets whenever possible; promoting a variety of vegan and vegetarian cuisines; working with local suppliers.
- Reducing the carbon emissions related to travel by optimizing team travel, favoring low-carbon modes of transport, and promoting conscious travel to our stakeholders. As a first step, Art Basel currently off-sets whenever possible the carbon emissions from all flights for its team. More information can be found here.
- Encouraging discussions and raising awareness about climate change and sustainability in the panel discussions of our Conversations program, in on-site presentations, and in our editorial content.
Furthermore, as an Active Member of the Gallery Climate Coalition GCC, Art Basel supports this important initiative founded by gallerists and other art world professionals and is committed to collaborating closely with the GCC around the topic of sustainability.
More information on the MCH Group sustainability strategy can be found here.
Art Basel in Basel 2023
Building and fair operations
- For our Basel show, where we own the exhibition site, 80% of the overall energy requirements are met by renewable energies. Furthermore, the Messe Basel venue covers its electricity needs from 100% renewable energy generated from European wind farms.
- The entire wall-system for our four shows is fully reusable and shipped to each location by boat. It has a lifespan of between 7-10 years, after which it will be repurposed for other trade show. The lighting of our shows is being gradually switched to 100% energy-saving LED lighting, and the aisle carpet is fully recycled after the show to be used in other industries such as construction and furniture.
Waste management
Art Basel is focused on better understanding the fair’s waste materiality breakdown through continued collaboration with waste management expert reusecity.
- A waste sorting and recycling protocol will be implemented during the construction and dismantling of the fair and accompanied by an educational webinar for galleries and freight handlers around waste management and sustainable packaging in partnership with GCC and reusecity.
- Waste generated by Messe Basel is fed into SRS (Swiss Recycling Services), a company owned by Helvetia Environment.
Restauration and communications
- All outlets will offer a majority of vegetarian options, with the pop-up restaurant by two-starred Michelin Chef Pascal Steffen offering a fully vegan menu.
- Disposable tableware is not available at any of the catering outlets, and water fountains have been installed in the Messe Basel to avoid the use of plastic bottles.
- Additionally, a novel ReCircle initiative will be introduced for Exhibitors at the Exhibitor Lounge.
- Print products have been replaced with digital communication tools wherever possible. We prioritise working with local partners for the remaining printed matter in use and prioritize sustainably sound paper.
Art Basel Miami Beach 2022
In Miami Beach we work closely with the show venue, the Miami Beach Convention Center, to foster and support sustainable practices.
The reimagined Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is committed to supporting sustainability and climate change actions as part of its corporate social responsibility program, as well as resiliency initiatives in the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County by incorporating environmentally friendly building features and sustainable business practices for all meetings, tradeshows, events, conferences, and conventions held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The renovated MBCC is Silver LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and the new design reduces energy consumption by 20 percent. For further information, please visit: miamibeachconvention.com/sustainability
See our current initiatives below.
Building
The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), reimagined in 2018, features state-of-the-art sustainable design and eco-conscious operational procedures.
Builders used recycled materials throughout the building, with more than 20 percent of materials sourced locally in Miami and Florida. Ninety six percent of construction waste is recycled, and the project has so far diverted more than 38,000 tons of waste recycling.
The MBCC is surrounded by architectural “fins” that provide sun-shading along the exterior perimeter of the building. Specially designed fin-like structures reduce the heat inside the facility, and bay lighting takes advantage of natural sunlight, high-efficiency units, and LED bulbs. This new design reduces energy consumption by 20 percent.
Reduced energy consumption
In an effort to reduce electrical consumption, the new MBCC relies on daylight in the public spaces.
The MBCC has also installed high efficiency LED lighting throughout the ballrooms, meeting rooms and public spaces.
New occupancy light sensors throughout the building also reduce electricity consumption by automatically turning off lights in meeting rooms and ballrooms when the spaces are not in use.
Fair operations
The entire wall-system, aluminum truss system and energy-saving LED lighting is reusable. The wall-system for all our shows is fully reusable and has a lifespan of between 7-10 years, after which it is repurposed for other trade shows. The central storage and restoration facility is located near Düsseldorf due to its proximity to the Rotterdam harbor, and the walls are shipped by boat to Miami Beach. The show does not install any aisle carpet and takes an approach to minimize carpet in any of its special areas.
For catering, where feasible non-disposable tableware is provided, alternatively biodegradable and compostable products are in use. Art Basel works together with Sodexo Live!, who implement the following five sustainable practices: Boosting plant-based meals, driving responsible and local sourcing, reducing waste, supporting communities through food donations and volunteerism, and transitioning to biodegradable and compostable products.
Water fountains are located throughout the MBCC and aluminum bottles are distributed to exhibitors, partners, and staff.
Waste management for our show is aligned with the overall regulations implemented by the venue the MBCC. Art Basel works with local suppliers as much as possible to reduce the overall carbon emissions from transportation.
Art Basel works with suppliers that provide sustainable products in our catalogue of services: Laminate Eco labels (Blue Angel, PEFC Certified, PVD Free), ceilings (EPD certified).
Art Basel is launching a carpooling initiative to promote carsharing amongst the hosts as well as security staff working for the Miami Beach show. Art Basel will cover the parking costs for those who carpool with 2 and more individuals, as well as offer a complimentary day ticket to the show.
