Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is renewing its energy efficiency agreement for the new period 2026–2035, thus continuing its long-term sustainability efforts and concrete actions for the environment.
In the new energy efficiency agreement, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (brand name Messukeskus) commits to reducing energy consumption by 10 per cent from the 2024 level by 2035. This commitment supports Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s long-term sustainability goal of becoming a 100 per cent carbon-neutral event venue by 2030.
The Centre has participated in previous agreement periods since 2008, investing in both energy-saving building technology and renewable energy sources.
The solar panels installed on the roof of the Centre currently produce 533 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 168 two-room flats. The solar power plant and building technology solutions such as geothermal heating, district cooling, heat recovery and motion-sensor controlled LED lighting all contribute to reducing energy consumption.
Almost all materials and structures used in events are reused. Recycling is organised in all facilities, and the eco-points in the halls allow for sorting of, for example, wastepaper, cardboard, biowaste, glass and metal. In the first half of 2025, the recycling rate of waste management continued to increase and now stands at 24 per cent.
The Centre calculates its carbon footprint, and in addition, the Events and Congresses business uses event-specific carbon footprint calculations.
“We want to offer our customers events with a smaller carbon footprint. Energy efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand. We train our staff in energy-efficient thinking and report regularly on our energy consumption. For us, sustainability is about concrete action,” says Sustainability Manager Hanne Lindroos.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s sustainability efforts are supported by ISO 14001 certification, climate partnership with the City of Helsinki, commitment to the Glasgow Climate Declaration and the Sustainable Travel Finland label. The Holiday Inn Helsinki – Expo, located at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, is the world’s first Holiday Inn hotel with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. The restaurant services operated by NoHo Partners were awarded the EcoCompass environmental certificate in 2024.
