Sustainability

Green conference venue

The Lyon Convention Centre is ISO 14001 and 20121 certified, in recognition of its commitment to sustainable event management, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting local economic and social development.

Managed by GL events, the venue takes a range of measures to optimise energy and water consumption, reduce disposable materials and minimise its environmental impact. Find out more about the venue’s sustainability efforts.

Eco-friendly transportation

Located in the heart of Lyon’s Cité Internationale, next to Tête d'Or Park, the Lyon Convention Centre is easily accessible by public transport, bicycle and on foot.

We encourage attendees to choose lower-impact ways of travelling to and from the conference wherever possible. Find out more about getting to the Lyon Convention Centre.

Waste management

The Lyon Convention Centre works with its partners to collect, sort and compost bio-waste. This organic waste is used to grow vegetables in a local market garden that supports young people through social integration programmes. The venue’s catering partner then purchases this produce for use in its services.

An on-site waste collection centre also sorts and recycles waste generated by events and venue operations.

Sustainable printing and production

We are reducing paper use by using digital solutions such as the conference app, online registration and the event website.

Where printed signage and branding are required, we aim to work with local suppliers and use recyclable or reusable materials wherever possible.

All giveaway items in IB welcome bags are made with recyclable materials and designed for reusability. 

Sustainable catering

The Lyon Convention Centre is taking steps to reduce food waste and single-use plastics. Unconsumed food and beverages are distributed to local associations, while compostable dishware and reusable glass bottles are used instead of single-use plastic bottles. These efforts help prevent approximately 50,000 plastic bottles from entering the event cycle each year.

Our caterer, Magner Catering, supports sustainable events through seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, reusable tableware, and recyclable or compostable materials. No plastic is used, and food waste is sorted for composting or redistribution, while glass and cardboard are recycled. The caterer is also ISO 20121 certified and sources 68% of its suppliers within 150 km of the event.

Community engagement

The IB is committed to supporting the local community beyond the conference. We will work with local organizations to donate leftover stationery and materials, ensuring that surplus resources are put to good use.

We are also pleased to partner with UNICEF, with UNICEF managing the conference cloakroom. As part of this partnership, the IB will make a donation, and attendees will also have the opportunity to contribute. Together, these donations will support UNICEF programmes in education, nutrition and health, helping create better opportunities and brighter futures for vulnerable children.

Do your part!

We invite all attendees of the IB Global Conference, Lyon 2026, to actively participate in our sustainability initiatives:

1. Take public transport or cycle to reduce carbon emissions.
2. Use the conference app instead of printing the programme.
3. Bring a reusable water bottle (or use the one in your delegate bag) and refill it at water stations around the venue.
4. Eat mindfully—take only what you can finish.
5. Sort your waste into the designated bins.

Small actions collectively make a big impact. Together, we can make the IB Global Conference, Lyon 2026 a more sustainable event and inspire positive change beyond the conference.