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GOOD PRACTICES BILBAO CONVENTION BUREAU
BILBOKO KALEALDIA is committed to accessibility and sustainability
26/06/2025
The Festival has measures in place to facilitate accessibility for people with functional diversity. Furthermore, the ERRONKA GARBIA seal awarded to BILBOKO KALEALDIA guarantees its commitment to improving the environmental impact of the activities it carries out.
The Festival of Theatre and Street Arts-BILBOKO KALEALDIA runs from Monday 30 June to Saturday 5 July, offering 59 performances by 35 companies from Bilbao, the Basque Country, Spain and abroad, with shows aimed at all audiences.
Some thirty companies of the B Accelerator Tower (BAT) adhere to the Bilbao Charter of Values
20/06/2025
Some thirty companies of the B Accelerator Tower (BAT) have materialised this morning their adhesion to the Bilbao Charter of Values in a signing ceremony presided over by the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, the director of B Accelerator Tower (BAT), Eriz Sainz, and representatives of the companies. Each and every one of them, benchmarks in the business fabric of Bilbao and Bizkaia, have made a commitment to strengthen, promote and maintain attitudes and behaviours in line with the spirit and content of the Bilbao Charter of Values.
The City Council is looking for people over 60 willing to work to devise and improve Bilbao as a city friendly to older people
16/06/2025
El próximo jueves 19 de junio, en el Centro Municipal de Distrito Abando, en Barrainkua 5, se presentarán las oportunidades de colaboración para personas voluntarias en el marco del próximo “IV Plan Bilbao Ciudad Amigable con las Personas mayores”.
Estas personas podrán colaborar, en la medida de sus posibilidades e intereses, en el impulso directo del Plan y sus acciones, en alguno de los programas de voluntariado ya existentes, o en otro tipo de iniciativas que contribuyan a mejorar la ciudad.
Bilbao city council launches a new awareness campaign in the framework of LGTBIQ+ Pride Day, 28th June
16/06/2025
The image of the institutional campaign is aimed at making visible, supporting and promoting the rights of LGTBIQ+ people and showing through the slogan ‘WITH PRIDE’ that Bilbao is an inclusive, open and safe city.
From 19 to 28 June, the fountain of the Pergola in Doña Casilda Park and the Abandoibarra lampposts will be illuminated, coinciding with the celebration of the Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO event – the Pride of Bilbao Bizkaia. Also, on 28 June, the main façade of the City Hall will be dyed in the colours of the rainbow.
Bilbao promotes the circular economy with a working session on the repair and reuse of consumer goods
06/06/2025
The aim of the conference was to identify collaborative projects that will enable the city to move towards a sustainable economic model that prioritises the repair and reuse of electrical and electronic equipment, within the framework of the ‘Circular Economy Roadmap’, drawn up by the municipal company Bilbao Ekintza.
Around fifteen public and private agents involved in the management of circularity in the urban economic fabric took part in the meeting held in the Ensanche building.
Bilbao has increased the selective collection of glass containers by almost 2% and has the most ‘productive’ container in Spain, located in the Plaza del Ensanche
27/05/2025
In 2024, each citizen of Bilbao deposited 26.5 kilograms of glass containers, the equivalent of around 91 containers per person, in the nearly 1,290 green containers installed in the city. These positive figures place the city as one of the three most recycling capitals in Spain and bring it closer to the levels of the most advanced European countries in terms of recycling.
The city also has the most productive glass container in Spain, located in the city’s Plaza del Ensanche, which collected 75 tonnes of glass packaging waste last year.
Work begins on the cycle lanes between Plaza Ernesto Erkoreka and Músico Guridi and the one that will connect Irala with Miribilla
26/05/2025
A cycle and pedestrian connection is being made on Zumalakarregi Avenue, which will connect the Begoña neighbourhood with the city centre and its cycle network. The cycle lane that will connect Irala with Miribilla through Eskurtze park will link up with the existing cycle lane on Askatasuna avenue in the Miribilla neighbourhood.
With these two new projects and those already planned, Bilbao will have more than 77 kilometres of cycling network, of which nearly 36 will correspond to bike lanes or exclusive cycle lanes. Both projects, together with the improvements to the Pio X roundabout and the cycle lane on Deusto Bridge already underway, add up to a total investment of 6.3 million euros to improve cycling and pedestrian connections at several key points in the city, with European funding.
Bilbao City Council publishes a guide to plant species to protect pollinating insects
20/05/2025
The catalogue lists more than 25 native plant species that contribute to creating favourable habitats for pollinating insects in the city. Pollinating insects, such as bees, butterflies and bumblebees, play an essential role in ecological balance and food production.
The Mobility and Sustainability Area is committed to measures that favour the coexistence of biodiversity and urban planning, inviting citizens to contribute with small gestures that, when added together, have a great impact.
The new public bicycle service, BilbaoBizi, comes into operation on 16 June
19/05/2025
BilbaoBizi will suspend the current loan service from 31 May until 15 June to change bicycles. The new system will increase the number of docking stations from 46 to 68 and 1,250 bicycles will be made available to users, compared to the current 700. To facilitate the transition to the new system, users must check and complete their personal details in their user profile (APP/Web).
From now on, users will be able to choose between regular and occasional fares. There will be an annual fee for both, which will be complemented by payments for each use that will encourage regular use of the bicycle. In addition, a maximum annual cap of 72 euros has been set to benefit recurrent users.
More than 450 spaces in the Basque Country join LGBTI+ Points Sarea, the network of lgbti+ safe points to give visibility to their commitment to equality and the prevention of aggressions
16/05/2025
The initiative aims to provide safe, respectful and supportive environments for LGBTI+ people, with special attention to the protection of trans people. The safe points are identifiable by means of signs at the entrances and the map is visible at lgbtipointssarea.eus.
The project reinforces the obligation of public institutions and the ethical commitment of private companies to recognise and respect the identity of trans people, in accordance with laws 4/2023 and 4/2024.
Bilbao City Council approves the 1st Municipal Plan for Sexual and Gender Diversity
14/05/2025
The document is the result of a participatory process involving members of the LGTBIQA+ Forum, different social agents and the different political parties represented in the City Council.
The strategic objectives focus on making the perspective of sexual and gender diversity visible in municipal policies, promoting social awareness, eliminating violence and discrimination on grounds of orientation and/or gender identity and promoting inter-institutional cooperation with social entities.
The strategic objectives focus on making the perspective of sexual and gender diversity visible in municipal policies, promoting social awareness, eliminating violence and discrimination on grounds of orientation and/or gender identity and promoting inter-institutional cooperation with social entities.
A journey through the LGTBI+ history of the Basque Country: guided tours in Bilbao to raise awareness of the fight and resistance
06/05/2025
A total of 15 visits will be offered in 2025, every third Saturday of each month at 12.00 noon, with more visits on key dates such as Pride, Aste Nagusia or Christmas.
Something unique about these visits is that they have audiovisual material where you can see real testimonies of LGBTI+ people who lived through the repression.
They will have a symbolic price of 3 euros and you can register through the web www.BilbaoBizkaiaPRIDE.com or also via email visitasguiadasLGBT@ortzadarlgbt.eus
Bilbao Ekintza organises a business conference on circular transformation and green financing for SMEs
05/05/2025
Bilbao Ekintza, a municipal company of the Bilbao City Council, will hold a new business conference on environmental sustainability and circular economy on Thursday 15 May, from 9:30 am to 11:15 am. This meeting will address the importance of these concepts and their impact on micro-enterprises and SMEs.
The conference is aimed at all micro-enterprises and SMEs in Bilbao, regardless of their sector of activity. It aims to provide knowledge on regulations, transition to a circular economy model, opportunities and benefits, as well as to give an overview of sustainable financing, grants and subsidies available for circular projects.
Bilbao receives the silver award as Capital of Inclusion and Diversity from the European Commission
30/04/2025
Bilbao received the Silver Award for “European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity” in the category of over 50,000 inhabitants at the European Commission competition, which awarded the Gold to Utrecht. The winning entities were announced yesterday afternoon at a ceremony held in Brussels by Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.
Bilbao Convention Bureau organises a webinar on the Biosphere system for new registrations to its certification programme
17/03/2025
In 2023, Bilbao Convention Bureau, in collaboration with a dozen of its associates, began a joint certification process under the Biosphere seal, an international standard that evaluates the commitment of tourism companies and destinations to the SDGs. Thanks to this initiative, entities such as the Bilbao Convention Bureau itself, Torre Iberdrola and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre have obtained the certification, while others are already in the final stages of the process. This programme, which provides technical advice and financial support, is still open and has received new registrations. For this reason, Bilbao Convention Bureau organised today an introductory webinar on the Biosphere system for a dozen new interested parties to help them familiarise themselves with the platform.
Bilbao Convention Bureau participates in a meeting on sustainability, accessibility and legacy with event organisers from the academic world
10/03/2025
Last Friday, the director of Bilbao Convention Bureau, Kepa Olabarrieta, took part in the round table in Madrid: Sustainability, accessibility and legacy applied to scientific-academic congresses, in which representatives of the convention bureaus of Madrid and Barcelona also took part.
The meeting was organised by The Association of University and University Foundation Conference Offices (OCUE) through the Autonomous University Foundation. OCUE brings together the departments of universities and university foundations that are responsible for the management of events promoted by members of their respective scientific communities and organises regular meetings to exchange ideas on the organisation of events, helping to consolidate universities as meeting places and places for the organisation of activities.
Bilbao hosts a meeting on sustainable destinations after being chosen as pilot city for an action and training plan on events
10/03/2025
The city has been selected as a pilot destination for ‘its outstanding track record and commitment to sustainable actions through the Bilbao Convention Bureau’.
The Councillor for Economic Development, Commerce, Employment and Tourism of the Bilbao City Council, Kontxi Claver, highlighted the value of this meeting and the project as an element of awareness for all actors in the events ecosystem. ‘A work – said Kontxi Claver – that reaffirms the growing position of the City as a sustainable destination in the field of MICE tourism for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions’.
The plenary session of Bilbao City Council initially approves the modification of the general urban development plan in relation to tourist accommodation and collective housing
30/01/2025
The Bilbao City Council Plenary has initially approved the Modification of the General Urban Development Plan in relation to tourist accommodation and collective housing. The aim of this modification is to adjust the regulations for the implementation of tourist accommodation and collective housing, in order to guarantee a balanced development of the city. In fact, the Consistory is tackling this issue with a clear approach: to promote residential use in dwellings intended for habitual residence.
The city council opens the registration period for the hotel and catering trade and commerce in bilbao to learn and improve their basque with the biribilko programme
18/09/2024
Bilbao City Council aims to promote a more Basque-speaking commerce and hospitality sector through its Biribilko municipal programme, which has opened registration for the 2024-2025 academic year. A key new feature this year is that students who meet a few simple conditions will be refunded the full cost of enrolment upon completing the courses by the end of June.
Biribilko offers Basque language courses to professionals in local businesses and the hospitality sector, with the goal of facilitating the use and learning of Basque in daily interactions with clients, suppliers, and colleagues. The registration deadline is 11 October, and professionals can sign up on the Biribilko website, by calling 688 739 015, or directly at the euskaltegis (Basque language schools) where the courses will be held, including Bilbo Zaharra, Gabriel Aresti, Indautxu AEK, Juan Mateo Zabala, Matxintxu AEK, Lizardi AEK, Santutxuko AEK, and Ulibarri Euskaltegia.
Positive balance of the lez adaptation period
16/09/2024
A comparison of the number of vehicles entering the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in recent months, taking into account the first data collected as of 15 May (one month before the regulation was implemented), shows a drop in entries of 14.69% in the first month of operation, 13.06% in the second, and 14.77% in the third. This decrease is mostly due to the summer period, but also to the deterrent effect of the new traffic regulations.
Bilbao Convention Bureau participates in a conference on hotel sustainability organised by Eco-One and Ilunion Hotels
02/09/2024
The hotel sustainability start-up Eco-One has organised, together with Ilunion Hotels, a sustainability conference to debate with representatives of the sector in Bilbao on the challenges faced by hoteliers when implementing sustainability measures, from water saving to optimising energy efficiency measures or waste management, among others.
The conference, organised in round table format, will be moderated by Elena Martín Cuesta, director of sustainability at Ilunion Hotels, and Carlos Fluixá Ferrá, CEO of Eco-One. Kepa Olabarrieta, director of the Bilbao Convention Bureau, will take part in the event, along with a large representation of hoteliers from the city. The conference will be hosted by Marina de Diego, director of the Hotel Ilunion San Mamés, a pioneering establishment in adopting accessibility, energy efficiency and social commitment measures. Not in vain, Ilunion San Mamés is the first hotel in the Basque Country to be managed as a Special Employment Centre, with 80% of its team made up of people with disabilities and 15% in a situation of vulnerability.
Monte cabras turns into an oasis of biodiversity and environmental education
22/07/2024
Nora Abete, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Mobility and Sustainability, visited the Monte Cabras area this morning to celebrate the progress of the biodiversity improvement project.
This initiative seeks to recover the area’s natural wealth and promote its revival as a space for responsible recreation and environmental education.
Monte Cabras, located between Bilbao and Erandio, has been the site of significant actions since December 2023, following the completion of the works on the Artxanda walkway that crosses the area. The intervention has included eradicating invasive alien species such as false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), and summer lilac (Buddleja davidii). Native species such as English oaks (Quercus robur), holm oaks (Quercus ilex), cork oaks (Quercus suber), and laurels (Laurus nobilis) have been planted in their place.
In addition to planting native flora, microhabitats such as cairns, a pond for amphibians, and an insect hotel have been created and installed, along with six information panels. These panels provide information on the location and interventions, the insect hotel, the orchid garden, the amphibian wetland, and the cork oak grove.
Bilbao to allocate 6.6 million euros for improvement of cyclist and pedestrian intersections at a number of hot spots in the city
16/07/2024
The Area of Mobility and Sustainability of Bilbao City Council are to implement a number of measures to improve the network of bidegorris (cycle paths) and pedestrian accesses at three hot spots in the city, namely the intersections between avenida Zumalakarregi and Begoña, avenida Lehendakari Agirre and Deusto bridge, and the connection between Irala and Miribilla districts.
An investment of 6.6 million Euro, 50% of which will be covered by European funds, will be allocated to the three measures which will be implemented in stages between the second half of 2024 and throughout 2025
Bilbao Bizkaia Harro celebrates tenth anniversay with programme supporting cultural activities and emerging artists
04/07/2024
Everything is in place for the rainbow to span across the length and width of Bizkaia, from the coast to inland Bizkaia. From 14 to 23 June, Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
New alliances, cultural offers, and support for emerging artists are the ingredients of the programme for this landmark edition. Ten years later, this initiative continues to defend culture and leisure as tools for raising awareness and the struggle to defend LGBTI+ rights, rights which today continue to be questioned and attacked in all four corners of the globe by the anti-rights movement.
BBHARRO has reached its tenth edition and is present in more districts than ever: Derio (Txorierri), Santurtzi (Ezkerraldea), Sodupe, Gueñes (Enkarterri), and Getxo (Eskuinaldea) will open the programme while the grand finale will be the activities scheduled to take place in Bilbao.
Bilboko Kalealdia improves accessibility and once again receives Erronka Garbia certification
27/06/2024
The Festival of Street Art and Theatre BILBOKO KALEALDIA, this year celebrating its 25th edition, has set itself two goals: to be more accessible so that the programme reaches the maximum number of people possible and secondly, to establish itself as a sustainable event, being more respectful of the environment where the performances take place.
To make the cultural programme more accessible to all types of audience, BILBOKO KALEALDIA is to introduce a series of measures that will be increased in future editions. First, the only two shows with text in this edition “Troya” by Kamikaz Kolektiboa (on 2 July at 19:15 at the pergola in Doña Casilda Park) and “Agurea, urpekaria eta itsasoa”, by Hortzmuga Teatroa (on 3 July at 17:45 and 20:30 by the duck pond in Doña Casilda park) will have a sign language interpreter.
The City council of Bilbao presents the Manual of good practices for guided visits along the public highway of Bilbao
21/06/2024
The City Council of Bilbao has presented the Manual of Good Practices for Guided Visits along the Public Highway of Bilbao, a document that approves the joint work carried out in recent months in collaboration with the tourist guide and reception associations of Euskadi. This manual is available in four languages: Euskera, Spanish, English, and French.
On behalf of the guides and reception associations of Euskadi, ASOARTE (Association of Incoming Tourism Agencies of Euskadi), ATRAE (Association of Receptive Tourist Agencies of Euskadi), AEAVE Euskadi (Business Association of Travel Agencies of Euskadi), and Apit Euskadi (Tourist Guide Association of Euskadi), Carmen Romo, Chelo Escabias, Enrique Hernáez, and Aitor Delgado, respectively, signed, together with the Councillor for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, and Employment of the City Council of Bilbao, Xabier Ochandiano, the commitment to adhere to the Manual of Good Practices. The aim of this manual is to give prestige to and legitimize all the stakeholders who follow the guidelines set out in the guide.
Bilbao Convention Bureau obtains Biosphere certification
14/05/2024
Bilbao Convention Bureau has recently obtained their certification with Biosphere, an international reference from the tourism sector that audits a company, organisation or destination’s commitment to adopting measures in support of the 2023 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals. This is the result of a joint process started by the organisation in December together with its associates, thanks to the sector’s growing interest globally to align their goals with the 17 SDG, and which led to the certification of Torre Iberdrola last March.
In the case of Bilbao Convention Bureau, the certification expressly recognises efforts to comply with management standards so that they have a positive impact on society, together with good practices in sustainable and responsible management of the city’s MICE activity.
Ordinance that will regulate the low emissions zone approved definitively and effective from 15 june
10/05/2024
Road traffic is the main source of pollution in Bilbao, affecting both air quality and the acoustic well being of its inhabitants. Every year, air pollution is responsible for almost 10 000 deaths in Spain, a figure higher even than the number of deaths due to road accidents.
The City Council of Bilbao, fully aware of these challenges, has approved an ordinance that sets out clear rules for t he introduction of the LEZ with the primary goal of improving public health and air quality, encouraging walking and cycling or the use public transport, informing the public of their duties and rights, and complying with legal obligations.
The design of this ordinance was developed with consideration both for future air quality requirements and for the current situation in Bilbao. To achieve this, an exhaustive study was conducted of the vehicle fleet in circulation in the last year.
Bilbao Convention Bureau takes part in learning community on social
impact management and measurement
08/04/2024
Measuring the social impact of MICE activity is an
essential first step for making progress with
efficient impact strategies . This became clear during the two workshops organised by Bilbao Convention Bureau together with #Meet4Impact last March. For this reason,last March. For this reason, and to continue establishing synergies with Bilbao’s ecosy stem for social impact , this month the organisation joined the Learning Community on social impact and management, an initiative of BBK BBK Kuna and the Esade Center for Social Impact (ECSI)
The initiative springs from the European Community of Practice on Impact Measurement and Management (IMM), promoted by BBK and Esade since 2020, and will take place in hybrid format
from May until November 2024 . This is the second edition of a programme that this year enjoys the participation of 30 organisations , including educational a nd cultural institutions, private companies, organisations for social and community development, not for profit organisations, public entities…
all of which are established in Bilbao Bizkaia.
The objective is that on completion of the programme, each o
rganisation will have developed their own impact strategy that will enable them to generate positive changes and innovative practices in their areas of activity , through training and the application of good practices Thus the methodology clearly focuses o n collaboration, allowing new members to benefit from the practices of the more advanced members.
Working together on the legacy of events
07/03/2024
This week Bilbao Convention Bureau, in collaboration with the social impact consultants specialised in MICE #Meet4Impact has organised two workshops o n the opportunities offered by events to build a positive impact and legacy in Bilbao . The objective was to provide members of Bilbao Convention Bureau, associates and members of #BilbaoArimaBerdea with the skills to develop a positive impact strategy, and to establish a network of local collaborators interested in introducing positive impact pilot projects in the city.
The sessions were led by Geneviève Leclerc, CEO and founder of #Meet4Impact, and Beatriz Ibañez, Senior Social Impact Consultant of the sa me organisation. The first workshop, in a proactive and relaxed setting, was attended by member companies of Bilbao Convention Bureau wishing to explore the potential of positive social impact offered by the events sector .
Torre Iberdrola, first partner company of Bilbao Convention Bureau to be Biosphere certified
18/03/2024
Only a few months ago, Bilbao Convention Bureau started the joint certification process accompanied by Biosphere to audit their commitment and that of their partner companies to the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals. And the programme has already proven a success with the certification of Torre Iberdrola, which has become the first Biosphere Certified venue in Bilbao.
Torre Iberdrola’s certification is a significant acknowledgement of their efforts in terms of sustainability and CSR, and comes in addition to the prestigious LEED CS2 Platinum Certification obtained in 2012.
Continuous participation
In addition to Torre Iberdrola, Bilbao Convention Bureau and ten of its associated companies are in the process of obtaining certification with Biosphere, an internationally recognised entity audited by an independent third party. Bilbao Convention Bureau offers financial support and advice and keeps its Biosphere certification programme open to all its partners, no matter what sector they are from.
Bilbao Convention Bureau meets bike tour operators from all over Europe to explore new paths of collaboration
29/02/2024
As part of the 10th Cycle Cities Symposium, the oldest networking event for bike tour operators, which took place in Bilbao between 26 and 28 February, the director of Bilbao Convention Bureau, Kepa Olabarrieta, presented a session on the experience of the city in establishing fruitful partnerships between tour operators, government entities and local tourism associations.
The meeting was attended by 70 tour operators, bike-focussed hotels, cycling and travel brands and industry professionals from 30 European countries invited by the Cycle Cities network in collaboration with the local operator Tourne Bilbao. The session was participatory in design and explored different ways of collaboration, effective approaches for engaging with local tourism associations and the increasing appeal of cycling tourism in a city with a strong attachment to the sport.
Rheumatology specialists and Bilbao city council committed to the environment to care for population’s health
20/02/2024
More than 350 specialists travelled to Bilbao for the ‘9th Symposium on Autoimmune Diseases’ organised by the Spanish Rheumatology Society (SER) in the city on 16 and 17 February. In light of SER’s commitment to the environment, the Society sought to convert the negative impact of the conference into a positive one, by planting specimens of Quercus robur in Etxebarria Park, in collaboration with Bilbao City Council.
The global population is increasingly concentrated in urban zones. Recurring heatwaves are evidence of how city centres heat up more than the outskirts. An effect that could be mitigated with more trees and green zones. Parks and woodland are cooler than paved areas. In addition, the shade of the trees offers protection from the sun’s rays, a serious problem for patients with autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Sjögren’s syndrome, as Dr. Vegas points out: “The risks for patients with systemic lupus eritematoso when exposed to ultraviolet light, resulting in increased photosensitivity and systemic activity, are well known”.
The collaboration between the Spanish Rheumatology Society, Bilbao City Council and the Euskadi Rheumatology Society is helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) established by the Agenda 2030, a legacy of much importance for the three institutions.
New portfolio of sustainable tools to promote the celebration of responsible events in Bilbao
15/01/2024
Since 2021 when Bilbao Convention Bureau embarked on the adventure to move towards a MICE sector more in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, more and more companies and organisations from Bilbao Bizkaia have been adapting their objectives to offer solutions that are more committed to having a positive social and environmental impact for our environment . A concern shared by event organis ers and agencies, increasingly more interested in measuring and offsetting their carbon footprint and in generating activities with a positive impact and legacy in the city.
To facilitate and promote this task, Bilbao Convention Bureau has created a portfolio of sustainable tools containing recommendations, certified and approved suppliers and many ideas for working in favour of the SDGs from the programme of any MICE event: measurement and offset of the carbon footprint , reduction and donation of food waste, inclusive and socially responsible contracts, universal ccessibility , organic and km0 catering , awareness activities and support for the projects of vulnerable groups…
To access the link please contact bicb@bilbaoturismo.bilbao.eus
Bilbao presents campaign linking the use of bikes with tree-planting
01/12/2023
This initiative aims to combine two activities that significantly contribute to sustainable development. Namely, the need to increase the number of trees to boost CO2 absorption in the atmosphere and the use of bikes as a healthy and sustainable means of transport.
The initiative is the result of an agreement between the Area of Mobility and Sustainability of Bilbao City Council, through BilbaoBizi, and the Lurgaia Fundazioa Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that works on the restoration and conservation of ecosystems, and in particular, of woodlands.
The campaign, backed by Iberdrola, involves the planting of one tree, provided by the Lurgaia Foundation, for every two thousand bikes rented from BilbaoBizi. This is the first initiative of this type carried out by a public bike rental service in Spain.
Bilbao Convention Bureau and associates start certification process under Biosphere certification mark
04/12/2023
This was one of the major conclusions of the Workshop on Sustainable Events organised last year by Bilbao Convention Bureau in collaboration with Global Destination Sustainability Movement and it has finally come true. The organisation has started a joint certification process accompanied by Biosphere, an international reference that audits a tourism destination or company’s commitment to adopting measures in support of the 2023 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals. Through the same, Bilbao Convention Bureau and ten partner companies of different types (venues, hotels, incoming agencies, PCOs, hotels…) have started the process for measuring and improving their alignment, although the programme remains open to future incorporations, offering financial support and advice throughout the process.
The Biosphere certification is recognised internationally and audited by an independent third party. It is awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) (a non-profit NGO linked to UNESCO and a member of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)) and covers all the sectors in the tourism value chain.
Via a user-friendly and intuitive digital platform, the programme offers the opportunity to access a process of continuous improvement, developing a “Biosphere Sustainability Plan” adapted and personalised to the needs of each company, through the selection of hundreds of sustainable measures and activities.
68 th SEFH Congress, an example of commitment to SDGs from the hospital pharmacy sector
09/10/2023
Last week Bilbao Convention Bureau collaborated with the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (EFH) on the occasion of their 68 th congress . For the organisation, the event was the climax of a very active year in favour of sustainability from the professional practice of hospital pharmacy. Not without reason was the SEFH the first scientific association in Spain to join the United Nations Global Compact . Throughout the year it has been developing its 2023 Project +SOStenible through campaigns directed at minimising waste, reusing medicines, applying the gender perspective to health policies or undertaking to learn more about the social resources of the surrounding area, as well as other interesting professional initiatives.
As part of their commitment to sustainability, the 68th congress of the SEFH was designed with consideration for the environmental and social impact of bringing together 1300 professionals in Euskalduna Bilbao . With this goal, Bilbao Convention Bureau sent a detaile d questionnaire to participants which allowed them to measure their carbon footprint during their stay and while travelling around the city . Subsequently, the SEFH offset the 34.878 t of CO2 calculated through the planting of trees in Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Bilbao becomes seventh best medium-size city in the world in global destination sustainability index
06/10/2023
Bilbao has become the seventh best city in the world in the Global Destination Sustainability Index, where, this year, it has risen to 24th position. It is the first city in Spain to appear in this international ranking of the 100 cities most committed to the creation of joint strategies with respect to social, economic and environmental sustainability.
This result implies a climb of nine positions with respect to 2022 and a huge leap from the 42nd position obtained in 2021, the year in which Bilbao joined Global Destination Sustainability.
Bilbao presents “metrominute”, the map showing the main points of the city to encourage more pedestrian travel
20/09/2023
The Area of Mobility and Sustainability of Bilbao City Council are not content with the high number of journeys made on foot, 65% of all the internal journeys made every day in the city. To step up this excellent figure, the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for the Area, Nora Abete, today presented “Metrominute”, the map that measures the distances and times taken to walk between the main points of the city. This comes as part of the programme of activities organised for European Mobility Week (SEM 2023).
Metrominute is a synoptic map that measures the distances and times taken to walk between several points of each city. The map shows the key points in each city (services, squares, parks, neighbourhood centres…) and the distance between them, expressed in metres and in minutes. It uses the visual codes of metro maps, in a nod to an important mode of transport in big cities, but applied to pedestrian travel.
Bilbao is committed to an Aste Nagusia that is increasingly sustainable and focused on meeting sustainable development goals (SDGs)
10/08/2023
The Bilbao City Council is progressing in preparing the next edition of Aste Nagusia. This multitudinous event has the challenge and aspiration of being increasingly sustainable. This year will once more be in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present in the 2030 Agenda, that will be spearheading for a second time the Txikigune (kids space) in Doña Casilda Park.
From 20 to 27 August, children up to 12 will learn about values in a playful, dynamic and participatory way. They will learn about the prevention and repair of environmental disasters.
We move forward in the communication of our sustainable commitments
14/07/2023
In line with their Sustainability Strategy, for many years Bilbao Convention Bureau has been contributing to raising awareness in the MICE sector about the ecological and social footprint of their activities, promoting and offering viable, respectful and sustainable alternatives to the programme of different fam trips organised in the city.
Throughout 2023, several measures were adopted for improving the communication of these sustainable initiatives . To coincide with the arrival today of a group of Polish agents to learn about the city’s MICE resources, as part of their fam trip programmes, Bilbao Convention Bureau is launching some attractive infographics which highl ight, in a simple and visual manner, measures for reducing emissions and the sustainable resources that the agents will visit.
Bilbao wins the Eurocities 2023 award for its guided tours project on cultural diversity and migration Diversitours / Aniztasuna Tours
15/06/2023
The intercultural community project of virtual and face-to-face guided tours Diversitours/Aniztasuna Tours received yesterday during the Brussels Urban Summit the eurocities 2023 network award in the category “Moving from global human mobility to local community cohesion”. The project aims to eradicate migration stereotypes by bringing participants closer to spaces and projects in three Bilbao neighbourhoods with a significant history of migration and intercultural coexistence. It is promoted by Bilbao City Council’s Area of Equality, Coexistence, Cooperation and Immigration, together with the social entities KOOP SF34 and Moviltik.
New partnership with Theodora Children’s Charity, wich brings smiles to children in hospitals
08/03/2023
Yesterday, within the framework of the fam trip that Bilbao Convention Bureau is organising with agents and promoters from the United States and Canada, Bilbao Convention Bureau launched its collaboration with Theodora Children’s Charity an international organisation that strives to humanise the experience of children admitted to hospital, including Basurto Hospital in Bilbao.
During a pleasant coffee break on the terrace of the Gran Hotel Domine, the group was visited by “Dr. Gogó”, who spoke about her experience visiting, playing with and accompanying children in hospital situations and the therapeutic importance of de-dramatising, soothing and making their stay as pleasant as possible. To contribute to improving this problem, the participants designed their own solidarity pyjamas to surprise a “young patient” in Bilbao on his/her next hospital stay.
Helping to communicate and raise awareness of more sustainable event programmes
15/05/2023
For several years now, Bilbao Convention Bureau has been applying specific social and environmental responsibility proposals to its programme of different fam trips in the city: getting around on foot or by the least polluting means of transport available, calculation and offsetting of the carbon footprint, FLOSS food (fresh, local, organic, sustainable and seasonal products), commitment to environmental and cultural heritage, approach to the most sustainable MICE proposals, participation in local volunteer activities…
As of today, this whole experience will be introduced on a new fam trip organised in conjunction with Tourspain, with agents and promoters from the United States and Canada. As a new feature, the programme documentation will include a section on “Environmental Commitment”, with detailed information on each of the emission reduction and offsetting measures and on the sustainable projects and entities that will be visited. A small gesture to raise awareness among professionals in the sector and to highlight the work of the most committed local actors.
Bilbao presents the “Sustainable Bilbao: 2030 Agenda and SDGs” action plan, its commitment to sustainable human development
23/03/2023
Bilbao City Council has publicly presented “Sustainable Bilbao: 2030 Agenda and SDGs”, the Action Plan for the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the city.
Since 2021, the municipal areas have been participating in this cross-cutting work with the collaboration of UN ETXEA and Coop&Co, in order to “identify the day-to-day actions promoted by institutions, private organisations and citizens themselves, in relation to the values and SDGs, which helps move towards a municipality that is increasingly sustainable, fair, supportive, inclusive, plural and diverse”, explained Mayor Juan Mari Aburto, who presided over the event.
New indigenous trees in the Urdaibai Bioesphere Reserve to offset the emissions of a fam trip
08/03/2023
Bilbao Convention Bureau has just received the CO2 absorption certificate for the 3,607 teCO2 emitted last summer as a result of the fam trip with French agents organised in collaboration with the Tourist Office of Spain in Paris. As the dates were not optimal for the planting of new specimens, it was not possible to involve the group as on other occasions and it was Impredecible Basoa, the certifying body, who took on the task.
More specifically, eleven indigenous trees have been planted in Muniketagana, in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, in a permanent collaborative forest of carbon footprint absorption transfer. The CO2 absorbed by these specimens over 40 years will offset the group’s emissions, as well as promoting the biodiversity of one of our richest and most privileged natural environments.
Around twenty hotels in Bilbao are taking part in a City Council pilot project for waste collection aimed at large producers
16/02/2023
Following the session organised by the Bilbao Convention Bureau on 23rd January, a total of twenty-one hotels in the city have already begun training in order to take part in a Bilbao City Council pilot programme organised by the Department of Services and Quality of Life for door-to-door waste collection aimed at large-scale producers.
Participation in the programme will enable hotels to obtain accurate and traceable information on the volume and nature of the waste they generate, enabling them to make the best decisions for its treatment and reduction.
Workshop of sustainable events
06/02/2023
The renowned expert in the creation of sustainable destinations, Guy Bigwood, founder of the Global Destinations Sustainability Index, and the specialist in accessible and sustainable tourism, Mónica Molina, will guide us in this practical session, in which we will analyse examples of best practices in sustainable event management, resolve our day-to-day questions, draw up a mapping of sustainable initiatives in Bilbao and work in groups to design our own programme for a congress that complies with sustainability.
BEC will host the Innovate4Climate 2023 conference
21/01/2023
As a result of the joint work of the Bilbao Convention Bureau and BEC, the latter will host the World Bank Group’s Innovate4Climate international conference from 23rd to 25th May. It is a top-level event where leaders from the public and private sectors will discuss the most innovative climate solutions from the fields of finance, policy and technology. This marks the return to face-to-face meetings for I4C, which attracted more than 1,200 delegates from 82 countries in its last face-to-face edition.
Presentation of Bilbao City Council’s Pilot Project to improve the collection of non-domestic waste from hotels
09/01/2023
Marta Barco, Director of Services and Quality of Life in Bilbao City Council will present Bilbao City Council’s pilot project for door-to-door waste collection aimed at large producers to the city’s hotel sector. Inclusion in the programme will enable participating hotels to obtain accurate and traceable information on the volume and nature of the waste they generate in order to make the best decisions for its treatment and reduction.
Further progress in the Bilbao Convention Bureau’s
“zero paper” policy
19/01/2023
In line with previous measures to reduce the use of paper in the daily activities of the Bilbao Convention Bureau, this year the Forms application will be used to fill in all the annual surveys . The measure will mean a considerable reduction in paper consumption, as this year alone Bilbao Convention Bureau will carry out more than 300 on-site surveys of delegates participating in some of the MICE meetings that will take place in the city, as well as those attending fam trips and other players involved in its promotional work.
Bilbao is making progress in measuring the carbon footprint of the city’s events sector
14/12/2022
As part of its commitment to measuring and reducing the environmental impact of the events sector, Bilbao Convention Bureau will begin to measure the carbon emissions derived from the mobility of those attending MICE meetings in the city. It will use the “Report on the measurement of meeting tourism in the city of Bilbao” as a base, an annual study in which the sector’s other markers are already being analysed to provide information to guide the work of the public and private actors that make up the city’s meetings & events sector.
More specifically, over the course of 2023, over 300 attendees will be interviewed at around thirty professional meetings representative of Bilbao’s MICE activity. Among other questions, they should answer where they have travelled from, the chosen means of transport and the travel itinerary and whether it includes other leisure or work destinations.
All this information will enable the carbon footprint of the selected sample to be calculated, which will be extrapolated to the MICE activity as a whole in 2023 in order to obtain an initial approximation of the impact of Bilbao’s meetings sector in terms of CO2 emissions.
Bilbao presents its sustainable destination proposals as part of the IBTM 2022 programme
28/11/2022
This Monday, the director of Bilbao Convention Bureau, Kepa Olabarrieta, took part in the Corporate Experiences Day as a guest speaker, taking place the day before IBTM 2022 where destinations and companies meet with a limited and select number of corporate buyers.
This year’s event has been organised by American Express under the common theme of sustainability in the events sector, and key trends and best practices in measuring and reducing carbon footprint were discussed throughout the event. Bilbao presented its commitment as a destination to improve sustainability, as well as the specific proposals and best practices that have enabled it to move up to 33rd place in the 2022 Global Destination Sustainability Index.
Bilbao clinched the 33rd spot in the GDS-INDEX and ranked 9th on the list of the best mid-sized cities in the world
17/11/2022
Bilbao clinched 33rd spot in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), an international benchmarking programme for sustainable destinations for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events (MICE) industry. Bilbao ranked ninth among top mid-sized cities in the world. Last year, Bilbao reached 42nd place, while this year Bilbao has significantly improved its position in the sector.
The GDS-Index essentially assesses the alignment of cities with the UN 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals comprising 71 indicators. In the case of Bilbao, the improvements implemented by Bilbao Convention Bureau and those of its suppliers integrated in the Bilbao Arima Berdea permanent working commission, have been taken into account.
Integrating social sustainability and equal opportunities in a MICE programme
30/06/2022
Bilbao Convention Bureau continues to apply social and environmental sustainability criteria to the programme of different fam trips it organises in the city. This time, it is the turn of a group of French agencies who are visiting the city this week through Tourspain. As usual, the programme prioritises walking or using the least polluting means of transport available. The carbon footprint will be calculated and offset by planting trees and restaurants with zero-km proposals have been chosen for the menus.
The programme also explores SDG 10 (equal opportunities and social inclusion) through the visit to BILBAO FORMARTE Koop.Elk.Txikia, an art school for people with disabilities whose facilities are in the city centre and interesting possibilities for the MICE sector: handmade company gifts, artistic workshops for attendees and their companions…
Elimination of the paper visiting card
04/05/2022
This year, the Bilbao Convention Bureau has finally managed to eliminate paper visiting cards.
Until now, when the Bureau visited a conference or exhibition, it would distribute visiting cards with their contact details to customers to enable them to stay in contact with the Bureau.
However, from now on, customers can visit the Bilbao stand and scan a QR code with all the necessary details.
This is one more step in the Bureau’s digitalisation process, eliminating the physical visiting card and preventing the creation of more waste.
15th Meeting of the Association of University Conference Offices and University Foundations
25/03/2022
Last March, the director of the Bilbao Convention Bureau accepted the invitation from Alcalá de Henares University and visited the university to talk about the transformation of the city of Bilbao in the recent years, and the major commitment made to sustainability, the visit is part of the 15th Meeting of the Association of University Conference Offices and University Foundations. From being a completely industrialised city to the city today, where the city’s face lift and its major commitment to sustainability are clearly visible, have been recognised around the world.
https://www.fgua.es/xv-encuentro-ocue/
Bilbao, one of the least contaminated cities in the world
15/03/2022
The non-profit organisation Berkeley Earth has drawn up a list of the least contaminating cities in the world, and Bilbao is one of them.
Bilbao has made it onto the Air Quality City List, that is, it is among the 40 least contaminating cities in the world. The ranking assesses the air quality by measuring the PM 2,5. The air quality in Bilbao is excellent all year round. The list can be consulted at the following link:
http://berkeleyearth.org/air-quality-city-list/
The legacy is confirmed as key to the events
25/01/2022
The legacy left behind after a conference in the city is becoming more and more important. Organisers seek ways of leaving a positive impact on the destination city and this is why it is necessary to work to offer them different ways of doing so.
It would be impossible to do so without the collaboration of the destination Bureau. Therefore, with a mission more directed towards economic development than simply filling hotels, the Bilbao Convention Bureau is located in the department for economic development of the city council.
https://www.eventoplus.com/articulos/el-legado-se-reafirma-como-clave-de-los-eventos/
Carbon footprint calculation
17/01/2022
The objective, always seeking sustainability at business events, is to ensure that these events do not pose a threat to the environment. That is that the events have a zero carbon footprint or at least it is minimised. This is the reason why the carbon footprint of each hotel has been calculated this year. The hotels, with the best will in the world, have provided us with the necessary details to calculate the carbon footprint of their establishments. During any business event, whether it is a meeting, a conference, an assembly or a convention, every participant leaves a carbon footprint, that is, a certain amount of tons of CO2 equivalents (teCO2).
The calculation of the carbon footprint normally considers the emissions created at the participant’s place of stay (hotel) in the destination city or in the transport used to reach and travel around the city. Thanks to the carbon footprint calculation we are aware of our impact and can take action to mitigate it, by reducing emissions or promoting initiatives to offset its effect. Some of the measures to reduce emissions include the replacement of light bulbs with low consumption bulbs, obtaining energy from renewable energy sources and the use of public transport or, failing this, the use of private electric vehicles.
Different initiatives are carried out to resolve this problem. Some of these form part of measures found in the “Impact and Legacy” section, check them out! Planting trees to offset emissions, working with the local community or cleaning and preparing forest tracks are usually the most effective. The tons of CO2 equivalents include the emissions of all greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere directly or indirectly as a result of the activity.
Three different scopes are considered:
Scope 1:
Greenhouse gas emissions from sources which belong to or are controlled by the company. The most common are the consumption of fossil fuels at fixed sources and accidental leaks of air conditioning equipment.
Scope 2:
Indirect emissions from the consumption or distribution of energy corresponding to the greenhouse gases associated with the consumption of electricity and steam generated by third parties.
Scope 3:
Emissions from the value chain of a company which are not under their control. Examples include business trips, staff travel and the use of products.
Bilbao signs up to the Glasgow declaration
09/11/2021
Bilbao Convention Bureau has signed up to the Glasgow declaration. Following the wave of new generations and confirming its commitment to sustainability and the environment, the Bureau has decided to measure, decarbonise, regenerate and release funding to achieve these goals.
At the same time, the Bureau will continue carrying out the measures established in the Sustainability Action Plan set out until 2027.
https://www.hosteltur.com/147820_que-empresas-turisticas-han-suscrito-la-declaracion-de-glasgow.html
Bilbao ranked 42 in the Global Destination Sustainability Index
05/11/2021
As proof of the city of Bilbao’s clear commitment to sustainability. since last year (2021), Bilbao has assumed the challenge to sign up to the GDS-Index ranking. The Global Destination Sustainability Index lists the most sustainable destinations for holding events from the MICE sector.
In its first year, Bilbao made it to a decent 42nd place in the world ranking with a final score of 60.4/100. There are four sections: environmental section (72.22/100), social section (82.5/100), suppliers (27.5/100) and management of the destination city (58.62/100).
In order to continue improving the city, this year a number of initiatives are to be promoted and set up. With these, Bilbao hopes to improve its position and climb higher in the ranking for 2022.
In comparison to other cities with similar populations, we are ranked quite close to cities who lead the way in terms of sustainability, such as Aarhus and Reykjavik. The former is the third best in the ranking and the Icelandic capital was ranked fifth. The biggest difference with these two cities lies in the Supplier section but we are clear on how to go about changing the situation.
https://www.europapress.es/euskadi/noticia-bilbao-alcanza-puesto-42-indice-global-destination-sustainability-ano-adhesion-20211105101912.html
Entrevista con el Bilbao Convention Bureau
07/02/2019
During the interview with Max Tourism, Kepa Olabarrieta, Director of Bilbao Convention Bureau for 12 years, describes the Bureau’s main objectives for the near future and the most significant events to come.
At the same time, he recaps the Convention Bureau’s strong points, predicting the steps to be taken to continue to establish Bilbao as a destination, and highlighting the satisfaction experienced by visitors to Bilbao.
https://www.max-tourism.com/entrevista-con-el-bilbao-convention-bureau/
