Environmental responsibility at the European Heart House
Advancing sustainability as a core value
Sustainability is integral to our mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, recognising that the health of people and the planet are closely linked. Environmental factors such as air pollution, rising temperatures and noise pollution are now established contributors to cardiovascular disease.
At the European Heart House, we actively measure and manage our carbon footprint, implementing practical steps to reduce emissions and environmental impact. Sustainability is a core pillar of our strategic plan and social responsibility, guiding our efforts to promote environmentally conscious practices across all activities. When hosting events, we view this as both a privilege and a shared responsibility, making informed, sustainable choices to minimise our environmental impact and ensure our actions reflect our values and long-term vision.
Our approach and initiatives
Our approach is guided by a balanced and holistic strategy, built on four interconnected pillars, each essential to creating lasting positive impact for our community, our environment and future generations:
- Travel and accommodation: supporting lower-carbon mobility choices and encouraging more sustainable stay options for all participants.
- Production and waste: reducing materials, prioritising reuse, and improving recycling across all event operations.
- Food and food waste: promoting responsible sourcing and working to reduce food waste throughout our catering services.
- Collaboration: working with partners and participants to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction
- Deployment of solar panels (phase 1) on the EHH roof to harness renewable energy
- Conversion of all lighting to LED technology, significantly reducing energy consumption
- Reduction in the number of indoor and outdoor light sources to minimise unnecessary energy use
- Optimisation of hot water production to improve energy efficiency
- Insulation improvements in the membership office and installation of solar films throughout the building
- Thermal insulation of the basement, including the garage and storage rooms
- Optimisation of air conditioning and heating in the North building and IT areas
- Installation of automatic ignition and timers for lighting in common areas
- Centralised management of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
Sustainable transport
- Installation of charging stations for electric vehicles to support sustainable transport
- Gradual conversion of the car fleet to hybrid or electric vehicles
- Coordination of staff travel to and from the airport, prioritising group transport and bus use over taxis
Water and waste management
- Recovery of rainwater for watering green spaces, conserving potable water
- Development of green spaces that require less water and energy
- Implementation of selective sorting and recycling, including composting and mulching of plant waste
Biodiversity and green space management
- Elimination of chemical treatments in the maintenance of green spaces, supporting biodiversity and staff safety
- Transition of garden tools to electric models, reducing emissions and noise
Upcoming initiatives in our sustainability journey
Our commitment to sustainability is a continuous journey. We are dedicated to strengthening our environmental practices, and here are our upcoming initiatives:
- Further reduction of consumables such as wipes and cups
- Complete elimination of fossil fuel use (gas) in our operations
- Expansion of solar panel installations and insulation of the South building to further reduce our carbon footprint
- Introduction of eco-friendly and recycled furniture as part of ongoing renovation works
We encourage everyone attending events at the European Heart House to join us in making a positive environmental impact. Please support our commitment to sustainability by following our practical tips for more sustainable events.