GOTHENBURG
SUSTAINABLE
EVENTS
CONFERENCE
May 21st & 22nd 2026
Gothenburg
Välkommen till Göteborg!
Let’s get together to explore local solutions to global challenges. Listen to inspiring experiences, gain fresh perspectives, and discover ideas you can bring into your own work. Together we take meaningful steps forward and inspire one another along the way.
In late 2025, Gothenburg became a UN Sustainable Lifestyle Hub, recognizing its leadership in sustainability and commitment to advancing local and global action. It is a fantastic opportunity and now it is time to activate this status for the first time, alongside Göteborgsvarvet, the world’s largest half-marathon and a leader in sustainable events. Come and celebrate with us!
📅 21–22 May 2026 (lunch-to-lunch)
Thursday 12:00-17:00 Friday 9:00-12:30
📍 The University of Gothenburg, School of Business, Economics and Law, Malmstenssalen, Vasagatan 1.
The conference is free of charge, lunch and coffee are included.
The conference will be held in English.
This conference brings together leading voices in sustainability, urban development, and the global events industry to explore a central question:
How can local action accelerate solutions to global challenges?
The conference will be opened by
Annemarie Hou, Executive Director, UN Office for Partnerships New York,
and Jonas Attenius, Mayor of Gothenburg.
Program Highlights
a selection, more to be announced
Sustainable destinations
Gothenburg, Helsinki and Copenhagen, the top three most sustainable destinations in the world according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index, sharing insights from long-standing sustainability strategies and events.
Representatives from the UN Office for Partnerships in dialogue on how the UN engages with cities to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Initiatives Lead at UNFCCC, will present Sport for Climate Action.
Sustainability at scale
Göteborgsvarvet will present its approach to sustainability, highlighting how principles are embedded across different aspects of the event and demonstrating how scale and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Learning & solution labs
Interactive breakout sessions. Hands-on workshops where local insights meet global perspectives, enabling participants to co-create practical solutions and bring actionable ideas back to their organizations, events, and destinations.
Can we, through co-creation and collective intelligence, move the needle on current event sustainability challenges and solutions?
Smart mobility for event visitors
How do we make event visitors choose the smartest way to get to our events?Zero-waste events
What circular systems for events do we need to build and scale? How do we do it? How do we phase out disposables?Accessiblity and inclusion
Beyond universal design, how do we create a strong sense that everyone is truly welcome?Legacy
Events can be powerful instruments for long-term positive impact - how do we capture the potential, get to action? How and who can track the long-term effects?
The sessions will be held in English or Swedish, depending on the participants.
What the research says
From economic impacts to legacy and well-being - Centre for Tourism at University of Gothenburg presents how research on event impacts linked to destinations has evolved, as well as current developments and future directions.
Dinner on May 21st
An optional dinner is offered at a cost of 360 SEK per person. Beverages are not included but can be purchased on site.
The dinner will take place at Wine Mechanics i Slakthuset. A relaxed, lively tavern and wine bar serving honest, hearty food, working with local, seasonal produce whenever possible.
Visit Göteborgsvarvet on May 22nd
On Friday after lunch, there is an opportunity to join a study visit in the start- and finish area of Göteborgsvarvet, the world’s largest half-marathon, which takes place on Saturday, May 23.
Additional information
This conference is designed as a platform for dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and forward-thinking about the future of sustainable events and their role in contributing to global goals.
Participation in the conference is free of charge. An optional dinner on May 21st, 2-course menu, price 360 SEK payment is made at the restaurant. Beverages are not included but can be purchased on site.
Additional speakers and program highlights will be announced.
About the UN Sustainable Lifestyle Hub in Gothenburg
The UN Sustainable Lifestyle Hub in Gothenburg is a collective platform under the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, established by the UN Office for Partnerships in partnership with the City of Gothenburg, represented by Göteborg & Co.
It is currently the only active UN Sustainable Lifestyle Hub in the world, advancing “glocal” solutions for sustainable lifestyles by connecting local action in tourism, meetings, events,and destination development with global sustainability goals.
Contact
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Karin Lonntorp.
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Terms and Conditions
We will process your personal data to administer your registration and participation in the conference, plan and deliver the event, communicate with you regarding the event and manage optional services such as dinner. Göteborg & Co is the controller. GDPR give you the right to ask for access, erasure, rectification and restriction of your personal data. You may also object to the processing.
Find our Terms and Conditions here.
© 2026 Göteborg & Co with Göteborgsvarvet
