10 Ways to make your corporate event more sustainable in Malta, Portugal, and Italy

At ECMeetings, we’ve been designing sustainable corporate events across Malta, Portugal, and Italy for many years. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a mindset built into every step of the event planning process.

From reducing carbon emissions and working with eco-certified suppliers to facilitating meaningful, hands-on CSR experiences, we help companies host high-impact events that respect the environment, support local communities, and leave lasting impressions.

1. Start by measuring your event’s footprint

The first step in creating a more sustainable event is understanding its impact. We help clients calculate emissions related to travel, accommodation, and venue energy use using trusted tools like:

· ICAO Carbon Calculator · MyClimate · Sustainable Travel International

Once your carbon footprint is calculated, we can support offsetting strategies through verified programs.

2. Walkability & local discovery over long transfers

Keeping logistics simple can significantly reduce your event’s environmental footprint. In Malta, for example, we often work with The Phoenicia Hotel, which is ideally located within walking distance of stunning venues, historical landmarks, and excellent dining options. Attendees can explore much of Valletta on foot or enjoy low-impact transport such as sailing boats to coastal venues.

Rather than hosting everything at one property, we design programs that encourage exploration without excess travel—balancing sustainability with authentic local experiences.

3. Choose ECO-certified venues

We work with top-tier venues that are committed to sustainability. In Malta, leading MICE hotels such as the Hilton Malta, The Westin Dragonara Resort, and the Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa are ECO-certified by the Malta Tourism Authority for their commitment to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental practices.

View Malta’s ECO-certified hotels

We’ve developed close relationships with these venues, making it easy to integrate sustainability into every stage of your event—from planning to execution.

4. Go digital and ditch paper

At a recent life sciences conference in Rome, we replaced all printed materials with a branded mobile app, QR-coded signage, and digital agendas—saving over 10,000 pages of paper. This format has since become our standard recommendation for large conferences.

Going digital not only supports your sustainability goals but also delivers a sleek, modern user experience for participants.

5. Thoughtful gifting with local impact

Say goodbye to disposable giveaways. We work with local suppliers to provide meaningful, sustainable gifts like Portuguese cork accessories, branded bamboo utensil sets, and handmade local ceramics.

In some cases, clients choose to forgo gifts entirely, opting instead to donate to local causes. For a leadership event in Malta, we helped coordinate a donation to a marine conservation NGO—a gesture that was appreciated more than any branded item could be.

6. Plant-based, locally sourced menus

Food is a high-impact area where small changes make a big difference. We help clients build menus that highlight plant-based dishes and locally sourced ingredients.

In Italy, that might include seasonal vegetables, handmade pasta, and olive oil from nearby farms. In Portugal, we’ve served vegan takes on traditional dishes like caldo verde with meat-free chouriço and roasted vegetable cataplanas. We also coordinate food donations with Re-food Portugal, helping redistribute leftovers to those in need—like the 250+ meals donated after a recent tech conference in Lisbon.

7. CSR with a cultural twist

We create CSR activities that are immersive, impactful, and aligned with local culture.

In Malta, one group helped restore a garden for children with disabilities, creating a safe and inspiring outdoor space. We also work with Coast is Clear Malta to organize coastal clean-ups, often using kayaks or paddleboards to reach harder-to-clean areas.

In Portugal, we offer zero-waste table décor workshops, where participants design beautiful centrepieces using locally sourced vegetables and herbs. After the event, these items are donated through Re-food Portugal, combining creativity with social good.

We also support Lisbon’s local tile art scene through azulejo painting workshops, where guests create their own tiles or watch local artists paint them live during the event. These tiles are later repurposed as unique gifts, directly supporting the local artisan community.

In Italy, we organize activities like olive harvesting and dry-stone wall restoration, offering hands-on cultural engagement while supporting sustainability in rural areas.

We also collaborate with SolarBuddy, enabling participants to assemble solar-powered lights for children living in energy poverty—adding a powerful global impact to your event.

8. Waste reduction at the source

We help reduce waste through simple, effective measures like clearly labelled recycling and compost stations, reusable materials, and smart venue partnerships. Whether it’s eliminating single-use plastics or cutting back on unnecessary packaging, we ensure sustainability is built into your event’s design from the ground up.

9. Smarter, greener transport

We prioritize shared group transport and, where possible, electric or low-emission vehicles. In Portugal’s Douro Valley, we coordinated a multi-day program using scenic train and riverboat travel, offering a low-impact and uniquely local way to explore.

In Italy, the train network is ideal for connecting cities while minimizing emissions. Whether you’re traveling from Rome to Florence or Venice to Milan, we build rail-based itineraries that are efficient, comfortable, and sustainable.

10. S’wheat reusable bottles & water stations

We frequently supply branded S’wheat bottles—made from plants and designed for reuse—alongside convenient water refill stations, even during off-site activities. At a recent conference in Malta, this initiative eliminated more than 3,000 single-use plastic bottles from the waste stream.

Sustainability, seamlessly managed

Sustainability and standout events can absolutely go hand-in-hand. With the right local partner, you can create unforgettable experiences that reflect your company’s values—and positively impact the destinations you visit.

With over a decade of experience in sustainable event management across Malta, Portugal, and Italy, ECMeetings brings local insight, trusted partnerships, and creative solutions to every project.

Let’s talk

Ready to make your next corporate event greener—and more meaningful? Get in touch with us to start planning your sustainable MICE event in Southern Europe info@ecmeetings.com.