Sustainable events begin with the venue in which they take place. An increasing number of conference venues and hotels in Poland hold BREEAM certification, confirming their high environmental and operational standards. This enables event organisers to choose spaces that not only meet the highest expectations of the MICE industry, but also support the delivery of ESG objectives and Net Zero Events strategies.
1. What is BREEAM certification
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the oldest and most widely used sustainable building assessment systems in the world. It was established in the United Kingdom in 1990 and is used to evaluate the environmental impact of buildings, their energy efficiency and user comfort.
The certification is awarded on the basis of a multi-criteria assessment of the design, construction and operation of a facility. Verification is carried out by independent auditors, and the result is presented as a points-based rating that defines the building’s level of sustainability.
BREEAM certification is awarded on a six-level scale:
- Unclassified – below 30%
- Pass – above 30%
- Good
- Very Good
- Excellent
- Outstanding – the highest rating, above approximately 85% of the criteria
2. Criteria that a venue must meet
BREEAM assesses buildings across a wide range of areas related to their environmental impact and user comfort. The key assessment categories are:
- Energy – building energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions
- Water – water consumption management
- Materials – environmentally responsible building materials
- Waste – waste management during construction and operation
- Transport – accessibility by public transport and mobility
- Health & Wellbeing – air quality, daylight, acoustics
- Management – the way the facility is designed and managed
- Land use & ecology – the impact of the development on the natural environment
- Pollution – limiting emissions and noise
- Innovation – solutions that go beyond environmental standards
Examples of solutions used in certified venues include:
- water- and energy-saving systems
- smart building management
- green roofs and biologically active areas
- recycled materials
- infrastructure for bicycles and public transport
- advanced ventilation and air quality systems
3. Poland’s Green Map: MICE venues and hotels with BREEAM certification
Poland is one of the fastest-growing markets for sustainable building certification in Europe. Below is an overview of key hotels as well as conference and business venues, divided by Polish city.
Warsaw
- The Warsaw Hub (Crowne Plaza & Holiday Inn Express): A modern complex with an Excellent certification.
- InterContinental Warsaw: A prestigious location with BREEAM In-Use certification.
- The Westin Warsaw: Holds an Excellent certification and is known for its “Well-being” approach.
- NYX Hotel Warsaw by Leonardo Hotels
- Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum
- Ibis Warszawa Centrum
- Ibis Warszawa Stare Miasto
- Ibis Warszawa West Station
- Ibis Styles Warszawa Centrum
- Mercure Warszawa Centrum
- Mercure Warszawa Grand
- Novotel Warszawa Centrum
- Ufficio Primo
- Varso Tower – Highline Warsaw
- Forest
- Centrum Praskie Koneser
- Skyliner – Look Up Events
- Elektrownia Powiśle
Kraków
- Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s Cracow: A pioneer of environmentally responsible hospitality in Kraków, with BREEAM In-Use certification.
- Sheraton Grand Krakow: A prestigious property on the Vistula River with confirmed environmental standards.
- Hilton Garden Inn Krakow
- Andel’s Hotel
- Mercure Hotel Kraków Centrum
- Novotel Kraków Centrum
- Novotel Kraków City West
- TRIBE Kraków Old Town
Gdańsk and Gdynia
- Olivia Centre (Olivia Business Centre): The largest business hub in Poland. Buildings such as Olivia Star and Olivia Prime hold Excellent certifications. A unique event space is Olivia Garden – an exotic indoor garden that supports the microclimate and well-being.
- Ibis Gdańsk Stare Miasto: A venue with a Very Good certification.
- Courtyard by Marriott Gdynia Waterfront: A hotel located within a certified business complex directly by the marina.
- Mercure Gdańsk Stare Miasto
- Novotel Gdańsk Marina
Wrocław
- The Bridge Wrocław MGallery: A unique hotel on Ostrów Tumski, combining luxury with high BREEAM certification standards.
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Wroclaw: A property with BREEAM In-Use certification, focused on operational efficiency.
- Mercure Wrocław Centrum
Poznań
- Moxy Poznań Airport: A modern certified property dedicated to fast-paced business meetings.
- Novotel Poznań Centrum: A hotel following extensive modernisation, adapted to meet In-Use certification requirements.
- Andersia Tower – Hotel
- Mercure Poznań Centrum
Łódź
- Manufaktura Łódź: An example of spectacular revitalisation. As a multifunctional complex, it holds BREEAM In-Use certification at the Excellent level. It offers unique event spaces (Rynek, Manuarte).
- Vienna House by Wyndham Andel’s Łódź: A design icon located in a former spinning mill, a hotel closely integrated with Manufaktura’s environmentally responsible ecosystem.
- Novotel Łódź Centrum
Katowice
- MCK Katowice (Międzynarodowe Centrum Kongresowe): Famous for its “Green Valley” roof, it sets the standard in the revitalisation of post-industrial areas.
- Novotel Katowice Centrum
Szczecin
- Ibis Styles Szczecin Stare Miasto: One of the “greenest” hotels in the region, holding BREEAM New Construction certification at the Excellent level. Packed with energy-saving technologies, the property is ideal for planners who value modern, sustainable design.
4. The importance of BREEAM certification for the MICE industry
BREEAM certification is playing an increasingly important role in the meetings and events industry. As sustainability gains importance and environmental requirements continue to rise, it is becoming one of the key criteria in the selection of conference and congress venues.
Organisers of international events increasingly expect meeting venues to operate in line with sustainable development principles. This applies in particular to reducing carbon footprint, implementing responsible management practices, and meeting ESG standards. Venues holding BREEAM certification are perceived as more credible and transparent in this respect, which is why they are more frequently selected as locations for conferences and congresses. BREEAM certification also influences the image of both the venue itself and the destination as a whole. It confirms environmental responsibility, modern infrastructure, and a high standard of building management. For cities, this is an important element in building competitiveness on the international events market and attracting organisers of major industry gatherings.
The BREEAM standard also promotes solutions that enhance user comfort within the building. These include access to daylight, appropriate acoustics, high indoor air quality, and ergonomic space design. These factors have a direct impact on the delegate experience and on the overall quality of conference events. Buildings designed in accordance with sustainable principles are also characterised by greater energy and water efficiency. This translates into lower operating costs, more effective facility management, and the ability to host events aligned with the concept of so-called green events.
Broader sustainability trends are also becoming increasingly visible across the MICE industry. Certified conference venues and hotels are gaining importance, along with event carbon footprint reporting, the implementation of Net Zero Events strategies, and the inclusion of ESG standards in event planning and delivery. As a result, environmental certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, WELL, and Green Key for hotels are increasingly becoming one of the key criteria when selecting an event venue.
5. Guidance for the Event Planner
As an event planner, you can request that a venue provide access to its BREEAM Certificate or verify its status in the official GreenBookLive database or on the PLGBC (Polskie Stowarzyszenie Budownictwa Ekologicznego) website. In addition:
- Verify the rating: Check whether the venue holds a Very Good, Excellent or Outstanding rating. The higher the rating, the more stringent the standards it meets.
- Check validity: BREEAM In-Use certificates must be renewed every three years – ask whether the document is up to date.
- Use the certification in your communication: Inform participants in the invitation that the event is taking place in a BREEAM-certified venue – this builds trust and underlines professionalism.
