ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Schönbrunn Group (Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H.) administers the premier attractions of Austria’s imperial heritage, including Schönbrunn Palace, the Vienna Furniture Museum, the Sisi Museum in the Vienna Hofburg, and Schloss Hof Estate.

We maintain the heritage that has been entrusted to us, continuing to develop it so that our sites – the focus of so many peoples’ interest and affection – are preserved for future generations. We create attractive sites to inspire interest and affection which are among the top global cultural tourism destinations.

Our name stands for the combination of high-level culture and economic success.

We generate our own income in order to preserve the cultural treasures entrusted to our care in as authentic a manner as possible, making them accessible to great numbers of people and developing them in terms of cultural education. We act as imperial hosts, welcoming visitors from Austria and the rest of the world to our sites, educating and entertaining them, and providing an imperial level of care and attention.

We offer an attractive, stable working environment and promote the professional development of our staff in a constant bid to improve our services. We set great store by quality, responsibility, sustainability and team success.

The policy of sustainability is firmly anchored in our strategy, mission and corporate values.

Sustainability is core to our strategy, our mission statement and our corporate values. Across the board, we aim for a long-term, future-fit orientation.

The ecological dimension: We are reducing our environmental footprint by using renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies and resource-saving materials. Our waste management is based on systematic waste sorting and recycling. In addition, we promote the use of eco-friendly forms of transport and rely on a fleet of EVs, as well as electric golf carts.

The economic dimension: Sustainability is a key part of our corporate strategy. We integrate environmental and social aspects into our long-term planning and decision-making processes. Through this strategic focus, we ensure our own competitiveness, minimise risks and create stakeholder value.

The social dimension: We are committed to fair working conditions, equal opportunities and an open corporate culture. Our employees benefit from professional development opportunities, study trips, discounts, health promotion in the workplace, and a positive work-life balance. We are actively engaged in our local region, supporting social projects and working to raise sustainability awareness among our visitors and partners. 

We align our work along a variety of future-oriented and sustainable approaches. We constantly evaluate the success of our projects, taking our lead from the latest state of technology and making use of best practice in collection and disposal logistics.

As a matter of priority, we promote resource-saving and sustainable restoration and conservation concepts and support targeted preventative measures to preserve the monuments and objects in our care. We understand our work as an ongoing activity and duty taking place in a timeframe that spans generations.

We conduct scholarly research in a small research team run on efficiency-oriented principles. We carry out conservation in order to ensure the greatest degree of authenticity possible.

We attempt to keep negative environmental impacts to a minimum by ensuring efficient and sustainable use of energy and resources.

It is our aim to minimise the environmental impacts of our activities and in doing so to provide an inspiring model for our visitors and partners.

Schönbrunn Group obtains 100% electricity from renewable energy sources.

Air-conditioning and lighting in events and meetings rooms are coupled to the bookings system. This means that the supply of additional air, heating and lighting are activated only during the slot booked.

Conversion of lighting to compact and energy-saving bulbs
For several years now we have aimed at replacing the lighting in all areas with energy-saving LED technology. In the Orangery almost all lighting has been converted to LED technology, with more than 80% in the Apothekertrakt converted to date.

Cleaning products are purchased in line with the Austrian Action Plan for Sustainable Public Procurement (naBe).

Recycling points have been strategically placed across the entire events venue to ensure separation and collection of paper, plastics and cans as well as residual waste. Clear signage at all these points explains the correct separation of waste for both visitors and staff.

Regular in-house training events are held for staff to ensure correct waste separation and disposal.

Many species are at risk of extinction as a result of habitat loss, environmental pollution and global heating.

The European green toad (Bufotes viridis) is an amphibian indigenous to Europe. It is at risk across Europe and strictly protected. Over the past few years, green toads have been spotted in the fountains of the Orangery Garden. In order to preserve its populations, every year small bridges are erected to enable juvenile toads to leave the fountains.

Further information on the European green toad can be found here.

Schönbrunn Group and the Österreichische Bundesgärten have planted grapevines in the Orangery Garden on an area measuring 1000m². No invasive alien species are planted in the parks and gardens administered and cultivated by the Bundesgärten. The vineyard is cultivated in keeping with the tradition of the ‘Viennese field blend’ whereby vines of many different grape varieties are planted together.

Schönbrunn Group bears responsibility for the preservation of Austria’s foremost cultural monuments and imperial heritage. Our visitors also contribute to preserving our valuable historic cultural treasures. Cooperation between all parties ensures that these cultural treasures are preserved for the long-term future.

Our website (www.schoenbrunn.at/en/preserving-world-cultural-heritage-for-posterity) provides comprehensive information on how you can contribute to preserving our valuable cultural treasures.

In the Print Alliance printing company, Austria’s first vegan printers, we have found a certified and innovative partner that attaches great importance to social and environmental responsibility. Print material used for meetings and seminars is EU ecolabel or environmentally (UZ24) certified.

Greywater is used to flush the toilets and urinals in the (WC Nord), thus saving drinking water as a valuable resource.

The 253 windows ensure daylight and brightly lit rooms, contributing to a sense of well-being and reducing the need for artificial lighting. Daylight creates a pleasant atmosphere and promotes natural regeneration.

All areas are barrier free. Barrier-free toilets can be found in all relevant areas.

Catering partners

All our catering partners are certified with the Austrian Ecolabel and use regional and fair-trade products.

• FromFranz Catering - https://www.fromfranz.at/nachhaltigkeit
• Motto Catering GmbH - https://www.motto-catering.at/motto-catering/nachhaltigkeit.php
• Trabitsch Catering – https://www.trabitsch.at/
• Pool 7 Catering / Grüner Kreis - https://gruenerkreis.at/de/catering

With Pool 7 as a not-for-profit catering partner, additional emphasis is placed on making a positive contribution for social benefit. 

Technology partners:

Apothekertrakt – exclusive technology partner: BERNHARD-AV
Bernhard AV GmbH is the first company in Austria in the sphere of conference and congress technology to be certified by the internationally recognised EMAS Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. The company is setting new standards in terms of environmental awareness and quality. Bernhard AV GmbH strives constantly to improve its environmental record, making it an ideal partner for environmentally aware clients and hosts of Green Meetings and Green Events.
For further information visit: https://bernhard-av.com/umwelt/

Orangerie – exclusive technology partner: NUNTIO AUDIO-VIDEO SOLUTIONS GMBH
Nuntio provides state-of-the-art events technology for the Schönbrunn Orangery. The basic rig can be easily and cost-effectively extended with further technology as required.
For further information visit: https://www.nuntio.at/

We are convinced that a sustainable and socially just society constitutes the basis for longterm economic success. Together with our clients and visitors, we therefore spare no effort to make the events held in our venues of the Apothekertrakt and Orangery as environmentally sound as possible.

In order to showcase our efforts, we have decided to have our Apothekertrakt and Orangery venues certified as Green Locations. We have thereby fulfilled the many rigorous requirements for the Austrian Ecolabel, a state certification for ecosensitively-run event locations.

With this certification we intend to facilitate cooperative partnerships promote the holding of Green Events.

For further information visit: www.umweltzeichen.at