The Helsinki International Horse Show is the largest annual indoor horse show in Finland. The event aims to become the world’s leading sustainable equestrian event. This is achieved through an ambitious Jumps Green environmental programme. The programme will implement environmental objectives and measures and minimise adverse environmental impacts.
Work towards sustainability started already in 2017 and from 2022 onwards, the full carbon footprint and environmental impact of the event has been calculated and mapped. The carbon footprint mapping takes into account emissions from the movement of employees, visitors, competitors, horses and collaborators, as well as from catering. The carbon footprint is calculated annually with the aim of reducing the event’s carbon footprint each year.
The Horse Show was awarded the Ekokompass certificate in 2019.The Ekokompass environmental programme helps the event to adopt environmental issues and guides it on the path of continuous improvement.
Food waste is reduced at the food preparation stage, both in public restaurants and in Crew Catering kitchens. We also hope that those dining at buffets will pay particular attention to waste prevention.
Vegetarian and vegan options will be available at the event. There will be vegetarian options at every stall and vegan options at several stalls. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options at the food stalls and Crew Catering will have a vegetarian option available on all days. In 2024, VIP Lounge will have a vegetarian menu.
Did you know that…
The environmental impact of beef is more than 20 times greater than that of broad beans!
All participants in the event, from staff, exhibitors and the public, will be offered the opportunity to recycle waste efficiently. Recycling points will be located around the hall. The Horse Show’s Jumps Green group will be on hand to advise on recycling.
The event now only has mixed and organic waste for recycling. However, this does not mean that we have abandoned our principle of efficient recycling, quite the contrary. New AI-based technology is replacing manual sorting of waste materials, making it more accurate and efficient. With the conveyor ring, we will improve the Horse Show’s recycling rate, reduce emissions and meet EU recycling rate targets.
Special attention will be paid to procurement to minimise waste. Digital solutions have increasingly replaced printed products. For example, starting lists and handbooks are digital.
There is a water point in the main lobby of the ice rink for filling your own water bottles and a restaurant point for drinks in your own cup.
A boost for growth from manure
The Horse Show’s partner HorsEco will be responsible for the treatment of the manure generated at the event. HorsEco is an ecological manure treatment plant that receives dry manure. The manure produced at the Horse Show is further processed into mulch and soil conditioner.
The Helsinki International Horse Show is centrally located with good transport links. The best way to get to the event is to use the principles of sustainable and wise mobility, as there are no visitor spaces for private cars at the ice rink and very few in the surrounding areas. However, buses and trams can be taken to the ice rink, just a short walk away. Within Helsinki, it is also possible to use city bikes, which can be parked at the ice rink. Longer distance visitors can arrive conveniently by train or alternatively arrange carpools when arriving by car.
We favour electric transport. For example, the lorries in the stables are electric. Now the Shuttle Service also has an electric vehicle. Part of the Shuttle Service’s transport is replaced by bicycles between the hotel and the Ice Arena.
We have also launched the Carpool.com service. You can use this service to arrange free and secure rides with other people coming to the event. On the site, you can easily add your own carpool offer or request for an event.
The Helsinki Horse Show is a safe space and no harassment, discrimination or violation of the integrity of others will be tolerated at our meetings. You can use this form to report harassment to the Helsinki International Horse Show’s harassment officers if,
1) identify problems with equality at the Helsinki International Horse Show
2) you experience bullying, harassment, unequal treatment or discrimination because of your gender, age, ethnic or national origin, language, religion or belief, opinion, disability or medical condition, sexual orientation or any other characteristic related to you.
The John Nurminen Foundation is known for its significant contribution to the Baltic Sea rescue effort. Its mission is to save the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. Each year, the Foundation carries out more than ten projects to tackle the Baltic Sea’s biggest environmental problems
The most serious environmental problem in the Baltic Sea is eutrophication, with symptoms such as blue-green algae blooms every year. To stop eutrophication and save the Baltic Sea, a significant reduction in nutrient discharges is therefore needed immediately.
Equestrian sport is one of the most environmentally damaging sports, so it’s time to pay back. Cooperation with the John Nurminen Foundation is a concrete way to take into account the Baltic Sea, along which many riders come to Helsinki to compete.
© Oona Lavonsalo
In 2024, the carbon footprint of the Helsinki Horse Show was calculated for the third time. The event was particularly successful in recycling and waste reduction. The carbon footprint of food was also reduced from the previous year. Walking is the biggest challenge for the event, as 67% of the total carbon footprint of the event comes from walking.
The Helsinki International Horse Show has a new partner for manure handling. HorsEco is a new full-service ecological horse manure treatment and reception facility that operates according to the principles of the circular economy.
