As a global membership organisation, we at FIDI Global Alliance acknowledge our own responsibility towards greater sustainability. This means changing the way we have done things in the past, one step at a time. We also recognize that this is an ongoing, long-term effort, and that we will make mistakes along the way.

​

The annual FIDI Conference is FIDI’s flagship event, a key moment in our community’s calendar. However, as an international event with attendees joining from across the world, our conference’s carbon footprint is substantial.

​

As part of FIDI’s commitment towards greater environmental sustainability, we commit to making the 2026 FIDI Conference in Osaka, Japan, as environmentally sustainable as we can. To achieve this, we are working closely with our partners, sponsors and the Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, to make our event as sustainable as possible. We kindly ask you to help us in our efforts by following some sustainability best practices during your stay in Osaka.

​

Below you can find some of the key actions we are planning to implement:

Carbon  Footprint Offset

“Carbon offsetting” allows individuals and organizations to compensate for unavoidable CO2 emissions by supporting verified projects that reduce emissions somewhere else.

To compensate part of our FIDI Conference’s carbon footprint, we offer the possibility for each attendee to purchase a 10 EUR “sustainability ticket”. FIDI will match each voluntary contribution (i.e. FIDI will pay an extra 10 EUR for each “sustainability ticket” purchased). The collected funds will go to a project from the United Nations Carbon Offset Platform.

​​
 

Sustainable travel
 

Travel is one of the biggest contributors to our event’s carbon footprint, so choosing greener ways to get to and around Osaka can make a real difference.

​

Japan is renowned for its efficient, clean and reliable public transport system. We encourage all delegates to:

​

• Use trains where possible – if arriving internationally through Tokyo or other major airports, consider taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka instead of a domestic flight. The train is significantly less polluting, and one of the fastest ways to travel.​

​

• Take public transport in Osaka – the Swissôtel Nankai Osaka is located directly above Namba Station, offering excellent access to metro and regional rail services. Taxis and private transfers can be avoided in most cases.

​​

• Walk when you can – many city attractions, shops, and restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel. Exploring on foot not only reduces emissions but lets you discover more of Osaka.

​

By making mindful travel choices, together we can reduce the environmental impact of the 2026 FIDI Conference.

​

 

Hotel
 

The 2026 FIDI Conference will be hosted at the Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, a premier hotel renowned for its commitment to sustainability. In June 2024, the hotel became the first Accor property in Japan and the first city hotel in the country to achieve Green Globe certification 

Green Globe is a global sustainability assessment that adheres to internationally recognized standards for managing and operating travel and tourism businesses sustainably, focusing on sustainable and environmentally conscious practices within the travel and tourism sector.

The Green Globe certification symbolizes the highest standard of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the travel and tourism industry. It is awarded based on accredited criteria that cover sustainable management, socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation.

​

Sustainability Initiatives at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka:

​

The hotel's sustainability practices encompass a wide range of initiatives:

​

• Sustainable Sourcing: All restaurants within the hotel utilize sustainable seafood, and the hotel maintains relationships with local businesses within a 160-kilometer radius to source produce and other goods, reducing transportation emissions and supporting the local economy.

​

• Vertical Garden: An in-house hydroponic vertical garden grows a selection of herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers used in culinary operations. This initiative reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation and minimizes pesticide use 

​

•  Eco-Friendly Partnerships: Swissôtel Nankai Osaka collaborates with brands that share its sustainability values, including Dilmah, which produces the first ethical tea committed to sustainability, and Nespresso, with 93% of its coffee being sustainably sourced and a 32% global recycling rate for used coffee capsules.
   

• Community Engagement: The hotel actively engages with the local community through partnerships, such as donating items and amenities to the Philippine Cares Calamity Assistance Rehabilitation Efforts Services, promoting waste reduction and supporting local initiatives 

​

• Employee Training: Staff members undergo training on environmental and sustainability initiatives, focusing on waste management and the implementation of green policies throughout the property 

​

By hosting the 2026 FIDI Conference at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, we align our event with a venue that exemplifies excellence in sustainability, reinforcing our commitment to environmental responsibility.

​

​

Reducing the impact of our meals

 

What we eat has a big impact on the environment. Reducing our consumption of certain types of foods, (like red meat) can help us reduce our carbon footprint. That is why we are working closely with our providers to offer you, where possible, a selection of meals prepared with locally sourced and environmentally conscious ingredients. We will also do a "meatless Monday" lunch buffet and provide a larger selection of vegetarian options throughout the conference.

 

At registration, you will receive a sustainable water bottle, if you have indicated that you want one when registering.. Water fountains will be available throughout the conference area, so no need for you to buy single-use plastic bottles to keep hydrated!

​

2026 FIDI Conference on-site promotions & Information material

•    Where possible, we will use paperless technology and avoid paper print-outs. The 2026 FIDI Conference programme, attendees list, etc. will be exclusively available via the 2026 FIDI Conference app and website.
•    We will try to source the most environmentally respectful option for any printed material and assets.
•    We encourage our sponsors to also distribute their promotional material in a paperless manner and/or on recycled paper where possible.
•    Where possible, we will re-use assets from previous conferences, such as roll-ups, lanyards and brochures.
•    Our attendee badges will be printed on biodegradable material.

 

If you are attending the 2026 FIDI Conference, what can you do to help reduce the environmental impact of the event? 
 

• Participate in the 2026 FIDI Conference carbon offsetting project by purchasing the voluntary “sustainability ticket” for 10 EUR per attendee. FIDI will match each voluntary contribution.

​

• Where possible, avoid using printed promotional material, business cards or plastic gifts for your fellow attendees – try finding digital or environmentally friendly alternatives!

​

• Even if you are not a vegetarian, challenge yourself to eat less meat – you will find that most restaurants in Osaka have many excellent vegetarian (and even vegan) options on offer!

​

• During your stay at the hotel, follow basic environmentally conscious best practices, for example: reuse your towels and decline housekeeping for the duration of your stay; avoid wasting water unnecessarily; switch off the air-conditioning (and the lights!) when you leave your room; etc.

​

• Where possible, avoid using plastic bottles or single-use plastic cups or containers.

​

• If you – as an individual or in your company – follow specific or innovative environmental best practices, share them with us and your fellow attendees. Lead by example and share your experience!

​

If during the 2026 FIDI Conference you notice something that we could do better or if you have ideas on how we could improve our event’s environmental impact, please let us know at admin@fidievents.org

We are only at the start of our journey to reduce the FIDI Conference’s environmental impact. We will make mistakes along the way – but we promise to try our best. Please help us to make our conference a truly environmentally responsible event. By making small changes and taking responsibility for our actions together, we can make an impact.