Bundespresseball: Climate action takes the floor

Once a year, the Bundespresseball brings together leading figures from politics, media, business, and society at Berlin's Hotel Adlon Kempinski. The Bundespressekonferenz e. V. has been organising the ball since 1951, and it's long been about more than just glitz and glamour. The Bundespresseball promotes democracy and freedom of the press. In addition, the organisers attach great importance to their responsibility of the environment.

Climate action as a constant factor

Since 2019, the Bundespresseball has been working with ClimatePartner to make the event as sustainable as possible. Its focus is on:

• Accurately calculating carbon emissions
• Avoiding and reducing emissions
• Supporting climate projects

What once began as a voluntary commitment is now an integral part of the event strategy with noticeable impact. Since the first carbon footprint calculation in 2019, emissions have been significantly reduced, from 288 tonnes to 172.9 tonnes in 2025. Climate action has been systematically considered every year, from planning to implementation.

Systematically planned from the beginning

The collaboration with ClimatePartner began early on. All relevant emissions data was recorded, from energy and catering to the travel arrangements of the approximately 2,300 guests. With the help of digital tools, tailored advice, and proven models, a reliable carbon footprint was calculated, which served as the basis for reduction measures.

One key element is the active involvement of the guests. When registering, they indicate their mode of transport: train, car, plane, or bicycle. The calculated emissions are then converted into equivalents (e.g., 98 kg of carbon dioxide is approximately 105 machine washes at 60°C or 8 kg of beef). This makes it easier to understand one's footprint and the ball itself becomes an opportunity for more awareness.

Effective actions

Seeing the whole in the smallest things

The annual carbon footprint forms the basis for reduction measures that are reflected in planning, design, and processes.

Mobility and guest involvement

• Requesting information on the mode of transport used to register for individual calculations
• Emissions comparisons to raise awareness
• DB Event Ticket: Special fare in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn

Event design and equipment

• Catering with a focus on regional produce
• Printed materials on recycled Gmund paper, which is produced using renewable electricty with water reused eight times

Collaboration with environmentally aware service providers

For many years, the Bundespresseball has been working with the agency KALUZA + SCHMID, which implements extensive sustainability activities:

• Rented furniture that is durable, repairable, reusable
• Waste material donations
• In-house dried flowers for decoration
• Cut flowers processed as fertiliser
• LED candles

Taking responsibility through climate projects

The Bundespresseball supports climate projects from the ClimatePartner portfolio to take responsibility for its ongoing emissions. These projects not only contribute to reducing emissions, but also promoting social development, biodiversity, and renewable energy infrastrusture in various parts of the world.

In this way, the Bundespresseball combines local action with global impact and makes it clear that responsibility does not end at the door of its own event.

"An event such as the Bundespresseball, which promotes press freedom and democracy, must also demonstrate responsibility in its practical implementation. Democratic values such as transparency and justice do not end with content orientation – they are also reflected in how we treat our environment. Working with ClimatePartner helps us to implement this claim in a quantifiable, comprehensible, and effective way."

– Tim Szent-Iványi, Managing Director of Bundespresseball GmbH