At CHI, we are committed to creating an event that is not only educational and informative but also sustainable. We understand the importance of protecting our planet and strive to minimize our environmental impact. On this page, you will find information about the sustainability measures supporting the conference, as well as tips for attendees on how to be sustainable during the event. We appreciate your support in helping us create a more sustainable CHI conference and encourage you to take an active role in reducing our environmental impact.
Barcelona’s Responsible Tourism Guidelines
As we gather in Barcelona for CHI 2026, we join a city actively addressing the impacts of global tourism. The Responsible Tourism Guidelines offer simple, practical ways for visitors to move through the city with care—supporting local communities and shared spaces. They encourage travelers to:
- Plan thoughtfully. Use official information sources and visitor centers to make informed choices about where and how to visit.
- Engage with local culture. Learn about Barcelona’s history, customs, and traditions, and connect respectfully with local communities.
- Protect cultural heritage. Follow site-specific guidelines at monuments and attractions to minimize wear and damage.
- Move sustainably. Prioritize walking, cycling, and public transport over private vehicles to reduce congestion and emissions.
- Respect neighborhood life. Keep noise low, use shared public spaces respectfully, and be mindful that the city is our residents’ home.
- Choose responsible service providers. Support tourism businesses that demonstrate sustainable, community-oriented practices. Look for signage while out and about.
Together, these guidelines frame tourism as a shared civic responsibility, highlighting how everyday visitor behavior shapes Barcelona’s livability and sustainability.
Working With Our Venue in Barcelona
As CHI 2026 approaches, we want to highlight how the conference’s sustainability commitments are supported—both operationally and structurally—by our venue, the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB). Sustainability at CHI is not only about individual choices, but also about working with venues whose long-term infrastructure aligns with SIGCHI’s values around environmental responsibility.
The CCIB has an extensive and well-established sustainability program covering energy use, waste management, materials, food and beverage, and transportation. These practices are integrated into the venue’s day-to-day operations and support large international conferences like CHI in reducing their environmental footprint at scale.
Energy Use and Indoor Climate
One visible way sustainability shapes the CHI experience in Barcelona is through energy-efficient climate control. In compliance with Spanish regulations, the CCIB operates with heating setpoints of approximately 19–21°C (66–70°F) and cooling setpoints of approximately 25–27°C (77–81°F), depending on conditions. This approach significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining safe and functional indoor spaces.
Barcelona’s spring weather is generally mild, but attendees may notice that some conference spaces feel cooler or warmer than expected. These temperature ranges are a deliberate sustainability choice, and we encourage attendees to plan accordingly—bringing layers rather than requesting on-site temperature adjustments. Sharing these expectations in advance helps reduce unnecessary energy use and supports the venue’s broader sustainability goals.
The CCIB is powered entirely by renewable energy sources and supplemented by on-site generation, including solar panels and a wind turbine. Many spaces also rely heavily on natural light, further reducing electricity demand during the conference.
Waste, Recycling, and Materials
The CCIB manages all on-site recycling, compost, and landfill waste streams as part of the conference rental, with clearly marked collection points throughout meeting rooms and common areas. Waste is separated into paper, plastic, glass, metal, organic, and residual waste and processed by authorized recycling partners.
This infrastructure enables CHI to focus on reducing waste at the source. Signage at CHI 2026 will be produced using sustainable materials selected in coordination with the venue, including cardboard, eco-fabric, eco-mesh, and PVC-free vinyl alternatives where signage is required. Digital signage and screens will be used where possible to reduce paper use.
Food and Beverage Practices
Food and beverage services at CHI 2026 will continue SIGCHI’s emphasis on sustainable sourcing and waste reduction. The CCIB prioritizes local suppliers, offers vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options, and uses biodegradable or reusable tableware depending on the service format. Soft drinks are served in glass bottles rather than plastic, and coffee capsules and cutlery are biodegradable.
Where surplus packaged food remains, the venue supports food donation pathways to reduce waste. These practices are managed directly with the CCIB’s food and beverage team as part of standard conference operations. We will also work with the catering team to include origin, allergen, disposal, and other sustainability-related information for dietary options.
Badges, Lanyards, and End-of-Conference Collection
Badges and lanyards pose a recurring sustainability challenge for CHI conferences of this size and duration. For CHI 2026, organic badge stock and durable lanyard materials are being explored to balance longevity with recyclability. The venue provides recycling streams that allow badges to be recycled alongside standard recyclables. We also plan to collect used lanyards at the end of the conference for appropriate handling.
Transportation and Getting Around Barcelona
The CCIB is well connected to Barcelona’s public transportation network, including the metro, trams, and buses. The venue also supports electric vehicles, bicycles, and scooters, with on-site charging and parking infrastructure. We encourage attendees to use public transit and shared mobility options when traveling to and from the conference. Please see the local chairs’ information post for more details.
Carbon Offsetting and Shared Responsibility
CHI continues to offer attendees the option to contribute to carbon offset programs during registration. And the CCIB independently calculates and offsets the carbon footprint of its own operations and provides detailed reporting on emissions sources. Therefore, if you are considering taking advantage of the ACM Carbon Offset program via your conference registration, note that the recommended amount typically covers travel costs and the venue complements your contribution.
Learning More
Attendees interested in the venue’s full sustainability program—including certifications, energy systems, waste management, and transportation infrastructure—can explore the CCIB’s sustainability pages and reports:
By working with venues like the CCIB and setting shared expectations with our community, CHI 2026 aims to make sustainability a visible, practical, and collective part of the conference experience.