Our Sustainability Journey

Salzburg Global, primarily operating from its historic home, Schloss Leopoldskron, is an institution that reaches and informs a truly global constituency, ranging from students to policymakers to innovators at the cutting edge of modern challenges.

As an institution at the forefront of global environmental discourse, we work to minimize the harmful impacts of our operations.

We seek to integrate our values into the very core of our organization to “be the change you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi).

Through our programs and all our operations, we are committed to fostering creative, just, and sustainable change.

We continually review our approach and encourage our staff to build earth-conscious practices at every level, without hindering the excellent service we offer in our programs and to our hotel guests.

Since 2014, Schloss Leopoldskron has been part of Austria’s Climate Alliance, committing to practical, planet-friendly measures. From eco-certified amenities and LED lighting to electric vehicles and fair-trade sourcing, sustainability is woven into our daily operations.

A comprehensive master plan is now in motion to restore historic rooms while also preparing the Schloss and Meierhof for a climate-neutral future, proving that even a centuries-old Schloss can lead the way in environmental responsibility.

So how does a business that owns a facility built in 1736 and flies people from around the world to Austria for its programs and events reduce its impact on the Earth?

Salzburg

In Salzburg, to shrink our carbon footprint, we have adopted several practices to improve fuel efficiency and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. These include the following actions:
 

• Implementing an energy-efficient heating system to reduce energy waste within the Meierhof;
• Purchasing and using two electric company cars;
• Supporting our guests in using green transportation options — for example, by offering free bike rentals to hotel guests, as well as a charging station for electric vehicles on the Schloss grounds; and
• Using LED lightbulbs throughout the Schloss and the Meierhof.

The Meierhof has been disconnected from fossil fuel heating (oil and gas) and connected to the city’s district heating network. The in-house heating system’s main components have been replaced with a new, more efficient system to heat — and, in the future, cool — the Meierhof guest rooms and meeting spaces.

Supported by a photovoltaic system on the Meierhof roof with a capacity of up to 40 kW, the new heating system is a significant milestone in our efforts to make Schloss Leopoldskron carbon-neutral by 2030.

We are also mindful of our resource consumption and act in accordance with our ethical commitment to reduce waste. Accordingly, we have implemented the following actions:
 

• Introducing recycling services for glass, cardboard, and metal waste;
• Installing water fountains and providing multi-use water bottles for staff;
• Purchasing most of our groceries and other products from local producers and suppliers, whenever possible, of organic quality;
• Using refillable, multi-use glass water bottles in accordance with the Austrian Flaschenpfand system for hotel guests and program participants — under this program, bottles are refilled after each use, drastically reducing waste from single-use containers;
• Encouraging our guests to reuse hotel towels when possible during their stay; and
• Targeting the reduction of plastic packaging.

With Salzburg Global located in view of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world, we are constantly reminded of our responsibility to preserve and protect our local environment.

Our grounds team is dedicated to conservation efforts throughout the Schloss property.

Schloss Leopoldskron has two main gardens, the Mansbach Garden and the Mundheim Family Garden. Both have been carefully developed with sustainability in mind.

Flowers and shrubs are predominantly local and seasonally diverse, meaning something is in bloom at almost any given time between spring and fall.

All spaces are thoughtfully maintained, with manicured shrubs, diverse flower beds, and wild grass patches providing ideal conditions for bees and other insects.

The Schloss Park, in contrast, is less curated and offers a perfect habitat for a variety of animals — from frogs, ducks, and geese to rabbits and foxes. It also houses a beehive, where the honey produced is delivered to a local co-op.

Washington, D.C.

In our Washington, D.C. office, steps are likewise being taken to ensure our commitment to sustainability extends beyond Schloss Leopoldskron. Actions taken by our overseas staff include:
 

• Selecting an energy-efficient office building that incorporates motion-sensor lighting and reduces heating and air conditioning outside of business hours;
• Using a chilled water dispenser that draws water directly from the main plumbing system, replacing single-use water bottles or delivered water dispensers; and
• Providing recycling services throughout the office space.

The current understanding of “sustainability” is evolving every day as our collective knowledge of environmental and human systems deepens.

As such, the path toward sustainability benefits from critical insight into current practices, as well as continual innovation and action.

We are currently working to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into all our programs.

This effort encourages all Salzburg Global guests and staff to engage in internal and external dialogue that will inform our future path toward sustainability.