Belfast is a city dedicated to a net zero carbon future and has been ranked 11th out of 100 destinations in the 2023 Global Destination Sustainability Movement Index.

There are a multitude of eco-friendly things to discover during your stay in the city. Visit Belfast has put together a guide on sustainability-accredited visitor attractions and art venues, as well as green spaces like parks and various outdoor tours. Here you can also find restaurants offering plant-based options and locally sourced ingredients, shops offering ethical and vintage products, as well as designs and gifts by local artists.

Sustainable Belfast Guide

Our Campus Food and Drink team is committed to providing a high-quality service with a low impact on the environment.

There are measures in place to reduce plastic and disposable cups and cutlery, local suppliers and seasonal produce are used as much as possible, and we offer Fairtrade-certified products such as tea and coffee. We also offer an extensive range of vegetarian and vegan options and can cater to specific dietary requirements.

Find out more about our Campus Food and Drink team’s sustainability work here

The team has also partnered with Visit Belfast on the campaign “Changing the Menu. For Good”. We encourage all conference organisers to get involved with this project by fundraising for local food banks and reducing food waste from events to help those experiencing food poverty.

Getting involved: Changing the Menu. For Good

Belfast is a compact city and can easily be explored by foot, bike or via zero or low-emission public transport.

Both our main campus and Riddel Hall are easily accessible from the city centre via bus, train and bike. See further details on how to get to our locations:

Travel to Lanyon Building & Main Campus

Travel to Riddel Hall

Find out more about exploring Belfast sustainably here

Queen’s University is in the perfect location to be able to enjoy Belfast’s many green spaces.

Next to the campus is Botanic Gardens where your delegates can savour the fresh air, visit the historic Palm House or learn about the plant conservation work in the Tropical Ravine.

Find more information and opening hours here

For some active sightseeing, Belfast Bikes are available for hire at over 40 docking stations around the city. The closest pick-up points are on University Road, opposite the Lanyon Building and in front of the McClay Library, at the back of the main campus.

Belfast Bikes information

Our goods are eco-friendly and in line with the sustainability goals of the University.

The Queen's Welcome Centre is a Northern Ireland Tourist Board Local Information Office and serves as an information point for visitors and tourists, as well as offering a varied selection of souvenirs and gifts. All products are ethically sourced, are chosen to reduce the amount of single-use products in circulation and are supplied in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The Centre works alongside the University’s supplier of merchandise to ensure that the best costs are obtained and that all branding is correct in line with Queen’s branding guidelines. Turnaround time for all orders is three to four weeks from approval of final artwork.

For all branded merchandise or marketing needs for your event or conference, please contact the Queen’s Welcome Centre on the email address below.

Email Queen’s Welcome Centre

There are many sustainability-conscious options for places to stay in and around the city.

Find your preferred choice in the Belfast Accommodation Guide, which highlights the hotels and accommodation providers that are certified by Green Tourism. You can also search for and filter hotels with sustainability accreditations via Visit Belfast’s website and search tool below.

Belfast Accommodation Guide

Hotel Search Tool

Offering hybrid delegate participation can be one way to make your event more sustainable.

If you wish to explore the options for delegates to attend your event virtually, please contact us for more information by calling 028 9097 5340 or by contacting us via the email address below.

Email the Events Team

Queen’s University has an action plan in place for the management of energy and carbon and how we will achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

We are also committed to sustainable waste management and recycling, enhancing biodiversity on and around campus, as well as sustainable construction and building development.

Discover more about what we are doing here