Be a Good Guest: Build a Better 4YFN Together


As an exhibitor, your actions help reduce the environmental footprint and create lasting value for the entire ecosystem. By becoming a Good Guest, you commit to thoughtful, responsible choices that support the event, the city, and the planet.

Support MWC & 4YFN sustainability goals — lead by example.


Bring It to Life:

Before 4YFN

Plan Your Stand Responsibly: From Smart Design to Lasting Value

Creating a sustainable presence at 4YFN starts long before your stand is built — and continues long after the event ends. Every choice you make, from materials to disposal, can shape a more responsible and rewarding experience for all.

Start Smart: Design with Intention

Sustainability begins in the drawing board. As you plan your stand, think beyond aesthetics and function — consider the footprint you leave behind.

  • Design responsibly by choosing reusable, recyclable, or upcycled materials
  • Cut the clutter by avoiding single-use plastics and limiting unnecessary giveaways
  • Source smart by partnering with local suppliers and prioritising eco-certified products

By designing with care, you're already laying the foundation for a booth that can give back — because what you bring in thoughtfully today can serve a greater purpose tomorrow.

Use the Sustainable Project Manager Checklist to guide your decisions and ensure every element of your stand is aligned with greener goals.


Travel Smart & Lead in Transportation Responsibility
Make sustainability part of your journey. Choose sustainable travel options to reduce carbon emissions and support 4YFN's environmental goals.
  • Use the MWC Free Public Transport Pass to move around the city with ease
  • Encourage your team to carpool, travel by train, or book non-stop flights to minimise carbon output
  • Opt for airlines with offset programmes to balance your travel footprint
  • Favour shared and public transport throughout the event
Every sustainable choice counts — starting with how you travel and the transport you chose to get there.

Know Your Impact: Measure Today. Improve Tomorrow.

Every decision you've made so far has shaped your environmental footprint.

Calculate it.

Reduce it.

Offset what's unavoidable.

Choose certified projects that matter to you.

Measure. Reduce. Restore.

BUILD-UP & DISMANTLING

Donation Room: Give Back. Repurpose with Purpose.

Every stage of your stand's lifecycle matters—from build-up to dismantling. The choices you make can reduce waste, extend the life of valuable resources and create a lasting positive impact.

The Donation Room gives your surplus materials, furniture and equipment a second life by redirecting them to local social and cultural organisations across Barcelona and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.
  • Donate surplus construction materials, furniture, unused equipment and décor. 
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  • Support local communities while reducing waste and promoting the circular economy. 
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  • Create lasting environmental and social impact by keeping valuable resources in use for longer. 
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    From thoughtful planning to responsible donation, every item you repurpose helps build a more sustainable 4YFN and leaves a positive legacy beyond the event.

    Let's turn surplus into social impact. Click here to learn more and take part.


    Close the Loop: Manage Waste Wisely

    Even with the best planning, some waste is inevitable — but how we handle it matters.
    • Sort and clear waste daily during dismantling to keep your area clean and organised. Please click here for full waste management guidelines
    • Separate materials correctly using the dedicated bins for recyclables, general waste, and food waste. Please click here for more info
    By managing waste responsibly, you complete the sustainability cycle: from thoughtful planning and generous giving to responsible disposal.

    Every action counts — let’s avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle together.

    Together We Can Make the Difference


    Every sustainable decision—no matter how small—contributes to a bigger impact.

    Last year, together we:
    • Recovered 113 items; 4,010 units
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    • Donated 9 tonnes of materials 
    • Supported 25 local social organisations from Barcelona and l’Hospitalet
    • Avoided 8,837 kg of CO₂ emissions 
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      Imagine the impact we can achieve if every exhibitor takes one more sustainable action this year.

      During 4YFN

      Light Up Green, Flow with Care

      100% of the event’s power comes from green energy sources.

      Energy matters — for your booth, your brand and the planet. Make conscious choices to reduce your energy footprint:

      • Use LED lighting for low-energy, high-visibility performance
      • Power down screens and equipment when not in use
      • Collaborate with suppliers to source energy-efficient technologies and solutions
      Water Efficiency Matters Too - We’ve implemented water-saving features across the venue, including faucet timers and chemical urinals, significantly reducing overall water consumption.
      • Avoid using decorative water features such as fountains or misting systems at your booth
      • Use digital displays instead of water-intensive physical installations in your design
      • Provide reusable water bottles to staff and visitors, promoting refill behaviour
      Small changes lead to big savings - for both the environment and your operations.


      Tell Your Sustainability Story

      Engage your visitors with your sustainability story — show how your brand truly walks the talk.



      Why It all Matters

      Being a Good Guest is about showing respect:

      • To our host city, Barcelona
      • To the event we’re shaping together, 4YFN
      • And to the one home we all share, our planet

      AFTER 4YFN

      Share Your Impact

      Your sustainability journey doesn't end when 4YFN closes.

      Celebrate and communicate the positive impact of your participation:
      • Materials donated
      • CO₂ reduced
      • Energy saved
      • Carbon offset
      • CSR report
      Inspire others by sharing the difference your organisation made.


      General Sustainable Practices 

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      MWC26 Barcelona will be a Carbon Neutral event by offsetting 100% of its emissions with reduction and absorption projects and compliance with internationally recognized standards (VCS-VERRA, Gold Standard, ACR, among others). The neutrality will be verified by the ISO 14068-1 neutrality standard, respecting the principle of the hierarchy of emission reduction, emission abatement and offsetting (in previous years, the event's neutrality has been verified by the international standard PAS 2060). For further information visit our MWC Environmental Programme.


      Barcelona is proud to be a Biosphere World Class Destination - Since 2011 the city holds the Biosphere responsible tourism certificate in line with the international criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

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      We love hearing your ideas!

      Send us your comments here: sustainability@gsma.com.