"May the Mainau Green Charter serve, promote and help and, above all, trigger action. This is what our time needs most urgently". A concern formulated by Count Lennart Bernadotte and other experts in the Mainau Green Charter back in 1961, which remains urgent - then as now.
Following on from this first sustainability document, we at Mainau have made numerous efforts in recent decades to make our actions more sustainable step by step. For us, working in and with nature also means working to protect it and finding ways to preserve it for future generations. Striving for a balance between economic, ecological and social aspects is anchored in our motto "Sustainability for the region and the environment" and applies to all areas of the company. We have been reporting on our sustainability performance in a sustainability report since 2015. Since 2025, these efforts have been set out in writing in our Sustainability Code, which underlines our actions in all dimensions of sustainability.
Together we can achieve a sustainable world, and we want to contribute to this through our actions.
Milestones
Green Charter, Lake Constance Manifesto, EMAS certification and FSC® certification (license number: C018214) - here you will find a summary of Mainau GmbH's commitment to sustainability in milestones.
2025
- Auszeichnung für den Weißen Maulbeerbaum (Morus alba) mit dem ProSpecieRara-Gütesiegel für die Erhaltung und Förderung der Vielfalt der Kulturpflanzensorten
- Neuer Nachhaltigkeitskodex
2024
- Der Obstanbau der Mainau ist seit 30 Jahren Bioland zertifiziert
- Bio-Zertifizierung der Mainau-Gastronomie von Ecocert Deutschland für einen Bio-Anteil von 20-49 %
- Auszeichnung der Schwedenschenke von "Schmeck den Süden" für die regionale Ausrichtung der Speisekarte
- Projekt Biodiv Bodanrück gewinnt "Unsere Heimat & Natur"-Wettbewerb von der EDEKA Südwest Stiftung & Co. KG
2023
- Erreichung GOLD Status ADFC als fahrradfreundlicher Arbeitgeber
- Inbetriebnahme der E-Bike Solarladestationen der Fend Solar GmbH
2022
- Erfolgreiche EMAS-Rezertifizierung für weitere drei Jahre
- Elektroschiff MS Insel Mainau der Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe fährt im Kursbetrieb die Insel Mainau an
2020
- Neue Holzhackschnitzelheizung mit 1300 kW wird in Betrieb genommen, übernimmt fortan während der Heizperiode die Grundlast im Energiebedarf der Mainau GmbH
- Erfolgreiche Rezertifizierung als Fahrradfreundliches Unternehmen durch den Allgemeinem Deutschen Fahrrad Club (ADFC)
2025
- Award for the white mulberry tree (Morus alba) with the ProSpecieRara seal of approval for the preservation and promotion of the diversity of cultivated plant varieties
- New sustainability code
2024
- Mainau's fruit cultivation has been Bioland certified for 30 years
- Organic certification of the Mainau gastronomy by Ecocert Germany for an organic share of 20-49 %
- Award for the Schwedenschenke from "Schmeck den Süden" for the regional focus of the menu
2023
- Achievement of GOLD status ADFC as a bicycle-friendly employer
- Commissioning of the e-bike solar charging stations from Fend Solar GmbH
2022
- Successful EMAS recertification for a further three years
- Electric ship MS Insel Mainau operated by Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe sails to the island of Mainau
2020
- New wood chip heating system with 1300 kW is put into operation and takes over the base load of Mainau GmbH's energy requirements during the heating period from now on
- Successful recertification as a bicycle-friendly company by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad Club (ADFC)
2019
- Successful EMAS recertification for a further three years
- First version of the Mainau Energy and Climate Protection Strategy (MEKS)
2017
- Award as a bicycle-friendly company by the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC)
2016
- Certification and award as a "Sustainable Destination" by Minister Alexander Bonde, Baden Württemberg, following an extensive sustainability check by TourCert Stuttgart.
- Honored by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Building and Nuclear Safety, Dr. Barbara Hendricks, for innovative environmental protection measures and transparent reporting
2015
- First sustainability report with audited environmental statement 2015 of Mainau GmbH
- First Mainau Sustainability Dialogue. Perspectives for people and the environment - Sustainable climate protection in municipalities. Organizer: Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy Baden-Württemberg, Mainau GmbH
2014
- Successful recertification of the Mainauwald forest according to FSC®
- Opening of the sustainability trail on Mainau Island
2013
- Entry into force of our own energy management system
- Redesign of the harbour area and new construction of the Comturey restaurant (formerly Comturey-Keller) with its own environmental program and a total of 13 environmental measures
2012
- Nomination for the Baden-Württemberg Environmental Award.
- Award in the B.A.U.M. competition "The most bicycle-friendly employers" as the most bicycle-friendly company in Baden-Württemberg.
2011
- Introduction and development of our own energy management system in accordance with ISO 16001
- Commissioning of a wood gasifier CHP unit with an output of 150 kWel and 300 kWth
- Installation of a new photovoltaic system with 15.12 kWpeak
2010
- Bettina Countess Bernadotte receives the "Ökologia" prize from the Foundation for Ecology and Democracy, Bonn
- Award in the B.A.U.M. competition "The most bicycle-friendly employers"
2008
- Bettina Countess Bernadotte is appointed "Ökologia" - Ambassador of Ecology 2008 by the Foundation for Ecology and Democracy
2007
- Sonja Gräfin Bernadotte receives the B.A.U.M. Environmental Award 2007 (Federal German Working Group for Environmentally Conscious Management e.V.) for her environmental achievements as Managing Director of Mainau GmbH, among other things
2006
- Awarded the German and European EMAS Award 2006 for the best measure in Europe in the field of "best internal and external communication" (EMAS with all senses - experience sustainability)
- Successful continuation of Bioland certification in agriculture
2004
- Mainau gastronomy awarded the European BIO certificate
- Introduction of the combined ticket
- Construction of several photovoltaic systems at the Schwedenhof and at the nursery for all on the island of Mainau.
2003
- FSC® certification of the 420 hectares of Mainau forest on the mainland
2002
- Sonja Countess Bernadotte named Eco Manager of the Year by business magazine "Capital" and the WWF environmental foundation
2001
- Start of the annual event "Modern Energies", later "Energy Systems in Transition"
- Construction of a company natural gas filling station and purchase of additional natural gas-powered company vehicles
- Approx. 4 ha of fruit-growing land awarded as a recognized organic farm
- Renewed participation of the Schwedenschenke restaurant in the DEHOGA competition and award as an environmentally friendly business; connection of the Mainaugastronomie to the Q seal campaign of the state of Baden-Württemberg and the DEHOGA to establish a quality management system that integrates environmental goals
- Creation of the Environmental Management and Quality staff unit, which replaces the Ecology & Nature Education department
2000
- New ecological educational wine trail "Weinberg am Schwedenturm": designed in collaboration with the Institute of Viticulture, Freiburg, as an experimental and show garden
- B.A.U.M. - Environmental Award 2000 for achievements in environmental management in tourism
- New construction of an exemplary energy information pavilion with an exhibition on the subject of "Energy fo
1999
- Presentation of the environmental protection award "The Golden Flower of Rheydt" to Sonja Countess Bernadotte
1998
- First-time certification of Mainau according to EMAS, as the first German tourism company and the only botanical garden in Europe
- First participation of the Schwedenschenke restaurant in the competition of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association and the Landesfremdenverkehrsverband e.V.: Award of the first environmental badge
- Start of the "Mainau Mobility Talks" event on the topic of mobility and sustainability. Joint event organized by Mainau GmbH in cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment and Transport and the Lennart Bernadotte Foundation
1997
- Introduction and development of an "environmental management system" in accordance with the guidelines of EC Regulation 1836/93 with the support of the IHK Hochrhein-Bodensee and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment
- Conversion of Mainau GmbH's energy supply from heating oil to natural gas with wood chip heating and two combined heat and power plants in a local heating network. Funding for the model overall project from the German Federal Environmental Foundation and the state of Baden-Württemberg
- Ecological aspects are anchored in the guiding principles
1995
- Recognition of Mainau fruit growing as an organic farm
1994
- Installation of a waste concept with the aim of reducing and separating waste in the park
1993
- Obligation of park maintenance to greatly reduce the use of peat and, where possible, to switch to substitute products
- Recognition of the fruit-growing operation as an organic farm on 3.5 ha
1992
- Establishment of a separate environmental department "Ecology and nature education"
1991
- Creation of a comprehensive program of nature education projects at the "Green School Mainau" for children, young people and adults
1990
- Nature experience trail
1989
- Pro Integration: Project to support young people with learning difficulties through training in horticulture
1987
- Implementation of the first international "Mainau Youth Games" as an exemplary project for nature and environmental education in the international Lake Constance region
1986
- Promotion of the maintenance of nature conservation areas in the Mainaue
1982
- Establishment of the "Green Telephone" as an ecological advisory service
1971
- Adoption of the "Lake Constance Manifesto" by politicians and experts from the countries bordering Lake Constance on the basis of the "Green Charter of Mainau".
1967
- First presentation of the environmental protection award "The Golden Flower of Rheydt" (oldest German environmental protection award, presented by the city of Mönchengladbach) to Count Lennart Bernadotte, then President of the German Horticultural Society and spokesman for the German Council for Landscape Conservation.
1961
- April 20, 1961: Resolution of the "Green Charter of Mainau" by Count Lennart Bernadotte on the occasion of the 5th Mainau Round Table.
©
Insel Mainau / Torben Nuding
Mainau Island is operated by a limited liability company, Mainau GmbH. Lennart Count Bernadotte and his wife Sonja Countess Bernadotte brought the island and all the properties into this company in 1974.
©
Lolame / Pixabay.com
The "Green Charter of Mainau" was signed on April 20, 1961. It is one of the first central documents in German environmental history.
©
Insel Mainau/Peter Allgaier
We think long-term, ecologically, economically and socially: we make sustainability tangible for young and old.