Efteling Wins Brass Ring Award for Best Sustainability Program

The Efteling has won one of the most prestigious awards in the global theme park industry: Today the IAAPA announced that the Dutch park will receive the “Brass Ring Excellence Award” for Best Sustainability Program. The jury praised the deep integration of sustainability into the park’s entire concept and awarded the highest overall score. The official presentation will take place in May.

The jury, made up of experienced professionals from the worldwide attractions industry, was particularly impressed by how comprehensively and culturally rooted the Efteling’s sustainability program is. It is fully embedded in the park’s DNA, and high-quality, emotionally engaging communication highlighted strong ESG performance. This year marks only the second time the award for outstanding and innovative initiatives has been presented—other nominees included Disney and Mexico’s Gruppo Xcaret.

“We are incredibly proud of this international recognition,” said General Manager Fons Jurgens. “The Efteling is investing heavily in sustainability across multiple areas. It is our responsibility to pass the Efteling on to future generations in an even better state. That can only succeed if we remain relevant and take good care of our nature-rich surroundings. Becoming climate-neutral by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050 are key goals, but we also accept our social and governance responsibilities. This international award is a crowning achievement for our efforts and confirms that our ESG approach is on the right track.”

The sole shareholder, Stichting Natuurpark de Efteling, founded in 1950, still pursues the mission of improving and enriching the living environment. In recent years the park has made major sustainability investments to reduce its footprint and improve accessibility. More than 25,500 solar panels were installed along with a large-scale energy storage system. Last year the first steam train was converted to electric operation, and buildings in the Anderrijk area are now heated gas-free through an expanded WKO (heating-cooling system). The inclusive playground forest Nest! opened in 2021, and since this year nearly all park shows are subtitled in four languages via the Efteling app. Targeted water management and nature conservation measures promote biodiversity and strengthen the park’s uniquely lush natural setting.