We continue to work with international sustainability experts, the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement). To guide us on our journey, we formed a sustainability team consisting of ESCRS members, MCI Geneva, the GDS-Movement, the venue, as well as other key suppliers.

Together, we are collaborating to create a strategy and implement a bold operational action plan that we call “Mission Zero”.

To achieve these goals, we have defined the following design principles for the sustainable organisation of the event:

• Eliminate waste, emissions and pollution
• Recycle materials and products
• Switch to more sustainable materials
• Regenerate natural systems (people, place and planet)
• Design for inclusion and diversity
• Use our sustainability efforts to improve participants’ event experience

To make a sustainable event requires commitment and collective action from participants, exhibitors, sponsors, organisers and suppliers. Our approach is to engage, inspire and catalyse collective action to develop a zero-impact event.

We will calculate the carbon emissions and waste footprint of the Winter Meeting using industry best practice methodologies as well as an advanced measurement tool called TRACE. The emissions from local event production, delegate and team travel, accommodation, food & beverages, venue and online participation will all be measured.

The unavoidable emissions will be compensated through carbon offset projects with Climate Impact Partners. They are one of the global leaders in helping organisations to meet their ambitious climate goals. We will invest in 3 high-quality, certified projects that will provide impact in emissions reductions and social development for developing economies.

We support selected projects that:

• provide clean and safe cooking and water systems to isolated communities
• increase well-being and health by reducing smoke inhalation and air pollution
• provide renewable energy solutions that protect the local environment as well as offer affordable, clean and reliable energy access to communities

Finally, a sustainability report will be produced to identify the strategy, best practices and learnings from the Winter Meeting. In addition, recommendations to improve performance in the Vienna Congress 2023 and other ESCRS events will also be created.

“It takes a village to raise a child” – African Yoruba proverb

Sustainability only works if we are all involved and working together.

It’s on each of us to find ways to take action in our own sphere of control, whilst using our influence, as small as it may be, to encourage, or demand, that those with power do something about it.

We propose key actions below that you can take to create a more sustainable event experience with us. Why not take the ESCRS Mission Zero Pledge and join us on this journey?