In line with the ESCRS Mission Zero commitment, the Society has offset the estimated carbon emissions of the ESCRS Winter Meeting 2025 in Athens.
This was done by using a consistent methodology informed by the detailed carbon calculations developed for previous editions of the meeting with detailed calculations from the ESCRS Winter Meeting in Vilamoura as a baseline.
This approach reflects ESCRS’s ongoing strategy to take responsibility for its environmental impact while advancing sustainability in ophthalmology and event management. The 2025 estimates cover both attendee travel-related and local operational emissions, maintaining alignment with the scope established in 2023 and 2024.
To ensure meaningful climate action, ESCRS partnered once again with South Pole, sourcing Gold Standard-certified carbon credits from projects that deliver not only measurable emission reductions but also strong community and ecosystem benefits. Each initiative represents the values true to ESCRS – improving health, supporting livelihoods, and enabling access to clean, renewable energy across the globe.
In total, 1,151 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were offset through three verified projects in Burundi, India, and Vietnam.
Projects Supported in 2025
Cookstoves in Burundi
GOLD STANDARD-CERTIFIED
This project distributes fuel-efficient cookstoves across rural Burundi, reducing reliance on firewood and cutting deforestation.
By improving indoor air quality and reducing smoke-related health risks, it supports cleaner cooking, strengthens community resilience, and contributes to climate protection in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Solar Power Plant in Pavagada Solar Park, India
GOLD STANDARD-CERTIFIED
Located in Karnataka, this 250 MW solar project generates renewable electricity for India’s national grid, displacing power previously produced by fossil fuels.
By supplying clean energy to thousands of homes, the initiative supports India’s transition toward a low-carbon economy and promotes sustainable development in the region.
Za Hung Hydropower Project, Vietnam
GOLD STANDARD-CERTIFIED
The Za Hung run-of-river hydropower project produces renewable electricity while reducing dependence on coal-based energy.
Beyond emissions reduction, the project contributes to social development through local job creation, community training, and annual donations to disadvantaged residents, promoting long-term environmental and economic benefits in central Vietnam.
Why This Matters
We chose these projects not only for their carbon reduction potential but for their alignment with ESCRS’s values: health equity, environmental stewardship, and global responsibility.
Each carbon credit is traceable, audited, and certified to meet the highest international standards – the Gold Standard, which is a leading voluntary carbon credit certification programme that provides a trusted, and credible mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through high-quality carbon credits. Developed through collaboration between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), HELIO International, and SouthSouthNorth, this standard positions the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of its certification process for offset projects.
The standard specifically certifies projects that deliver measurable, lasting benefits across three critical dimensions: social improvement, economic development, and environmental protection. This rigorous approach ensures carbon offset initiatives contribute meaningfully to sustainable development while maintaining the highest levels of credibility in emissions reduction.
However, offsetting is just one part of our broader strategy. Before offsetting, we take action to reduce waste, champion sustainable materials, and accelerate the shift to low-emission travel, driving progress toward zero waste, zero emissions, and a more responsible future for all.