Your Role

What’s your role in the ESCRS sustainability efforts?

“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?

1. Exhibit Sustainably

We’re encouraging our partners and exhibitors to champion social and environmental responsibility at ESCRS events. From ordering sustainable cater ware to offsetting your event-related emissions, your commitment helps us to create a Winter Meeting that supports both people and the planet.

2. Travel more Sustainably

Let the train take the strain and don’t take a plane.

If you are flying to Lisbon, make sure to check the train line that connects Lisbon and Loule, from Loule, it’s a short ride to reach Vilamoura.

In Vilamoura, walk or cycle to reduce reliance on taxis. For optimum health, the UK Department of Health recommends ‘brisk walking’ for at least 10 minutes a day or, ideally, 10 000 well-paced steps (around 8km per day). Not only it is good for you, soft mobility also provides better value as it is free, less stressful and will allow you to feel better during your time at the Winter Meeting.

3. Choose a Sustainable Hotel

When choosing accommodation, add sustainability criteria to your search. Try and book a hotel that has a sustainable certification. Booking.com has a sustainability option in their search engine.

4. Eat more Sustainably and Healthily

We are working with caterers to offer you healthier and climate-friendlier food and drink options for official and private events. We aim to eliminate red meat and serve at least 50% delicious vegetarian and vegan options.

5. BYO (Bring Your Own)

We are working to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles and focus on water stations at the event. Almost all of us now have a reusable coffee cup or bottle, and the use of non-disposable cutlery kits is growing. BYO is a great way to reduce your waste, not only at ESCRS events, but also in your daily life.

6. Recycle

We are working with Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Resort to implement an advanced recycling system for this event. However, this will only work with your support. Do your part and recycle appropriately by putting waste into the right container.

Throwing food or general waste in a recycling bin can contaminate its contents, which means it heads to landfill or incinerator, not to a recycling facility where it belongs!

7. Share your Success!

What we see, we can try ourselves. So, sharing your personal event sustainability efforts and successes can encourage others to do the same – and this applies to you and to your corporate partners!

Use the ESCRS social media channels to share: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

ESCRS 2022 Sustainability Measurement Report

In 2022 ESCRS made a commitment and plan to integrate social and environmental sustainability into their community, meetings, events and activities.

With the help of the GDS-Movement and the contribution of key members and partners a two-year sustainability strategy was developed. Download the 2022 report below to view our progress.