Sustainable development and ethical considerations will be at the heart of the congress, guiding its design and organisation.
The congress organisers, guided by their ISO20121-certified PCO (Professional Congress Organiser) (voluntary international standard for sustainable event management) and the sustainable development policy of Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, will do their utmost to control and mitigate the negative impacts of the congress and generate positive impacts for the region. Participants and partners will be encouraged to adopt eco-gestures.
To meet this commitment, actions will include the following initiatives, which are not exhaustive, in the planning and implementation of the congress:
- Travelling by train or carpooling with other participants is encouraged wherever possible. Participants are invited to measure the carbon footprint of their travel and to offset their journeys. See our section below on TRAVELLING SMART
- Selection of a congress venue and hotels located in the city centre, allowing a pedestrian congress and encouraging soft mobility.
- Responsible communications: eco-designed website, digital-only programme, use of digital tools (mobile application), digital signage, etc.
- Responsible purchasing, with priority given to local partners and suppliers committed to sustainable development.
- Waste management, implementation of the 5R rule (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Return to the Earth). Systematic recovery of badges for re-use.
- Fight against food waste, estimating the quantity of food without excess and anticipating the donation of any surplus to a local charity.
- Fight against plastic and single-use items. Promoting the use of individual water bottles.
- Promote accessibility before and during the event for people with disabilities. Consideration of needs when registering.
- Inclusion and diversity during the congress: reduced rates are offered to students.
- Participant well-being: a charter of good conduct is distributed to all participants to ensure a respectful, inclusive and harassment-free experience.
- Encouraging healthy, sustainable food (fresh, local, seasonal):
The organising committee is opting for 100% vegetarian catering. There are several reasons for this initiative:
Environmental benefits:
- Significant reduction in the carbon footprint of the event's food consumption
- Reduced consumption and pollution of water resources, helping to preserve this vital element.
Health benefits:
- Improved nutritional quality of meals, promoting a healthy, balanced diet
- Promotion of long-term healthy eating habits
Inclusiveness and ethics:
- Offer a more inclusive catering service, able to cater for a wide range of diets
- Offering more ethical food that respects animal welfare
