Thank you for being a part of ESCRS 2024.
We’re pleased to share the Sustainability Report for the 42nd ESCRS Congress, held in September 2024 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.
This report highlights the key impacts, progress, and learnings from this year’s event, aligned with the long-term goals of the Mission Zero campaign. Together with our partners, suppliers, exhibitors, and attendees, we continue working towards Net Zero carbon emissions, zero waste to landfill, and inclusive, responsible practices across all aspects of the Congress.
Key highlights from the 2024 Congress:
- Total carbon footprint: 28,850 tCO₂e — 100% of emissions offset.
- 66% of food served was vegetarian or vegan; 80% was locally sourced (within 160 km).
- 71,000 single-use plastic bottles avoided via 30+ water refill stations.
- 54% of waste was recycled or re-used.
- 64% of signage and branding made from sustainable materials.
- 34% of speakers were women.
- Free on-site childcare offered through a family-friendly childcare service.
- 83% of attendees rated ESCRS’s sustainability efforts as ‘Impressive’ or ‘Good’.
We thank all contributors for helping to deliver a more sustainable Congress and invite you to explore the full report to see how we’re turning ambition into action.
ESCRS Sustainability Commitment & Vision
At ESCRS, we’re committed to ensuring sustainability is at the forefront of our efforts in the field of ophthalmology. Enhancing the sustainability of our annual Congress isn’t just about meeting obligations; it is about exemplifying ethical practice and responsible innovation.
Building on the success of the last two years, we’re growing our focus on sustainability, placing a renewed emphasis on social responsibility and inclusivity throughout all our initiatives.
Collaborating closely with partners like Fira Barcelona and select suppliers, we’re working towards ambitious goals: zero waste to landfill, zero net carbon emissions, and setting a standard for social responsibility. Our dedication extends beyond the event itself to prioritise supporting crucial causes and championing ecosystem restoration, all while nurturing sustainability leadership within our field.
While our aspirations are bold, we recognise the importance of collective action. By collaborating with organisations, institutions, and experts, and seeking input from our fellow ophthalmologists and the entire industry, we are driving meaningful change together.
Filomena Ribeiro
President, ESCRS
Our Key Goals
Through collaboration with the GDS-Movement and the invaluable input of key stakeholders and partners, we have created a multi-year sustainability strategy to guide the ESCRS Congress 2024.
Our proactive Mission Zero initiative includes four sustainability objectives that lead our planning, implementation, and evaluation efforts:
- Inspire Action
- Zero Waste
- Zero Emissions
- Social Responsibility
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Our following KPIs help us stay on track and guide our sustainability efforts:
Inspire Action
- Strengthen the promotions of the eyesustain.org initiative through partnerships with ASCRS and APACRS
- Recruit at least 2 new organisations into the Sustainability Partnership Programme
- Provide inclusive training opportunities for all members at the Congress
- Ensuring balanced representation of different continents in the overall programme
- Increase awareness of health inequity among underserved communities through targeted educational campaigns
Zero Waste
- Eliminate 90% of single use plastic, polystyrene and PVC
- Decrease waste sent to landfill to less than 10%
- Increase recycling to +60%
- +80% of all signage and branding to be made from more sustainable materials
Zero Emissions
- +20% of delegates to arrive by climate-friendly transport
- +50% of food served is vegetarian or vegan
- 70% of food locally sourced (less than 160km)
- 100% of unavoidable carbon emissions to be offset
Social Responsibility
- Increase balance of female speakers to 40%
- Integrate at least 1 community/charity partnerships
- Implement family-friendly provisions and activities for attendees with young children
Our Strategy
Our Principles
To achieve our goals, we have defined the following principles for the sustainable organisation of the Congress: