In 2014, the ECR was awarded the Austrian Ecolabel (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen) for the first time, making it the largest officially certified green congress in Europe. This achievement followed the implementation of numerous measures designed to reduce the congress’ environmental impact, and it reflected a deepened commitment on the part of the ESR to making the congress sustainable. Every year we strive to expand our efforts by applying our green approach to all major activities related to the congress. Find some examples below.

Minimising the CO2 emissions is of central concern when running a green congress. Large congresses are by their nature power hungry events. Our venue, the Austria Center Vienna, prioritises green energy, which is essential to limiting a congress’ carbon footprint. Among other things, our venue, which also bears the Austrian Ecolabel, features a 120 square metre solar array, which supplies thermal energy used to heat water in its kitchens and toilets.

Encouraging and enabling the use of public transport by congress attendees is another means by which the ECR’s carbon footprint can be diminished. Vienna’s fully integrated public transport network makes getting to and from the congress simple no matter where attendees stay in the city.

Improving waste management is another important goal for any green congress. To reduce unnecessary waste, the ESR works with environmentally certified caterers who utilise reusable plates, drinking vessels and cutlery. Exhibitors are encouraged to reuse their stands and decoration and discouraged to distribute giveaways. Further, the amount of printed material used at the congress has been reduced by making more materials, such as the congress’ programme, easily accessible online. For printed materials environmentally friendly paper is used.

Our ECR Online platform attracted 7,020 online viewers in 2019, a development that is very much in the spirit of green meetings. This particular project will be extended further over the coming years.