OUR SUSTAINABILTY GOALS
For this edition of LPS, we will calculate the event’s carbon footprint and define a Carbon Dioxide Reduction Plan to drive our actions towards sustainability. Our goal is to:
- minimise the impact on the environment and local community
- create good practices that can be used by everyone as a baseline for future events
Below, you can find the specific steps we are taking to reach our goals, along with simple ways you can contribute, both for the event and beyond.
How you can support us:
Share your details: Complete all sections of the Registration Form to help us accurately assess the event’s carbon footprint.
Give feedback: Fill out the Post-Event Evaluation Survey to support our ongoing improvement efforts.
Bring your own water bottle: It’s a small act with a big impact. Keep reading to learn why this matters.
Together, we can make a measurable difference. Let’s make this LPS edition the most sustainable yet.
1. TRANSPORT
What we are doing
Most of those in ESA’s Organising Committee will travel to LPS on an overnight train, being the greener option available. The venue we have selected is reachable with public transportation and has bicycle parking spots and electric car charging stations.
You can get a special discount if you use an OBB train to reach Vienna, see how: https://lps25.esa.int/plan-your-lps/
We will track all participants’ carbon emissions, this is why we will ask you about your travel in our Post-Event Evaluation Survey.
What you can do
- Fill out the Post-Event Survey and share how you reached LPS.
- You always have options! Evaluate your alternatives and select the most sustainable. Use https://www.ecopassenger.org to compare the impact of your travel. Bear in mind that taking the bus to the conference centre halves the emissions compared to travelling by car. If you’re travelling from far away, opting for the train instead of the plane can save up to 236 kg CO2 equivalent emissions. Get your train discount here https://lps25.esa.int/plan-your-lps/.
- If flying in your only option, consider offsetting your carbon emissions by contributing to the airline’s compensation programme.
- While in Vienna, enjoy the city by walking, cycling around or use the city’s public transport as much as possible.
- If you know of other people that are joining the event from your area, offer to travel together and share some rides.
- Use https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx to calculate your emissions and support offset programs!
2. ACCOMMODATION
What we are doing
The event staff will be staying in green hotels.
What you can do
Choose a green hotel, find the list here: https://www.umweltzeichen.at/en/tourism/hotels. Make sure you chose a hotel that is as close as possible to the venue, reachable by public transportation or on foot.
During your stay, be as energy-efficient as possible, turn off the lights and the heater or air conditioning when you leave your hotel room, for example.
3. GADGETS & LANYARDS
What we are doing
We have chosen to provide lanyards that are made using recycled paper, and will be collected at the end of the event to be recycled.
We have selected a very special giveaway gadget to raise awareness of our personal carbon emissions.
What you can do
At the end of your participation, leave your lanyard in the dedicated bins for it to be recycled. Remind your colleagues to do the same.
Make sure to get your gadget and use it with as many people as possible!
4. VENUE
What we are doing
The Austria Center Vienna (ACV) was chosen for its commitment to sustainability. Certified with the Austrian Ecolabel Certification, the venue priorities energy efficiency and primarily uses renewable energy sources. This approach significantly reduces its environmental impact – cutting CO2 equivalent emissions by up to 86% compared to using energy from the Austrian electrical grid.
Monitors have replaced printed graphics, and a local company of audio visual professionals will take care of all the widescreens. Transporting the technical equipment from a local source is saving up to 50% of the CO2 equivalent emissions compared to a medium-distance supplier.
The ACV is designed to guarantee barrier-free access. The venue is accessible for those who are visually impaired and for those with limited mobility. Features include lowered registration desks for wheelchair users and spaces the front rows of seating areas to accommodate wheelchairs.
ESA defined a Code of Conduct to promote a harassment-free and respectful conference atmosphere.
We are also aware that the attendees may have different needs and we have adopted the following measures:
- There is a breastfeeding room onsite with changing tables.
- A prayer room is available in the venue.
- Childcare service is offered for children from 3 to 12 years old.
- Subtitles are available for people with hearing problem in the opening and plenary sessions.
- For those who cannot join the event in person, the plenary sessions will be streamed on ESA WebTV.
What you can do
- You will not be alone! Be aware that there will be many participants, help us making the event a great experience for everybody. We encourage you to feel part of the event. Be aware that the first rows will be reserved to participants with reduced mobility or participants requiring special assistance – be cooperative, do not obstruct access. For further information read the event’s Code of Conduct: https://lps25.esa.int/code-of-conduct/
- Check the services you may benefit from and join us! We want you to experience the event fully.
- Let us know if you are bringing your children when you fill out the registration form so that we can be ready to offer any little ones the best experience too.
5. EXHIBITION AREA
What we are doing
Exhibitors are required to follow our sustainable goals by signing a specific Code of Conduct.
Exhibition stands are made of sustainable materials as far as possible, and carpets have been avoided in most areas to reduce emissions.
Printed material has been minimised, from gadgets to decoration. Plastic is banned and where the use of paper is unavoidable, recycled paper has been prioritised.
What you, both as exhibitor and participant, can do
- When it is not strictly required, avoid printing material such as bookings and tickets (i.e. train/plane/hotel reservation). Use your phone to show receipts of your purchases.
- Support us in reducing waste, do not collect wasteful gadgets
- Bring your own water bottle!
- Apply what you’ll learn about sustainability!
6. CATERING
What we are doing
We have avoided single-use plastic tableware. Food is served using metal or ceramic material, or compostable alternatives.
We have made sure that water is easily accessible at catering points. Water dispensers are available around the venue. Water consumption will be measured to calculate the number of plastic bottles saved.
Catering offers mostly locally-sourced, organic, vegetarian and vegan options. Our choice is based on the significant lower environmental impact of vegetables compared to meat production – an estimated reduction of CO2 equivalent emissions of up to 90%.
We also aim to minimise food waste by predicting attendance accurately.
During coffee breaks vegetarian food only is offered.
What you can do
- Avoid the use of plastic, bring your own water bottle and refill it from the water dispensers.
- While in Vienna, support the local community and enjoy the locally-produced food, which reduces emissions from transport.
- When choosing your meal, please consider the information in the table below which notes emissions for 1 kilo or 1 litre of food/beverage. As you can see from this comparison, 1kg of vegetarian food would save 18.68 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions.
| F.E. | u.m. | |
|---|---|---|
| Fish | 14,460 | kg CO2eq/kg |
| Meat | 20,350 | kg CO2eq/kg |
| Vegetarian | 1,670 | kg CO2eq/kg |
| Tea | 0,207 | kg CO2eq/kg |
| Juice | 2,161 | kg CO2eq/kg |
| Non-alcoholic cocktail | 0,571 | kg CO2eq/kg |
| Cocktail | 3,223 | kg CO2eq/kg |
- Dispose of any waste using the appropriate bins, follow the waste sorting instructions during of your stay.
7. COMMUNICATION
What we are doing
Relevant topics on sustainability are part of the symposium programme. Key speakers will discuss the topic to increase the awareness of sustainability objectives.
The event’ sustainability goals will be presented on the screens at the venue.
The content of our publication on the sustainability page will be used to promote the topic on social media.
What you can do
Take good practices home with you, follow our social media and… do not forget to bring your own water bottle to LPS!