How can you prioritize sustainability in your conference collaborations?

1 Choose a green venue

One of the first steps to prioritize sustainability in your conference collaborations is to select a venue that has a clear environmental policy and practices. Look for venues that use renewable energy sources, have efficient lighting and heating systems, offer recycling and composting facilities, and provide water refill stations and reusable cups. You can also check if the venue has any certifications or awards for its green efforts, such as LEED, Green Key, or ISO 14001.

2 Reduce travel impact

Another major source of environmental impact from conferences is travel. Depending on the location and duration of the conference, you may have to fly, drive, or take public transportation to get there. To reduce your travel impact, you can consider the following options: choose a conference that is close to your home or work, or that is accessible by train or bus; share a ride with other attendees or speakers; offset your carbon emissions by donating to a reputable organization that supports renewable energy or forest conservation projects; and pack light and avoid single-use plastics.

3 Engage with local communities

A third way to prioritize sustainability in your conference collaborations is to engage with the local communities where the conference is held. This can help you learn more about the culture, history, and challenges of the place, as well as support the local economy and social causes. You can do this by: choosing local and organic food and beverages for your catering or meals; buying souvenirs and gifts from local artisans and fair trade shops; visiting cultural and natural attractions that are respectful of the environment and the people; and volunteering for a local charity or non-profit organization that aligns with your values and interests.

5 Follow up with action

A fifth and final suggestion to prioritize sustainability in your conference collaborations is to follow up with action after the conference is over. You can do this by: evaluating the environmental and social impact of your conference participation, and identifying areas for improvement; sharing your learnings and best practices with your colleagues, friends, and online communities; implementing some of the ideas and solutions you learned at the conference in your own work or life; and staying in touch with the people and organizations you met at the conference, and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.