Congratulations to the European Renal Association for introducing sustainability measures to their annual conference. At ERA26 in Glasgow this week, single-use plastics have been removed and local suppliers and partners are prioritised.
At ERA25 in Vienna, nearly 10,000 attendees travelled from around the world. A carbon footprint analysis showed that 98% of the event’s total emissions came from travel. This highlights that the greatest emission reduction will come from reducing travel, especially air travel, including through careful location of conferences to take advantage of rail links. This year, ERA attendees are encouraged to make use of train travel, public transport connections, and bike hire available in Glasgow, where it is taking place. Online participation is available. The conference website offers information on carbon offsetting for plane and car transport. It is important to remember that offsetting can only mitigate impacts, not reduce the emissions generated.
Healthcare conferences must model the Hippocratic oath to ‘first, do no harm’ by drastically reducing their own greenhouse gas pollution. Beyond the exchange of expertise and knowledge, these conferences are a chance for healthcare organisations to showcase their alignment of operational practices with their ethical responsibilities to patients and the planet. Let's encourage UK Kidney Week and other renal conference organisers to adopt similar measures and ensure that sustainability becomes a core part of future meetings.
If you will be in Glasgow for ERA26, please come along to the Sustainable Nephrology Committee workshop on Saturday morning - and do get in touch to meet up for a sustainability group coffee 10.30am on Friday.
Frances
The European Renal Association has partnered with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, Trinity College Dublin and others to reduce the environmental impact of kidney care through Horizon Europe’s KitNewCare project.
Please log in or sign up to comment.