Enviromental Policy 2024
Enviromental Policy 2024
Commitment from ESPA
At ESPA, we aim to ensure our activities, including meetings and educational services, contribute to a sustainable society. By integrating environmentally conscious practices into everything we do, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable development.
- Environmental Commitments
- Environmental Protection
ESPA will actively protect the environment, prevent pollution, and responsibly manage its operations to minimize impact. - Sustainable Planning
Environmental considerations will guide future planning and investment decisions to align with this policy. - Resource Efficiency
ESPA is committed to reducing resource consumption, eliminating waste, and preventing pollution in all its activities. - Low-Carbon Travel
ESPA will prioritize locations for meetings and events that are easily accessible by low-carbon transportation, such as railways, to reduce travel emissions. - Virtual Accessibility
We will expand online educational activities such as webinars.
- Environmental Protection
- Compliance
We pledge to comply with or exceed environmental obligations, including anticipating and adapting to relevant environmental legislation. - Targets
The ESPA Executive Board is tasked with setting clear, measurable targets to drive continuous improvement in environmental sustainability. - Audit
The ESPA Executive Board will audit organizational practices annually to ensure compliance with the policy and identify opportunities for further improvement. The audit should be ready for presentation at the general assembly.
Environmental Audit 2024
Audit of compliance to Environmental policy 2024
ESPA EXBO meetings
90% of the ExBo meetings are already held through the virtual platform. One live meeting was as usual held in conjunction with the annual congress, and thus with insignificant environmental impact since the members were already on site for the congress.
One live meeting was also held in Prague in April. This location was chosen since direct flights are available from most of the board member´s countries, and the Guarant support team did not have to travel.
Targets have hitherto not been formalized. The latter could be considered for 2025.
ESPA Annual Congress 2024
Positive
- Paperless Congress: All event materials, including programs and schedules, were provided digitally.
- Reusable Lanyards: Delegates used lanyards designed for multiple events to reduce waste.
- Public Transportation: All outside-congress activities were coordinated with local public transport systems to minimize emissions.
- Eliminating Plastic: No plastic items were used during the event, from decorations to materials.
- No Disposable Tableware: Durable, reusable tableware was employed for all meals and refreshments.
- Sustainable Catering: Meals featured local, seasonal produce, supporting regional farmers and reducing transportation emissions.
- Zero Catering Waste: Leftover food was minimized by precise planning and distribution, ensuring nothing went to waste.
- Direct flights are often available to Athens’ airport
Room for improvement
- Athens is difficult to reach without air travel. Only one of the EXBO members traveled by train and ferry. The EXBO could more clearly emphasize the importance of finding sites with more environmental friendly access when planning future meetings. The venue for 2025 is probably a good choice in this regard.