Actions to reduce the carbon footprint of ICPE 2023: The global home for the science of real-world evidence at Halifax, Nova Scotia

ISPE is committed to support and promote environmental sustainability across all aspects of its operations internationally, nationally, and locally. This year, the recently established ISPE Sustainability Committee initiated its operation focussing on designing a roadmap to a greener future, including reducing carbon footprint of ISPE’s conferences.

Below, we list some of the actions and recommendations of the ISPE Sustainability Committee to reduce the carbon footprint of ICPE 2023 Halifax conference.

Conference registration

Participants have the option to join the conference virtually, minimising travel carbon footprint while also increasing conference attendance.

Conference venue

The Halifax Convention Centre received LEED® Canada Gold status (second highest possible) from The Canada Green Building Council 2020. The LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that the building was designed and built to achieve high performance in six areas of human and environmental health (Location & Transportation, Sustainable Site Development, Water Savings, Energy Efficiency, Materials Selection, Indoor Environmental Quality).

The Halifax Convention Centre also provides water bottle filling stations – So bring your favorite refillable bottle to use at congress!

Increase awareness about sustainability at conferences
 

Opening and closing sessions will address sustainability at conferences and a 3 minute pop quiz (Qr code above) will be displayed on conference screens during breaks containing key facts and actions to increase sustainability at conferences

Food and water 

Efforts are being made to increase vegetables, fish and chicken and reduce red meat at the conference catering, aiming for a 60/40 ratio of vegetables to meet-protein.

Water stations for people to refill their bottles will also be provided to reduce single-plastic use.

Travel recommendations 

For trips to Halifax, where feasible, train should be used instead of car, bus or plane. We recommend people to offset the carbon footprint of flights associated with their attendance at the conference.

In Halifax, travel by foot, bicycle or public transportation as much as possible. Where the latter is not available, arrange group pick-up from the hotel.

Accommodation recommendations

Contracted properties (The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax, Cambridge Suites Halifax, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, Prince George Hotel) are located at a walking distance from the conference venue and near public transportation. If staying elsewhere, consider choosing a hotel that is operated in an environmentally responsible manner.

Waste management 

Efforts are being made to reduce use of disposable items and paper consumption. In this context, participants and exhibitors are requested to print and distribute paper documents only if and where necessary and participants are encouraged to print posters on paper.

Badges/name tags will plastic free and recyclable and distributed conference bags will be reusable. We will also provide waste collectors during the conference to recycle items such as bottles, cans and paper.

Electronic dissemination of information

As an alternative to printed materials, we recommend the use of QR codes or similar mobile tags for the electronic dissemination of information to the extent possible.

The programme of the conference is available on the conference website and a limited number of printed copies will be provided.

Energy conservation

We recommend turning off room lights and IT equipment when not in use, enabling energy-saving features and reducing the use of air-conditioning.