Science

Cercedilla manifesto: Research meetings must be more sustainable

Petition is directed to
Individual scientists and persons in charge of scientific institutions
353 supporters

Petitioner did not submit the petition.

353 supporters

Petitioner did not submit the petition.

  1. Launched 2020
  2. Collection finished
  3. Submitted
  4. Dialogue
  5. Failed

The signatories of this petition recognize the importance of increasing sustainability in scientific meetings, in particular with regard to reducing travel, featuring plant-based catering, and being organized in a structured way. By signing this petition, the signatory promotes the organization and/or attendance of scientific meetings in the spirit of SDG12 on sustainable production and consumption, and engages in measures according to the 12 sustainability decisions of the Cercedilla Manifesto [1].

[1] A. Sanz-Cobena, R. Alessandrini, B. L. Bodirsky, M. Springmann, E. Aguilera, B. Amon, F. Bartolini, M. Geupel, B. Grizzetti, S. Kugelberg, C. Latka, X. Liang, A.B. Milford, P. Musinguzi, EL Ng, H. Suter, A. Leip* (2020) Research meetings must be more sustainable. Nature Food. doi: 10.1038/s43016-020-0065-2 https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0065-2. See view-only version here: https://rdcu.be/b3C3C

Petición en español https://www.openpetition.eu/petition/online/el-manifiesto-de-cercedilla-para-reuniones-cientificas-sostenibles

petição português https://www.openpetition.eu/petition/online/manifesto-de-cercedilla-congressos-e-seminarios-de-pesquisa-devem-ser-mais-sustentaveis

Deutsche Petition https://www.openpetition.eu/petition/online/cercedilla-manifesto-wissenschaftliche-meetings-sollten-nachhaltiger-werden

Reason

How to make meeting more sustainable: checklist for organisers

I) Is a physical meeting necessary? Whether the environmental footprint of a meeting is appropriate depends crucially on the expected scientific outcome of the meeting. Tools such as telephone or video conferencing allow to substitute physical meetings effectively in most cases, saving travel times, financial and organizational resources as well as environmental impacts. For long-distance participants, remote participation should be default and physical participation justified only for team-building with new colleagues. Meetings serving mainly for exchange of information or broader discussions can be organized remotely

II) Are logistics for remote participation available? Even if organizing a physical meeting, physical presence may not be possible or necessary for all attendees. Good audio/video facilities are essential allowing active remote participation, and make emote participation a real alternative. Expenses for equipment at high quality should stand in an appropriate proportion to travel expenses, and should be considered in project funding.

III) What is the best place? Is eco-transport possible? The location of the venue should be chosen considering accessibility by attendees. Using public transport and trains should be preferred over air travel.

IV) Will the venue be powered with renewable energy? Select a venue that uses energy from renewable sources. Appropriate temperature standards should be chosen to ensure participants comfort (avoid overheating or over-cooling).

V) Are plastics, gadgets and conference materials minimized? Use tap water, avoid plastic wrapping/ cutlery, printed material and give-aways.

VI) Is sustainable catering ensured (plant-based, from sustainable and ethical production)? Plant-based and healthy meals should be the default for environmental and public health reasons. Food should be sourced from socially and environmentally sustainable supply chains, respecting high ethical standards.Early engagement with caterers and food suppliers can ensure planning of a healthy, tasty and sustainable catering.

VII) Is a food waste management plan available? Avoid food waste and over-consumption, for example by offering fewer food choices and implementing food waste prevention and management plan.

VIII) Is the co-design of the meeting ensured through good communication between organizers and attendees? The Cercedilla Manifesto conceives sustainable meetings as the result of a co-creative process that must engage both conference organizers and attendants. Good communication among organizers and attendees is crucial to raise awareness and reach the set sustainability goals. Fully remote meetings as well as physical meetings with remote participation need to adapt their communication style. For example, virtual break-out groups can allow for in-depth and casual discussions also in larger remote meetings. New digital collaboration tools that were developed for virtual collaboration (e.g. parallel working on living documents) can enrich also purely physical meetings.

How to make meeting more sustainable: checklist for attendees

IX) Do I need to travel or is remote participation better? Once meeting goals have been defined and known by all parties, together with options for remote and physical attendance, the individual decision to travel is taken under consideration of maximizing the meetings' sustainability.

X) Is my physical or remote participation well planned? Can I achieve my scientific goals? Regardless of physical or remote participation, attendance to meetings needs to be well prepared.

XI) How can I contribute at the meeting to reduce energy and resources use? Each participant must be responsible for their own energy use during the meeting. This goes from avoiding unnecessary towel washing to switching off lights and electronic devices if they are not in use.

XII) How can I help make the meeting a success for all? Take advantage of the meeting. If physical attendance is finally chosen, try to enjoy as much as possible in a multi-dimensional way: scientifically, culturally and socially. Keep in mind the environmental implications of your decisions regarding the meetings’ participation.

Thank you for your support, Adrian Leip from Laveno-Mombello
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Academics should lead in reducing flight, one of the fastest ways academia can reduce its carbon emissions. Some flight will be essential, but Universities, funders and more should implement measures to discourage flight and make staff conscious of their moral obligation to justify the carbon costs incurred by the design of research meetings.

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