Environmental Sustainability

Towards a sustainable future together

We understand that hosting our various congresses throughout the year is both an honour and an environmental responsibility. We are committed to minimising the event's environmental impact, and are taking unprecedented steps to reduce waste.

Discover our sustainable initiatives at EHRA congress

EHRA 2025 aims for the Austrian Ecolabel 

We are proud to announce our commitment to achieving the Austrian Ecolabel for the EHRA Congress 2025. This prestigious certification reflects our dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.  

By implementing eco-friendly practices across mobility, communication, and event management, we aim to host a Green Meeting that aligns with the highest standards of environmental protection.  

Join us in making EHRA 2025 a model of sustainable excellence, where innovation meets eco-consciousness for a healthier planet. 

Key initiatives

1. Waste sorting
2. High-quality tap water will be available as well as water fountains
3. Bring your Bottle: all participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles.
4. Edible cups versus disposable cups
5. Limited Coffee Breaks (no CB in the afternoon)
6. Veggie Monday
7. Travels’ carbon footprint track (train)

Sustainability Tips 

Go digital and limit paper usage 

The ESC has drastically reduced the number of documents it prints. To help reduce paper usage, 

we encourage you to access congress materials and schedules through the programme platform and the congress mobile app, which will be available in the coming months. 

Water, water everywhere 

Bring your own reusable water bottle to refill at the local tap water stations located opposite the EHRA TV Studio. If you don’t have one, stop by the EHRA Corner to purchase your EHRA bottle to take home and keep using. 

Avoid traffic while you take the cleaner option 

Save time and reduce your impact on the environment by getting to the congress venue by public transport, the fastest, most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly option. 

If public transport is not a viable option for you, we encourage you to use low-emission vehicles.

Learn more about the various ways to reach the venue. 

Leave a smaller footprint when you travel 

If you must travel by plane, choose direct flights when possible to limit the carbon emissions. 

Consult our transport page. A discount code is available for those opting for train to come to Vienna. 

Make your stay more sustainable by choosing a Green Certified hotel* and benefit from negotiated rates. 

Consult our hotel page. 

*To be certified, hotels must fulfil internationally defined criteria specially adapted for establishments within the tourism sector. They must make considerable environmental efforts across areas such as food and beverage, energy, waste, and water. They should also calculate their carbon footprint and set targets to reduce it. 

Watts happening 

Save energy by turning off computers, laptops and other electronic devices when not in use. Recharge them only when needed. Turn off the AC and switch off the lights when leaving your hotel room. 

Eat with the planet in mind 

Reduce your impact on the environment by choosing locally sourced and/or vegetarian food provided by our caterers. You are also encouraged to avoid single-use plastic cutlery, dishes and cups. 

Recycling made easy 

Use the designated recycling bins throughout the congress centre to help us get your waste where it needs to go. 

Your badge holder and lanyard will live again 

Racks will be installed at the exit where you can deposit your badge holder and lanyard when you leave so they can be recycled. Whenever possible reuse your old lanyard. 

Reduce, reuse, recycle, review? 

We want to hear from you! Please share your thoughts and suggestions about how we did and how we can improve our sustainability efforts for future events. Please contact us at sustainability@escardio.org  

The ESC and sustainability 

As a not-for-profit medical society, the ESC’s impact on the world is encompassed in its mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. We understand we have an especially relevant calling when it comes to environmental sustainability, given its impact on cardiovascular health 

Environmental sustainability is one of the six strategic aims in the ESC Strategic Plan for 2023–2028. Each objective in the plan is designed to guide the ESC, and the wider cardiovascular healthcare community, through a dynamic and changing landscape over the next five years. 

The ESC Sustainability Focus Group has been created to foster sustainable congress practices and address the interconnected challenges of climate change. Our mission is to define a framework that promotes a resilient future for ESC congresses through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions.  

Sustainability is fundamental to our operations and aligns with our commitment to responsible event management. We proudly collaborate with partners dedicated to reducing their carbon footprint and embracing sustainable practices across four key pillars: Travel & accommodation, Production & waste, Food & food waste, and Energy. 

Sustainability engagement is included in our Requests for Proposals from event venues and suppliers. We work with partners engaged in limiting their carbon footprint and who have already adopted sustainable measures in their daily practice. Only by working in partnership within the events industry will we make significant steps forward to reach our key strategic aim of environmental sustainability.