The European Respiratory Society (ERS) is committed to contributing to a more sustainable future. The ERS Congress is the Society’s most important event and an ideal platform to: share the latest science relating to clean air and respiratory health; inspire our community to make sustainable choices; and facilitate contributions to climate protection projects.
We are proud to be contributing to climate protection projects around the world for a third consecutive year. Working in partnership with myclimate, ERS makes an annual contribution to this fund – supporting projects which can help communities to make important changes, positively impact environmental sustainability and improve access to clean air.
Help us to give more
We have added an optional donation to the congress registration form – encouraging attendees of our event to contribute either €5 or an amount based on air travel carbon emissions (this calculation is available within the form). ERS pledges to make an additional contribution of €5 for every €5+ donation made by a congress attendee.
Examples of the types of projects this money supports:
We encourage all participants of the ERS Congress to choose greener travel options wherever possible. One of the easiest/most practical ways to do this is to opt for train travel versus air travel. Two initiatives in 2025 to encourage greener travel:
1) GREENER TRAVEL INCENTIVE
The first 100 delegates to visit the ERS sustainability stand onsite in the World Village with evidence of their train travel to Congress (of more than 150km) will receive a greener travel gift: choose either a 5-day local travel pass or a free bike rental voucher, PLUS a reusable ERS branded water bottle AND we will even plant a tree in your name!
2) EUROSTAR DISCOUNT FOR DELEGATES
Did you know that on average the carbon footprint of travelling on Eurostar trains is 96% less than flying? We are thrilled that Eurostar is offering our delegates discounted prices on travel to the ERS Congress 2025. To take advantage of this, please indicate on the congress registration form that you will travel by train and then give consent for ERS to share your email with Eurostar where indicated.
We have heard talk of cycling to Congress! A feat not achievable for most, but we’d love to hear from anyone planning an adventurous and sustainable journey this year. Contact us so that we can celebrate your efforts.
We are working towards a more sustainable future – considering the ways in which our organisation positively contributes to society through our work, and our emissions and environmental impact as a company.
We are collecting details of travel and accommodation of all congress delegates/staff/faculty to capture an accurate picture of the emissions associated with the ERS Congress. The data collected will guide future decisions and provide an important point of measurement to improve upon.
Help us make an accurate calculation
We have included a short section on sustainability as part of the congress registration form. By completing this, attendees support us to capture an accurate overall figure of carbon emissions associated with the event.
Data collection is GDPR compliant and is used for internal purposes only. Individual delegate details are not presented as part of internal reporting – only an overall carbon emission figure.
Honouring the location of this year's Congress, this special Wednesday session, taking place on 1 October at 10:45, explores sustainable initiatives in Dutch healthcare, with a focus on pulmonology.
Healthcare has a significant environmental footprint, and climate change negatively affects health. From green hospital practices to eco-friendly inhalers, initiatives that improve both planetary and patients’ health will be discussed. In addition, the session will highlight the strength of the Dutch network of sustainable healthcare providers, demonstrating how collaboration can drive change.
Read more about this session in the online congress programme
Please make sure you bring a reusable water bottle to this year's Congress. We discourage all our delegates from purchasing single use plastics during the course of the event. If you don't have a reusable bottle, you can purchase a locally-sourced, ERS-branded bottle from the ERS sustainability stand.