Sustainability

ESCRS looks to the future - starting with sustainability now

Sustainability was a thread woven through the fabric of this year’s annual Congress in Milan.

ESCRS looks to the future - starting with sustainability now
Sean Henahan
Sean Henahan
Published: Tuesday, October 4, 2022

The ESCRS worked for many months to organise a net zero waste and emissions Congress. The ESCRS is committed to calculating, reducing, and offsetting the event’s carbon emissions. It began at the online registration, where members could choose a Gold Standard-certified, carbon-offsetting option. Members also had the opportunity to take the ESCRS Zero Emission Sustainability Pledge to help carry the message home after the meeting.

There were sessions throughout the conference looking at improving sustainability in all areas of ophthalmology, from manufacturing to the operating room. Panellists discussed potential ways to eliminate waste, emissions, and pollution, including recycling materials and products and switching to more sustainable materials.

Some of the goals of the ESCRS sustainability initiatives are:

  • Eliminate waste, emissions, and pollution
  • Recycle materials and products
  • Switch to more sustainable materials
  • Regenerate natural systems (people and planet)
  • Design for inclusiveness and diversity
  • Use our sustainability efforts to improve participants’ event experience

ESCRS members as well as exhibitors were asked to take steps to reduce our communal carbon footprint. This started with traveling more sustainably to and from the meeting by taking a train instead of a plane when possible. Next would be to choose a hotel with a Green Globes sustainability rating. During the conference, members could take advantage of healthier and climate-friendlier food and drink options. Conference planners worked to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles in favour of water stations and bespoke reusable bottles. The Congress also implemented an advanced recycling system.

A sustainability report identifying effective strategies, best practices, and lessons from Milan will be produced after the Congress and applied to planning next year’s Congress in Vienna and other future ESCRS events—with the goal of creating net zero carbon emission events.

Bird’s-eye view of one week’s worth of surgical waste from the Hanusch Eye Clinic in Vienna.

Latest Articles
Towards a Unified IOL Classification

The new IOL functional classification needs a strong and unified effort from surgeons, societies, and industry.

Read more...

The 5 Ws of Post-Presbyopic IOL Enhancement

Fine-tuning refractive outcomes to meet patient expectations.

Read more...

AI Shows Promise for Meibography Grading

Study demonstrates accuracy in detecting abnormalities and subtle changes in meibomian glands.

Read more...

Are There Differences Between Male and Female Eyes?

TOGA Session panel underlined the need for more studies on gender differences.

Read more...

Simulating Laser Vision Correction Outcomes

Individualised planning models could reduce ectasia risk and improve outcomes.

Read more...

Mastering IOL Exchange

Tips and tricks for an uncomplicated replacement procedure.

Read more...

Need to Know: Aberrations, Aberrometry, and Aberropia

Understanding the nomenclature and techniques.

Read more...

When Is It Time to Remove a Phakic IOL?

Close monitoring of endothelial cell loss in phakic IOL patients and timely explantation may avoid surgical complications.

Read more...

Delivering Uncompromising Cataract Care

Expert panel considers tips and tricks for cataracts and compromised corneas.

Read more...

Organising for Success

Professional and personal goals drive practice ownership and operational choices.

Read more...