Sustainability at AABIP
Going Green Together
At AABIP, we are dedicated to continuously improving our sustainability practices with each meeting. We recognize the importance of minimising our environmental impact and fostering a sustainable future.
We are committed to taking significant steps to enhance our sustainability efforts for the AABIP Conference 2024 in Charlotte to make a positive difference and ensure that our meeting contributes to a greener and more sustainable world.
Together, we can create a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible platform for advancing Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology research, prevention and care.
AABIP and the Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, also called the Global Goals) are 17 goals with 169 targets that all UN Member States have agreed to work toward achieving by 2030. They set out a plan for a world without poverty, hunger, and disease.
We at AABIP want to contribute to the achievement of these objectives in our value chain. We support and work toward the following SDGs:
Contributions You Can Make as an AABIP Delegate
As individuals and as a community, we can and should individually contribute to protecting the earth and its natural systems and resources and to sustaining the natural ecological balance of the ecosystem. Here is what we encourage you to do during the AABIP Conference:
- Use the mobile app and the virtual platform (instead of printing) to inquire about the program details.
- Use more sustainable ways of traveling to and around Charlotte (take the train instead of a flight; ride a bike or walk instead of taxi).
- Reduce the waste you generate and separate it for disposal.
- Do not print booking confirmations and boarding passes; instead, provide digital copies of these documents.
- Provide an alternative to business cards – QR codes to LinkedIn or e-card
- Opt for reusable mugs and bottles.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Our top priority is to make high-quality education available to our community. Our goals include eliminating educational gaps between genders; providing more accessible conference options; and enhancing the quality of the scientific program
What we are doing in 2024:
- Foster Scientific Engagement: Throughout the conference, encourage dynamic discussions where participants can ask questions, introduce topics, and engage in debates during the “Ask the Expert” sessions.
- Open Access to Abstracts: Provide free and open access to all abstracts presented at the conference, available post-conference for further review and study.
- Open Call for Abstracts: Invite all attendees to submit abstracts showcasing their research, fostering a diverse and comprehensive scientific dialogue.
- High-Quality Scientific Program: Commit to delivering a robust program featuring leading research and cutting-edge practices in Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology.
- Sessions On Demand: Offer recorded sessions accessible to all conference participants for three months post-conference. This allows attendees to revisit and absorb missed content, or re-watch key presentations and discussions at their convenience.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Our conference operations are deeply committed to prioritizing energy efficiency and the utilization of sustainable resources. We actively seek to minimize our environmental impact by integrating green practices across all aspects of our event. This includes selecting eco-friendly venues that adhere to the highest standards of energy efficiency.
What we are doing in 2024:
The Sheraton Charlotte Hotel prioritizes High Efficiency Lightining, only utilizing LEDs, CFLs and other mean of high efficiency lighting in every area of the hotel while maintaining appropriate lighting levels.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
We conscientiously choose suppliers and partners who prioritize eco-friendly practices and materials. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of reducing resource consumption and managing waste effectively.
What we are doing in 2024:
- We have encouraged all exhibitors to join us in reducing single-use giveaways at their stands, promoting a more sustainable conference experience.
- We have moved away from printed materials. For example, instead of a traditional program book, we will provide enhanced content via our Conference Mobile App and Platform.
- We are adopting e-posters in place of printed poster boards. These are easy to navigate and accessible both at the venue and on personal devices, reducing paper use and increasing accessibility.
- The Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, the venue for our conference, actively contributes to environmental sustainability. It uses to-go containers made from recycled styrofoam, provides wooden coffee stirrers, and offers paper straws.
- In Partnership with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, Marriott hotel follow a structure of “Banned, Avoid, Enjoy” seafood species based on parameters of “caught as bycatch, endangered/threatened/protected, habitat loss, population decline including overfishing, social & health concerns, & illegal/unreported/unregulated” acquisition means.
Charlotte's Commitment to Sustainability
Charlotte is at the forefront of urban sustainability, recognized by Newsweek as one of five cities worldwide leading the charge towards a greener future. This commendation highlights the city’s proactive measures in environmental stewardship. Central to these efforts is the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP), which ambitiously sets goals for Charlotte to achieve carbon neutrality in municipal buildings and fleet by 2030, and for the entire city by 2050.
An integral part of this plan includes annual benchmarks for city buildings, all of which are transparently tracked and available for public viewing on the Power Down the Crown website. This initiative not only reflects Charlotte’s dedication to sustainable development but also serves as an inspiring model for responsible urban planning and energy management.
