Valorisation of environmental effects of scientific conferences addressing transport-environment effects: A case study review

• Published in: Transportation research procedia (Online) 2023, Vol.73, p.17-24
• Main Authors: Rezo, Zvonimir, Steiner, Sanja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: carbon footprint; emissions approximation; ICAO Green Meetings Calculator
• ISSN: 2352-1465; 2352-1465
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trpro.2023.11.886

To achieve greater awareness of the effects air transport has on the environment, the International Civil Aviation Organization has developed a web application named Green Meetings Calculator. It is primarily used by United Nations organizations to reduce their carbon emissions from air travel to attend certain meetings. In principle, the ICAO Green Meetings Calculator facilitates the process of selecting an optimal meeting venue by accounting for the carbon footprint. The optimal location is determined by correlating venue location, articulated in terms of accessibility by a direct or one-stop connecting flight, and attendees’ origin. In that respect, this paper presents findings of the application of the ICAO Green Meetings Calculator on the example of a randomly selected scientific conference whose agenda is to mitigate the effects of the aviation industry on the environment. Supported by findings on the effects and optimality of venue location selection, this paper in a broader sense indicates that the academic community should reconsider traditional forms of scientific conferences organization in favor of hosting carbon-neutral events.