Sustainability at BIO-Europe
Please review the information below to learn more about our sustainability efforts and the steps you can take to make a difference.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
We know sustainability is important to our attendees and exhibitors and our market as a whole. Not only are we committed to running our event in an environmentally and socially responsible way, but we also want to go further and inspire the sustainable development of the industry we serve. By connecting people with relevant networks and knowledge at our event, we’re helping them solve some of the sector's biggest challenges to ensure long-term, sustainable growth.
BIO-Europe has been developed in line with an industry-leading event sustainability program, focusing on:
Inspiring sustainable development
Running an environmentally responsible event
Running a socially responsible event
AREAS OF FOCUS
Inspiring sustainable development
We focus on:
Using our content and partnerships to help support the sustainability of the market our event serves.
Inspiring our suppliers, exhibitors and other stakeholders to deliver a sustainable event
Our efforts include:
- Optimizing partenringONE as a driver for innovation within the life science industry to enable attendees to partner with anyone around the globe
- Facilitating innovation by encouraging startups to attendees our events and offering startup programming, startup presentation tracks and program sessions with Academic Innovators and Nextgen Companies
- A long-standing relationship with Global Genes, a non-profit organization to support patient-industry interaction
- Activity clubs are affiliated with a donation to Wings for Life, a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation
Running an environmentally responsible event
We focus on:
Reducing our event’s carbon emissions
Creating less waste
Considering the sustainability credentials of the items sourced for the event
Our efforts include:
- Avoiding physical mailings referring to the conference and use digital signage wherever possible
- Making significant efforts to reduce food waste by anticipating precise numbers, creating menus as seasonal and regional as possible, and have reduced meat overall
- If hygiene standards permit, we contribute leftover food to charities
- Offering chinaware and cutlery whenever possible. If it is inevitable to use disposables or packaging, we have switched to biodegradable materials (e.g. watercooler cups)
Running a socially responsible event
We focus on:
Doing business safely and ethically
Ensuring our event is a welcoming environment for all
Considering wellbeing and accessibility
Creating a positive impact on our host cities
Our efforts include:
- Offering Break n' Breathe sessions live and on-demand
- Offering several activity groups to participate in (Strava Club, Biotech Bikers)
- Focus on creating diverse program sessions
EASY WAYS YOU CAN BE MORE SUSTAINABLE AT BIO-EUROPE
Here are our top tips on how you can help make this event even more sustainable.
Reduce the brightness of your screen and remember to hibernate your computer when not in use to help reduce your energy usage
Make sure you take a break at regular intervals throughout the day. Getting away from your screen for a minute to stretch your legs, staying hydrated and having a healthy snack will improve your ability to get the most out of the event
Be aware of our code of conduct and help us ensure a welcoming atmosphere of respect for all.
When talking to exhibiting companies remember to ask them about the sustainability credentials of their business and their products
Most event resources have been designed to be easily viewed online or via a mobile device so please avoid printing where possible to help reduce paper waste
Consider eating seasonal and regional foods and maybe less meat overall, it’s good for you and for the planet!
WELLBEING AT BIO-EUROPE
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make a huge difference to your well-being and physical and mental performance, whether in the office, at home, or at an in-person event. Although virtual events may not be as physically demanding as in-person events, they can be mentally challenging.
Check out our tips on how to make the most of virtual events:
Start your day off right with some light exercise, yoga, meditation or stretching
Stay hydrated throughout the event with regular water breaks or other healthy options like fruit juice or tea
Take regular screen breaks between sessions, stretch, get up from your desk and move around
Don’t miss our break n' breathe breaks during the event.
SUSTAINABILITY AT INFORMA
Our event is part of Informa Connect and the Informa Group. Sustainability at Informa focuses on the long term impacts we have on customers, colleagues, the communities we work in and the environment.
Many of our stakeholders are clearly telling us that sustainability (social, economic and environmental) is something that is no longer a nice to have but a necessary part of any event. We want to make sure we’re meeting those expectations and we believe that being sustainable is the right thing to do.
We also recognize that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognizing that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve. This is an ongoing process for us and we’re looking for ideas of how we can improve.
More information about our work so far can be found on www.informa.com/sustainability including our latest sustainability reports.
Informa and its events have received numerous awards and recognition including:
