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Estimating the carbon footprint of an international radiation oncology conference and modelling reduction strategies
Chuter, R. Brewster, F. Tanderup, K.
Chuter, R.
Brewster, F.
Tanderup, K.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Healthcare professionals attend international meetings to network, disseminate science and update practice. Conferences have large carbon footprints, and this study aimed to estimate the carbon footprint of an ESTRO conference and potential reduction strategies while balancing needs of international networking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The geographical distribution of ESTRO23 attendees was used. The Climatiq API was utilised to determine the carbon footprint, in kg CO(2) equivalent (CO(2)e), of venue, accommodation and travel. The impact of venue location and train travel on total CO(2)e was estimated as well as impact of online attendance. The amount and impact of in-person networking was assessed through a post conference survey. RESULTS: The carbon footprint of ESTRO 2023 was 1.4 tCO(2)e per attendee. Centrally located venues had lowest travel carbon footprint, e.g. Frankfurt with 8,873 tCO(2)e was 28 % lower than Lisbon. Hotel and venue accounted for < 5 % of the footprint. Train travel could reduce total CO(2)e by on average 17 % if all Europeans travelled by train. If all non-Europeans joined the conference online, CO(2)e would drop by 81 %. International networking of ≤ 2 h, 3-6 h and ≥ 7 h was seen in 45 %, 35 % and 20 % of attendees, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ESTRO conference has a significant carbon footprint, with travel accounting for > 95 % (81 % from long-haul flights). Centrally located venues and train travel are important means of reducing CO(2)e. The amount of international networking varies considerably across attendees, and regional or online participation can potentially reduce CO(2)e without compromising conference output for some attendees.
Authors
Chuter, R.
Brewster, F.
Tanderup, K.
Brewster, F.
Tanderup, K.
Affiliation
Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: robert.chuter@nhs.net.
Christie Medical Physics and Engineering, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark.
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Date
2025
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Article
Citation
Chuter R, Brewster F, Tanderup K. Estimating the carbon footprint of an international radiation oncology conference and modelling reduction strategies. Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. 2025 Aug;209:110956. PubMed PMID: 40419117. Epub 2025/05/27. eng.