Sustainable events at Linnaeus University

Food and drink

• Choose primarily vegetarian dishes. If meat is served, poultry, natural pasture meat or game is recommended.
• Ask for measures to reduce food waste.
• Order tap water instead of bottled water.
• Provide information about where the food comes from and whether it has any environmental or fair trade labelling.
• Serve food that takes into account the most common dietary restrictions (gluten, lactose, nuts and pork).

Facilities

• Make sure that the premises are accessible. Linnaeus University's premises are accessible to a very large extent. Priority has been given to public and general areas/rooms where we achieve today's requirements and recommendations in a good way. For non-activity-specific classrooms, we have good accessibility.
  o Hearing loops are available in larger lecture theatres and are linked to the theatre's AV technology. For rooms that do not have a hearing loop, portable aids are available to borrow.
  o Braille and cues are available in all lecture theatres in Kalmar.
  Guidance paths are available in a majority of the buildings in Växjö. Braille is available on signs for toilets and lifts in Växjö.
• Use decoration that takes allergies into account, with as small impact on the environment and the climate as possible.

Equipment

• Only use profile and printed information material when necessary. Refer to web links instead.
• Disposable items should be avoided, plastic material in particular.

Target group and speakers

• Strive for broad representation among speakers in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, et cetera.
• If possible, strive for diversity among event participants by inviting and promoting the event broadly and inclusively.
• Strive for a broad representation in images and text of gender, ethnicity, age, functionality, etcetera.
• Strive to avoid stereotypical representations as much as possible.

Participation and travel

• Adapt the conference format to the purpose of the conference; digital, physical or hybrid.
• Adapt the start and end time of the conference to public transport timetables. Strive to organise in a location that minimises travel.
• The invitation encourages participants and speakers to travel sustainably, such as carpooling and travelling by train and bus.

Accommodation

• As a first alternative, when making reservations for accommodation in connection to arrangement of conference, choose accommodation alternatives that Linnaeus University has an agreement with. These accommodation alternatives meet the requirement of certified environment and sustainability work.

Communication

• Try not to print multiple programme folders or programme sheets. Instead, print the QR code to the conference website on name badges or programme signs.
• Documentation, such as abstracts, PPT presentations, etc. are posted on the conference website for download.
• Encourage exhibitors not to distribute materials during conferences.
• Communicate that the event is sustainable. Be open and transparent about sustainability efforts.
• Ask participants to return the name tag when they leave the conference.

Social aspects

• Work with an inclusive language, for example by saying "break" instead of "leg stretcher". This way we do not assume the type of functionality that the conference participants have.
• When socialising during the conference, make sure it is inclusive.
• Use black pens on whiteboards, as that colour is easiest for all participants to see.
• Linnaeus University has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment and other violations. 

Follow-up and evaluation

• Follow up the sustainability aspects after the event to see what can be improved.