Congress of the European Society of
Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
ESCMID acknowledges the significant environmental impact that events such as ESCMID Global have on the planet, including strain on resources and energy, as well as the production of waste. To address this, the ESCMID Sustainability Commission was established in 2023 to enhance the sustainability practices of the congress and explore new global initiatives that reinforce ESCMID’s mission.
The ESCMID Sustainability Commission and Executive Committee understand that full sustainability for ESCMID Global is idealistic but are dedicated to implementing sustainable approaches and creating a more environmentally friendly event. Your participation is key to this effort, and here you can see how ESCMID is taking action and how you can help.
The 10 congress attendees who travel the greatest distance by public transport will each receive 100 EUR in recognition of their commitment to sustainable travel.
Thank you to everyone who applied for the ESCMID Global Green Travel Award 2026. We are delighted to report that all applicants combined travelled over 28,700 km by sustainable means to Munich, saving almost 3,500 tonnes of CO2 (a reduction of 81%) compared to travelling by plane. Curious about who won and where they travelled from? Check out the Awardees Gallery!
ESCMID is planning measures that aim to reduce the carbon footprint generated by running an event at the magnitude of ESCMID Global and promoting environmental responsibility. Online access, transportation support, sustainable venue, construction and catering while encouraging practical solutions are all major priorities for ESCMID to tackle to bring the congress towards a more environmentally friendly position
Most sessions are broadcast in real-time via live streaming. This allows remote participants to engage directly with speakers and moderators while also giving all attendees the option to reduce travel-related emissions.
To reduce CO2 emissions related to transportation, ESCMID promotes eco-friendly travel by offering public transportation tickets for all full registrations.
Stockholmsmässan is easily accessible by public transport, located just 9 minutes by commuter train from Stockholm Central Station. Stockholm’s public transport system runs on 100% renewable energy.
To reward sustainable travel, we introduced the ESCMID Global Green Travel Award celebrating the 10 congress attendees who will travel the greatest distance by public transport (excluding plane) or active transport (cycle, run, walk).
If you want to know who else came by train, come get your “I came by train” button at the ESCMID booth!
ESCMID Global 2027 is hosted at Stockholmsmässan, where sustainability is embedded across all operations. The venue works holistically across environmental, social and economic sustainability and aligns its efforts with ISO 20121, Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As one of the first venues in the Nordic region, Stockholmsmässan is a signatory to Net Zero Carbon Events and is certified according to the SHORE Gold standard for safety, risk management and resilience.
All electricity, cooling and gas used at Stockholmsmässan come from renewable or climate‑neutral sources. Energy efficiency measures include LED lighting, CO₂‑controlled ventilation, demand‑controlled heating and cooling, and on‑site solar panels, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The venue’s internal logistics vehicles operate on electricity or biofuels, and EV charging stations are available.
A-Booth in charge of building stands and temporary constructions is active in applying sustainable practices in its business. Additionally, over the years, ESCMID reuses material from previous congresses as much as possible and chooses to use reusable shell scheme system for temporary structures. Find out more information in their sustainability report.
All restaurants at Stockholmsmässan are sustainability certified. Catering focuses on seasonal and responsibly sourced ingredients, with strong plant‑based offerings. Food waste is actively reduced, and unavoidable food waste is is either donated to a local soup kitchen project or converted into biogas, supporting Stockholm’s public transport system. Most food and drink options at ESCMID Global will be served using reusable plates
ESCMID aims to raise awareness and foster discussion on the health impacts of climate change, particularly its link to ID and CM. To support this, ESCMID stays committed to integrating climate-related sessions into the ESCMID Global programme.
ESCMID’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond protecting the environment — it also extends to people. To support younger members and those from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), ESCMID offers special travel grants and reduced congress fees. We are committed to diversity and inclusion across our membership and among all congress attendees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from the ESCMID community.
As an ESCMID Global participant, you have the opportunity to actively contribute to the sustainability of the event. For that, ESCMID has created this simple guide to find out how to participate in our efforts by using your free public transport ticket, bringing your own water bottle, recycling your waste responsibly and attending climate change sessions to learn more and engage in meaningful discussions.
Are you looking for ideas on how to reach Stockholm without a plane?
Consider a ferry! Stockholm can be reached directly by overnight ferry from Helsinki, Finland, or from Gdynia (near Gdańsk) in Poland. From Germany, ferry connections to Sweden depart from Kiel or Travemünde .
Trains are a great option too! The main rail route runs through Hamburg, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark. A direct night train from Hamburg takes you all the way to Stockholm.
Besides being good for the environment, this makes you eligible for the ESCMID Global Green Travel Award and for a free “I came by train” button that can be picked up at the ESCMID booth.
Free fresh water will be available at water stations throughout the venue, and Stockholm’s tap water is also safe to drink. To reduce plastic waste, no disposable cups will be provided, so bring your reusable bottle to refill. You can pick up a free water bottle at the App & Beacon Helpdesk.
To minimise the total unrecycled waste generated by the consequent amount of ESCMID Global participants, recycling bins will be situated at strategic locations in the venue.
Attending sessions on climate change is a great opportunity to get informed about one of the world’s most urgent issues. It is also a chance to start important discussions and explore how everyone can contribute to a more sustainable future.
The ESCMID Green Team wants to hear from you and is glad to receive your ideas on how to improve.