Since 2012, the BRS Secretariat has been committed to environmental sustainability in its activities, including the preparation and conduct of meetings. In alignment with the United Nations Climate Neutral Strategy, the Secretariat has been working to improve its environmental performance and has been climate neutral since 2012.

The 2025 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (2025 BRS COPs) will continue this commitment through several measures to reduce the environmental footprint of the meetings and offset unavoidable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) that will be the venue for the 2025 BRS COPs has also adopted several measures to reduce the environmental footprint of its services.

The environmental impact of the meetings depends on all conference delegates, and your support in this important endeavour is highly appreciated.

1. Sustainable Measures Adopted by the BRS Secretariat

• Calculate your travel emissions: ICAO calculator
• Offset emissions: UN Carbon Offset Platform

1. The offset purchase funds an array of projects ranging from wind power projects to efficient bus transit systems, or projects that replace harmful cook stoves with healthy, clean-burning ones etc. Projects that sell their credits can be filtered by region, country, co-benefits or price. Purchasing of certified emission reduction units (CERs) corresponding to your emission estimate can be initiated by selecting the project you wish to invest in.
2. After you choose the project and purchase the CERs, an attestation of the offset will be made available to you.
3. Please send us a copy of your attestation at sustainability@brsmeas.org to help us track progress in achieving climate neutrality of the 2025 BRS COPs.

b. Waste Reduction

• The 2025 BRS COPs will minimize plastic waste through collaboration with the venue and catering services, using Polylactic Acid and other biodegradable/compostable materials.
• Participants and delegates are strongly encouraged to bring reusable drinking containers (mugs, bottles) and use them at the cafeteria and water fountains located throughout the venue. A reusable cup discount will be provided by the caterer.
• Nearby restaurants now use reusable packaging through a deposit return system. For details, visit Recircle.

c. Paperless Meetings

All documents for the 2025 BRS COPs will be available online, eliminating paper usage. Delegates are encouraged to bring laptops or iPads as no hard copies will be provided.

2. Sustainable Measures at the CICG Venue

The Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) has taken additional steps to minimize its environmental impact:

• Energy & Water: Reduced consumption and a focus on sustainability.
• Catering: ISO 14001 and “Fourchette Verte” certifications, emphasizing local and seasonal products.
• Recycling: Available throughout the venue.

For further details, please consult the environmental charter of the Foundation for Buildings for International Organizations (FIPOI).

3. How You Can Support Sustainability

As a delegate, your actions can make a significant difference:

1. Travel: Choose rail over short flights, opt for direct routes, and consider flying economy to reduce emissions.
2. Food: Choose plant-based meals and locally sourced, seasonal foods. Some useful labels used in Geneva are:
   1. GRTA - Genève Région Terre Avenir: this guarantee mark identifies agricultural products from the region around Geneva;
   2. AOC - controlled designation of origen and IGP - protected geographical indication: AOC and IGP products are high-quality Swiss specialities which display a strong link to the region in which they are made;
   3. IP Suisse: this indicates products of Swiss origen made by means of an integrated production process (limited use of treatment products) which can be marketed at fair prices;
   4. Pro Specie Rara: this identifies breeders and farmers committed to protecting and reproducing rare, old and even endangered breeds of animal and varieties of vegetable.
3. Waste: Reduce food and other waste, use active transport (walking/public transit), and participate in the venue's recycling program.
4. Accommodations: Stay at eco-certified hotels with green guest programs or those within walking distance of the venue. Participate in your hotel's linen reuse program.
5. Bring your own reusable bottle to use at plastic-free hydration stations.
6. Download all conference materials electronically and reduce the need for printouts. Device charging is available onsite.

Please see our leaflet with detailed tips to reduce waste production at the 2025 BRS COPs.  

Thank you for helping us in our efforts to green the 2025 COPs!

For more information, please contact us at sustainability@brsmeas.org.

*Some of these items are drawn from the document “United Nations Ozone Secretariat Event EMS Green Travel and Event Tips”.