Annual Congress 2027

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Our Sustainability Pledge – CAI Annual Congress of Anaesthesia 2027

The climate emergency is widely recognised as the greatest global health challenge of our time. As healthcare professionals, anaesthesiologists have a unique responsibility — and opportunity — to lead by example in reducing environmental harm while delivering high-quality patient care.

Over recent years, the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI) has actively worked to reduce the environmental impact of the Annual Congress. In 2027, we are continuing this commitment and strengthening our focus on sustainability across all aspects of the event.

What the College of Anaesthesiologists is doing

To minimise the environmental footprint of the Congress, we have implemented the following measures:

• Reducing paper use through a dedicated Congress app, providing full access to the programme, speaker information, and key updates
• Sustainable catering, with food sourced locally where possible and meat-free lunches provided throughout Congress
• Water refill stations to support the use of reusable bottles
• Use of crockery and reusable service ware in place of disposable items wherever possible
• Encouraging delegates to return their lanyards after the event so they can be reused at future congresses

Why meat-free lunches?

Food choices have a substantial impact on carbon emissions. Meat production — particularly red meat — is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions within the food system.

By offering meat-free lunches, the Congress is taking one of the most effective and immediate steps available to reduce its environmental impact. This initiative significantly lowers carbon emissions, reduces water and land use, and demonstrates how small, collective choices can make a meaningful difference. We see this not as a restriction, but as a positive and inclusive step towards more sustainable healthcare events.

Education and leadership in sustainability

Sustainability is reflected not only in how the Congress is delivered, but also in its scientific programme. This year’s Congress includes a dedicated session on sustainability in anaesthesia, exploring how environmentally responsible practices can be safely and realistically integrated into everyday clinical work.

Through this session, we aim to raise awareness, share practical and evidence-based approaches, and encourage leadership and innovation within the specialty.

How delegates can help

We encourage all attendees to support these initiatives by:

• Using public transport or carsharing where possible to travel to Congress. The UCD campus benefits from excellent public transport links, making sustainable travel an easy choice.
• Recycling waste responsibly using the clearly marked bins provided throughout the venue
• Returning lanyards at the end of the event for reuse

A collective effort

Sustainability is a shared responsibility. By making thoughtful choices — from how we travel, to what we eat, to how we engage with education — we can reduce our environmental impact while continuing to deliver an outstanding scientific meeting.

We thank our delegates for supporting these initiatives and helping us make the CAI Annual Congress a more sustainable event.

As part of our sustainability pledge, we strongly encourage all delegates to travel by public transport, car share, cycle, or walk wherever possible.

If you do need to drive, please only use the designated white parking spaces. All other parking spaces are pay-and-display.

Thank you for supporting our commitment to sustainability.

To sponsor our Annual Congress 2027, email your interest to Nicola Knowles at nknowles@coa.ie