Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Research meetings must be more sustainable

Alberto Sanz-Cobeña, Roberta Alessandrini, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Marco Springmann, Eduardo Aguilera, Barbara Amon, Fabio Bartolini, Markus Geupel, Bruna Grizzetti, Susanna Kugelberg, Catharina Latka, Liang Xia, Anna Birgitte Milford, Patrick Musinguzi, Ee Ling Ng, Helen Suter, Adrian Leip

Nature Food · 2020

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Summary

This commentary, published in Nature Food in 2020, addresses the environmental sustainability of academic research meetings and conferences—forums ostensibly dedicated to advancing sustainable food systems. The paper, authored by a diverse international consortium of researchers, appears to call for greater consistency between the sustainability goals of food systems research and the operational practices of the meetings where that research is presented and discussed. The work likely advocates for institutional and behavioural changes to reduce the carbon and resource footprint of research dissemination.

UK applicability

The recommendations are likely applicable to UK-based research institutions and funding bodies (Research Councils UK, universities) that host or fund participation in international food systems conferences. UK policy on research integrity and environmental impact may increasingly expect alignment between research focus and institutional practice.

Key measures

As suggested by the title, likely environmental impacts (carbon emissions, travel, resource use) associated with in-person research meetings and conferences

Outcomes reported

The paper likely examines the environmental footprint and sustainability practices of academic research meetings and conferences, particularly those focused on food systems and agriculture. It may propose recommendations for reducing the carbon and resource intensity of such gatherings.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Food & agricultural policy
Study type
Commentary
Study design
Commentary
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.1038/s43016-020-0065-2
Catalogue ID
MGmounv56q-67y10n

Topic tags

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