Sustainability 2026
Sustainability at ICAM
ICAM strives to strengthen medical education and research for the health of people and the planet. As part of this aim, we are committed to responsible and sustainable practices. As we bring together leaders, innovators, learners, and researchers from around the world, we ensure the conference reflects our shared values of care, stewardship, and accountability to our planet and to one another.
Our Key Sustainability Initiatives
Responsible Food Practices:
Our sustainability efforts extend to conference food and beverage experiences. Rogers Centre Ottawa prioritizes:
- Local and seasonal ingredients
- Partnerships with regional producers
- Reduced transportation related emission
To minimize food waste, the venue collaborates with La Tablée des Chefs and The Ottawa Mission to recover and donate surplus edible food, supporting community food security.
To reduce single use plastics, attendees are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and use on site refill stations.
Sustainable Venue:
We select venues that prioritize responsible waste management, energy efficiency, and environmentally conscious operations.
Our 2026 conference will be held at Rogers Centre Ottawa, a venue recognized for sustainability focused practices including responsible resource use and waste reduction.
To learn more about their sustainability initiatives, please visit: 🔗 https://rogers-centre.ca/about-us/responsibilities
Sustainable Events Platinum Certification:
ICAM has received the Sustainable Events Platinum Certification from uOttawa in recognition of our commitment to responsible planning and reducing the environmental impact of our conference.
Through thoughtful design and collaboration, we are advancing academic medicine in a way that supports both community and planet.
Carbon Offset Donation:
To help reduce the environmental impact of travel, 15 dollars from every conference registration is donated to carbon offset initiatives.
This year, we are proud to support Forêt Capitale Forest, an Ottawa-based registered charity dedicated to mitigating the effects of climate change by planting forests and raising awareness of the importance of trees and biodiversity. The carbon offset donations will directly contribute to more sustainable and successful tree planting projects.
Sustainable Travel & Accommodation:
While air travel is necessary for many participants, we strive to reduce environmental impact by promoting:
- Shared and public transportation options
- Airport shuttles
- Environmentally conscious hotel partners
- Responsible use of conference materials and promotional items (e.g., recycling lanyards, minimizing waste, and avoiding single-use plastic giveaways or promotional items)
Looking Ahead
Our sustainability work is ongoing. Each year, we learn, collaborate, and evolve our practices to deepen our impact. We welcome feedback, partnerships, and new ideas as we continue building a conference that reflects a healthier and more sustainable future.