We’re committed to making the International Conference on Social Robotics + AI not only inspiring for minds, but also respectful of our planet and inclusive for everyone. This means thinking carefully about how we plan, travel, eat, and interact — and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Conferences bring people together, but they also have an environmental footprint. From travel emissions to catering choices, every decision adds up. Making conscious choices can reduce waste, cut carbon, and set a positive example for other events worldwide. Thus, our goal for the International Conference on Social Robotics + AI – this year and the years to come- is simple: enjoy the conference, leave a lighter footprint. While we are committed to improving each year, we recognise that this is an ongoing journey and there is still work to be done.
We recommend looking for a hotel close to the venue with environmental certifications or visible sustainability measures, e.g., using renewable energy, proper waste sorting systems, or offering sustainable food options.
We know that hotels in Naples are in high demand during the conference period, so you might not have much flexibility in your booking. Even if your choice is already set, you can still help make your stay more sustainable:
– Reuse towels and bed linens instead of having them changed daily
– Switch off lights, air conditioning, and electronics when leaving your room
– Limit water use when showering or brushing your teeth
– Reduce single-use plastics by refilling a water bottle where safe to do so, and consider bringing your own toiletries, such as shampoo, body wash, and a toothbrush to avoid the single-use items typically provided by hotels.
Travel is the biggest contributor to a conference’s carbon footprint. We encourage:
– Using public transport, cycling, or walking whenever possible
– Arriving by train instead of flying for shorter distances
– Sharing taxi rides or using low-emission shuttle services
Our catering is designed to be good for you and the planet:
– Plant-forward menus with vegetarian and vegan options
– Locally sourced ingredients, where possible
– A water dispenser will be available on the 3rd floor at the entrance to the terraces, the location for coffee breaks and lunches. In addition, the catering service will provide an automatic water dispenser with recyclable cups. We encourage all attendees to bring their own water bottles to conveniently refill throughout the day.
Please help us by avoiding food waste — take only what you will enjoy.
You’ll find clearly marked recycling bins throughout the venue. Colour-coded recycling bins are available on every floor. We kindly ask all participants to use them correctly to ensure proper waste separation. We’ve tried to minimise single-use items and installed water-saving devices.
Please help by sorting waste correctly and using refill stations for your water bottle.
We want this conference to be welcoming and safe for everyone. That means:
– All venues are wheelchair-accessible, with step-free entrances and accessible restrooms
– We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination and harassment — if you experience or witness any inappropriate behaviour, please contact our event team immediately
– Gender balance and diversity are prioritised in the organizing committee, speaker line-ups, and panels
We aim to understand the full climate footprint of this conference. We plan to use this as a baseline to improve in the years to come. Attendees will receive a short questionnaire to gather data on travel, transport, and other activities. Using this information, we will calculate the event’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
If our budget allows, we will offset these emissions by supporting certified, high-quality climate projects. If funding is limited, we may invite attendees to contribute toward offsets, so we can take this step together.
By working together — organisers, speakers, and guests — we can show that high-quality events don’t have to come at a high cost to the planet. Thank you for being part of ICSR’s sustainability effort and for making choices that align with a more sustainable future.
We hope you enjoyed the conference and took away new ideas, connections, and inspiration!
To help us make future events more sustainable, we’re asking for a minute of your time.
Your answers will stay anonymous and will only be used in aggregated form to calculate the conference’s CO₂ footprint and improve our sustainability efforts.
