In recent years, the concept of sustainable travel has gained remarkable momentum, particularly within the scientific community, where concerns about carbon footprints and environmental impact are ever-increasing. A compelling case study recently emerged from the experience of a pediatric researcher attending the European Academy of Paediatrics Society (EAPS) Congress in Vienna. This endeavor not only illustrates the practical challenges of integrating sustainability into international academic travel but also provides insightful pathways for the scientific community to embrace green alternatives in their professional lives. The journey, documented in a forthcoming article in Pediatric Research, underscores the urgency and feasibility of transitioning academic travel towards more sustainable modalities.
The environmental implications of academic conferences are often overlooked in discussions about climate action, yet travel-related carbon emissions constitute a significant portion of an institution’s ecological footprint. Air travel, the preferred mode of transport for many international scholars, remains a substantial contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. The pediatric researcher’s account from traveling sustainably to the EAPS Congress sheds light on the real-world complexities of minimizing this travel impact while maintaining the essential benefits of in-person scientific exchange and collaboration. Their narrative provides a much-needed template for reimagining academic mobility.
Critical to the discussion is the multifaceted approach required to achieve sustainability in travel. The researcher’s experience highlights how opting for rail journeys over air travel, planning itineraries to maximize efficiency, and integrating remote participation technology can collectively reduce emissions without compromising academic engagement. This approach represents a paradigm shift in traditional conference attendance, challenging the deeply entrenched norm of rapid air travel. Moreover, it reveals a commitment within the pediatric research community to uphold environmental responsibility alongside scientific advancement.
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Vienna, as the host city for the 2025 EAPS Congress, perfectly encapsulates the potential for sustainable urban transit systems to support greener travel options. The city’s extensive railway network and emphasis on electric mobility provided an enabling infrastructure that facilitated the researcher’s sustainable travel efforts. This case underlines the importance of city and event planners prioritizing eco-friendly transport logistics to support both travelers and organizers in meeting sustainability goals. It also stresses the synergy between local government policies and individual choices in fostering an environmentally conscious academic culture.
The scientific implications of adopting sustainable travel extend beyond mere environmental benefits. Carbon reduction strategies have become increasingly relevant in funding evaluations and institutional policy directives, mandating researchers to not only report but also mitigate their travel emissions. This researcher’s firsthand experience draws attention to the operational adjustments and mindset shifts necessary to align with such frameworks. It also demonstrates to peers and policymakers that sustainable travel can be practicable and effective even in sectors traditionally dependent on frequent, long-distance travel.
One of the technical aspects explored in the researcher’s journey was the integration of low-emission rail travel supported by renewable energy sources. Unlike conventional air travel, electric trains can substantially lower carbon emissions, particularly when powered by a decarbonized electricity grid. The article delineates specific data on comparative emissions for equivalent segments, emphasizing the environmental benefits of substituting flights with train travel within Europe’s dense rail network. This analysis is vital as it offers an evidence-based rationale for potentially rethinking travel norms among researchers across disciplines.
Furthermore, the practical challenges of sustainable travel, such as increased travel time and logistical planning, are candidly addressed in the narrative. Longer transit periods necessitate adjustments in work schedules, accommodation booking, and conference participation timetables. However, these hurdles are counterbalanced by the tangible advantages of reduced carbon emissions, improved traveler wellbeing, and enhanced opportunities for reflection and knowledge networking en route. The balance between efficiency and sustainability emerges as a central theme, encouraging future dialogues on optimizing conference design and participation.
The psychological dimensions of sustainable travel also come to the fore in the researcher’s experience. The shift from speed-centric to sustainability-centric planning fosters a deepened appreciation for journeying itself. Time spent on trains or slower transit modes invites contemplation, academic reading, and informal exchanges with fellow travelers, which can enrich the scientific experience. This contrasts with the fatigue and disorientation frequently associated with air travel, suggesting that smarter travel choices can enhance cognitive engagement and networking effectiveness during congresses.
Advances in remote conferencing technology supplement the travel narrative by offering hybrid participation models that limit physical presence without sacrificing academic contribution. The researcher’s case study explores how combining limited sustainable travel with virtual attendance can strike a balance that accommodates diverse personal and professional circumstances. Consequently, the article argues for the continued refinement of digital platforms, ensuring they complement rather than replace the irreplaceable value of in-person interaction but without the heavy environmental toll of traditional conference travel.
The case also touches on institutional support mechanisms necessary to facilitate sustainable travel. Funding bodies, universities, and conference organizers are encouraged to develop incentives, subsidies, and policies that lower barriers to sustainable options. For example, prioritizing train reimbursement or providing flexible schedules to account for longer transit times accelerates adoption. This researcher’s narrative serves as a call to action for institutions to embed sustainability into their core operational models, resonating with broader societal commitments to combat climate change.
Importantly, the article does not advocate a simplistic or prescriptive “one-size-fits-all” solution but rather encourages tailored strategies responsive to geographic, technological, and disciplinary contexts. For pediatric researchers, where timely attendance and networking are often mission-critical, a spectrum of sustainable choices must be made available and supported. The Vienna experience exemplifies this nuanced approach by demonstrating that even high-demand scientific engagements can be reconciled with green travel principles through thoughtful planning and collaboration.
From a broader perspective, this piece positions sustainable travel not just as an individual ethical imperative but as a collective scientific responsibility. The global research ecosystem depends heavily on international collaboration, and continuing these ties with reduced environmental costs is essential for future generations. The pediatric researcher’s experience confronts the paradox of pursuing advancements in health and wellbeing while contributing to climate-related threats and proposes a pathway to resolve this tension.
The article further explores policy implications and future research directions, highlighting the need for comprehensive emissions tracking in academia. Developing standardized metrics and reporting frameworks will enable better understanding and accountability of travel-related footprints. The Vienna congress trip serves as an empirical baseline that can inform institutional strategies, technological innovation, and behavioral change in academic travel practices moving forward.
This account also contributes to a growing discourse on sustainability across disciplines, illustrating how even specialized fields like pediatric research are engaging deeply with climate concerns. It serves as a model for other scientific communities to critically assess their travel habits and champion green innovations. The pediatric researcher’s honest reflection adds authenticity and urgency to the dialogue, inspiring readers to rethink the environmental costs embedded in everyday academic routines.
In conclusion, the journey to and from the EAPS Congress Vienna, as chronicled by this pediatric researcher, underscores a pivotal moment for the scientific community confronting climate change. Their sustainable travel experience embodies a forward-looking vision wherein environmental stewardship and scientific excellence coexist harmoniously. This narrative not only informs policy and practice but also resonates as a call to action for researchers worldwide to rethink how they move, connect, and contribute in an era demanding urgent climate accountability.
Subject of Research: Sustainable travel practices within academic conference attendance, with a focus on pediatric research.
Article Title: Traveling sustainably to and from the EAPS Congress Vienna—a pediatric researcher’s experience.
Article References:
Herrmann, ML., Hayden, M., Been, J.V. et al. Traveling sustainably to and from the EAPS Congress Vienna— a pediatric researcher’s experience. Pediatr Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04231-6
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04231-6
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