Our Commitment
At ICSA 2026, we are committed to sustainability and to reducing the environmental impact of our own event. While in-person scientific conferences are essential for knowledge sharing and fostering collaboration, they also carry a significant ecologic footprint—particularly in terms of long-distance travel, resource consumption to organize and host the event, and waste generation during the conference.
Our vision is to deliver a conference that not only advances software architecture research but also maintains environmental responsibility. Therefore, ICSA 2026 implements tangible, transparent actions to minimize its environmental footprint and raise awareness of sustainability practices within the research community.
ICSA 2026 proudly aligns with the IEEE Computer Society and the Technical Community on Software Engineering (TCSE), reinforcing our long-term dedication to a greener future and a sustainability-aware community.
Our Sustainability Actions
We have designed a series of measures that will be implemented before and during the conference to address sustainability across multiple dimensions:
Waste & Resource Reduction
- Opt-out gift option: Attendees will be given the opportunity to opt-out conference gifts (e.g., conference bags, water bottles) to reduce production and waste.
- Digital-first material: Conference programs and proceedings will be provided in digital format only.
- Sustainable-first catering: All meals will include plant-based options, and efforts will be made to minimize animal-based products.
- Food waste prevention: Participants will be asked to confirm attendance at meals and coffee breaks in advance, to avoid over-ordering.
- Minimal single-use bottles: At VU, water stations are visible and cups provided are glass.
- Minimal printed materials and signage: Only a limited number of physical banners and decorations will be produced.
Reduce Travel Impact
- Our venue, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is centrally located and reachable by metro, tram, and bus. Use Google Maps or the local public transportation app GVB to plan your commute.
- If you want the local experience, rent a bike in Amsterdam and come by bike to the conference venue and explore the city like locals do.
- Amsterdam is well connected to Europe's night-train network. Taking the train could significantly reduce your impact. Check Night-Trains or Travel-Planners.
- A train runs eight times an hour between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol airport, taking you to your destination in just 17 minutes—usually faster and cheaper than by car or taxi.
Sustainability at the Venue: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
As the official venue of ICSA 2026, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) operates in the top 3 most sustainable universities in the Netherlands according to the SustainaBul ranking.
| Area | Sustainable Action |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Some VU buildings have green-blue roofs or roof gardens attracting insects and birds. Nearby is the Zuidas Botanical Garden with a wide variety of plants. |
| Energy | 100% of purchased electricity comes from wind power. VU aims to be fossil-fuel-free by 2035 and uses energy-efficient lighting and stored heating/cooling systems. |
| Water | VU promotes tap water through “Join the Pipe” stations and maintains water-retaining roofs to prevent flooding. |
| Waste | VU commits to Zero Waste by 2030 and separates waste into more than 20 types. |
| Food and drink | VU aims for a plastic-free campus and offers vegetarian food and regional catering products. |
| Transportation | Encourages cycling with parking, charging points, lockers, and showers. Campus is accessible via train, bus, tram, and metro. |
More information about sustainability at VU and the initiatives can be found here: https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/more-about/sustainable
Awareness through Knowledge Drops
In the months leading up to the conference, we will share sustainability tips and challenges via LinkedIn to engage participants and inspire action before arriving in Amsterdam. Afterwards, the posts are shared below.
