Hybrid or multi-hubs are good future options for conferences to be more sustainable but also more accessible in terms of funds, visa and dependants at home.
See this amazing article from the sea-sig: apertureneuro.org/article/8767...

I think the responsibility lies both at the individual level: more academics should choose the train or select conferences more mindfully of their footprint.
But universities, and particularly conferences, should adapt their systems.

Taking the plane would have cost less money and taken a few hours only. It is a better solution for a lot of people that do not have the time or funds to go on these slower trips. I am very lucky being in Europe with such a good train system and being in a lab that supports this.

I divided the trip over two days, allowing me to also visit Chester on my way to Dublin and see a musical in London on my way back.

My travel to and from Dublin have emitted 72kg of CO2 while a plane trip between the Netherlands and Dublin (and back) emits 500kg of CO2.

Follow more SEA-SIG initiatives on @ohbmenvironment.bsky.social