NFOG Environmental policy
The purpose of this NFOG environmental policy is to prevent and reduce the environmental footprint of NFOG in relation to the work of the organization. The environmental policy is meant to be an internal guideline for NFOG. The policy shall be used for all NFOG activities including NFOG Board, NFOG committees, AOGS, NFOG Courses, NFOG Congresses and activities financed by NFOG Fund. The policy is published on the NFOG website, www.nfog.org.
NFOG Board, committee and AOGS meetings
Traditionally, NFOG board, committees and AOGS have assembled physical meetings within the Nordic countries 2-3 times a year. To diminish CO2/carbon pollution, NFOG encourages the board, committees and AOGS to reduce unnecessary travels. Therefore, NFOG advocates to replace physical meetings by electronically meeting, if possible. Electronically meeting for large groups can be facilitated by using the NFOG (pro) zoom-account.
NFOG recognizes the need for physical meetings within the organization. The aim of the environmental policy is not to reduce NFOG expenses, but to reduce the environmental footprint. Therefore, if travels and physical meetings are reduced, the actual physical meetings that are held can be organized by longer (more days) meeting within the budget.
To reduce CO2/carbon pollution, NFOG shall not arrange meetings outside the Nordic countries of the NFOG. Exceptions for travel/meeting restrictions outside the Nordic countries can be approved by NFOG President in advance. Exceptions are only made for scientific or collaborative reasons. Application for travel/meeting exceptions is sent by e-mail to NFOG President and secretary general.
The physical NFOG/AOGS meetings should only be held in locations that provides minimized transportation and effective logistic for public transportation. Therefore, NFOG/AOGS meetings should only be held in the large cities within the Nordic countries. Consequently, NFOG meetings in Iceland should be minimized to avoid longer transportation, subsequently reducing the environmental footprint.
Methods of Transportation
NFOG advocates the use of trains, metro and buss to NFOG meetings. If possible, train travel should be chosen before air travel. Expenses by using private car is reimbursed only for short distances, if public transport is not possible. The use of taxi during meeting should only be used if board or committee members are sharing the transport.
Accommodation, meeting venues and restaurants.
NFOG board, committees and AOGS should only use hotels, meeting facilities and restaurants with a transparent environmentally friendly and sustainable policy.
NFOG Congresses and courses
NFOG will focus on pollution prevention in planning and organizing courses and congresses. The organizing committees of NFOG will be asked to present a plan to NFOG Board for minimize local carbon emissions during NFOG arrangements. NFOG aims towards arranging CO2 neutral congresses and courses in the future.
