Sustainability statement

We know that molecular biosciences can help society combat challenges such as climate change and the adverse impacts of modern life on our environment. Hand in hand with this goal, we are committed to working sustainably to limit our organisation’s impact on the environment.

We’re a small organisation, but with a vibrant community and a powerful impact. We seek to strike the right balance between providing the opportunities for collaboration and connection that are vital for our community to thrive, and limiting the environmental footprint of our core activities. We do this through ensuring our limited resources are used responsibly, by embracing technology and innovation, and by continuously adapting.

Several key actions underpin our sustainability as a Society, these include:

• being a fully remote organisation – we don’t have premises to power and heat, and our employees don’t commute
• the vast majority of our governance and Editorial Board meetings are run online, allowing us to maintain our inclusive, international nature whilst reducing emissions from travel
• requiring those travelling to represent the Society (at meetings, conferences, staff events, etc.) to use public transport wherever possible and practical
• encouraging those travelling to attend our events and training to use public transport, ensuring events are held in accessible locations with good transport connections
• digital publications – our magazine and portfolio of 5 journals are all online first and we only print a limited run of Biochemical Journal for select university libraries
• reducing waste – we only purchase what is needed for our events, and we re-use materials such as banners, lanyards, and badges and all our IT equipment is recycled at the end of its life
• seeking to partner with event venues that have strong in-house sustainability policies

Through our partnership with the Royal Society of Biology, which connects us to likeminded societies across the biosciences and has a strategic focus on climate and nature, we share learning and information on sustainable initiatives so as to encourage sustainability across the sector.