The European Society of Radiology (ESR) has partnered with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) to offer special discounts to delegates who travel to ECR 2025 by train.
ESR and ÖBB will offer congress attendees a 10% discount on international rail journeys, 20% discount on Austrian rail journeys to the congress, and special rates for ÖBB Nightjets. Scheduled for February 26 to March 2, 2025, in Vienna, ECR 2025's theme is "Planet Radiology," and the railway deal is an effort to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing travel for attendees, according to a press release issued on 24 July.
In a letter to colleagues, ECR 2025 President Prof. Andrea Rockall explained that the effects of climate change are now "starker than ever," and the question of sustainability looms large for the medical imaging community.
"Implementing more environmentally friendly practices is a challenge that many radiology departments and industry partners currently face," Rockall wrote. "We hope that next year’s congress will offer an initial blueprint to radiologists, a roadmap on how they can make these changes, taking inspiration from a huge variety of experts, innovations, and ongoing projects that are leading the way towards a more sustainable future in imaging."
ECR 2025 Planet Radiology "is also a call for our community to consider the concept of planetary health," Rockall continued. "Across the world, we see a huge imbalance in society in the delivery of basic healthcare services. This disparity in health equity is one that must be addressed by all healthcare stakeholders, including radiologists.
"At ECR 2025, we will stress the urgency of this global health equity crisis, whilst shining a light on members of the medical imaging community who are working to end it through innovative and inspiring initiatives," she stated, adding the congress will offer scientific and educational sessions in both familiar and fresh formats.
Another developing theme at the congress will be challenges and opportunities in science that are shaping radiology's future. "AI and big data are redefining medical imaging and at an exceptional pace," Rockall said. "Technological advancements have the potential to improve sustainability, global health equity, and patient outcomes in extraordinary ways. As crucial stakeholders in new technology, it is vital that radiologists support innovations in our field to enhance ‘Planet Radiology’ and planet Earth together."
Savings on ECR 2025 travel will be available from September. Learn more about ECR 2025 at myesr.org/congress/.
