There is a congress forum and a mail-group called cairocongress_[at]_youngsietar_[dot]_org for participants to discuss issues such as travel and other issues related to the congress.
To sign up for this mail-group please go to http://lists.youngsietar.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/cairocongress (Your request will need to be approved by the congress team).

By plane

Cairo International Airport is one of the largest and fastest growing in the Middle East. For more info check out http://www.cairo-airport.com

Ecological Transport

If you don't live in the region, Cairo is a destination, which is difficult to reach by any other means of transportation than the plane. However, to help you make the best ecological choice that fits your situation, this section will give you information on several transportation means and their sustainability. It will also tell you how you can compensate for your carbon emissions and why it is important.

Ecological choice of transport

The most sustainable way to travel is the train.  The train also offers the advantage that it brings you inside the city and offers some time to do what you have no time to do otherwise such as reading the most recent book by your favourite author. Unfortunately, train connections may not always be available. Think of reserving long in advance.

The bus is another option.  It generates more carbon dioxide than the train but since it is a form of collective transport it is still less of a problem.

If you must choose between flying and driving, the most sustainable option will depend on the distance you have to travel. For example, for a distance of 1000 km, one passenger travelling alone by car will emit about 90 kg of carbon dioxide as opposed to 97 kg if he or she takes a plane.  The plane is particularly carbon emitting when it takes off and when it lands, so beyond a certain distance opting for the plane is a more sustainable choice than opting to drive if you are alone. Of course, if you are several in the car you divide the total number of emissions by the number of passengers.

Compensate for your carbon emissions

If you decide to take either your car or the plane, you can compensate for your carbon emissions by contributing financially to initiatives whose aim is to reduce the greenhouse effect.  Such initiatives can be, for example, replanting trees to re-create tropical forests, or equipping poor peasants with solar energy to reduce the unsustainable exploitation of wood. Moreover compensating for carbon emissions contributes to the public awareness of the urgency of climate change and shows that citizens are ready to take steps to contribute to a more sustainable future.

You can compensate for your carbon emissions at the web site below.  It is very easy, quick and safe. And you'll be surprised it may very well be less costly than you expect. 

To finish an inspiring story…

The animals were living peacefully in the forest when one day a fire broke out. They were all wondering what they could do to put it out. The Colibri decided to take a step and collect water in his trunk to pour it on the fire. The other animals were looking at him in surprise and said: “it's useless, what you are doing? You're too small. You cannot put out the fire with so little water.” The Colibri answered: “I'm playing my part”.

Let’s play our part…

http://www.actioncarbone.org

This site is supported by the ADEME, French Association pour la Défense de l'Environnement et la Maîtrise de l'Energie (Association for Environmental Protection and Sustainable use of Energy).