Sustainability for exchange students

A survey conducted by Eurail among Erasmus Student Network members in 2020 showed that 75% of students chose air travel as their means of transportation to reach their exchange destination, highlighting that factors such as low cost and reduced travel time of air transport are prioritized over environmental impact.

In 2019, 6.1 million students worldwide participated in an exchange program, almost double the number in 2007. Between 2014 and 2020, 1.5 million students completed an exchange within the Erasmus+ program (OECD statistics). The average distance traveled per student is 1,374 kilometers. The estimated impact of these mobilities is approximately 500,000 tons of CO2, and the numbers are steadily increasing.

Aviation contributes to 2.5% of CO2 emissions, but the impact increases when considering emissions not directly related to CO2, such as other gases (NO3, SO2, CO, HC). A 2020 European study determined that non-CO2 emissions contribute twice as much to global warming.

Despite these alarming figures, Europe is the second-largest passenger market (after the United States), with a 35% increase in intra-European routes, also ranking second in emissions.

Worrying, isn’t it?

The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by our daily actions. Globally, the average is currently 4 tonnes per person. To prevent the global temperature from rising by 2°C, it is essential to bring this number below 2 tonnes by 2050. 

There are various calculation methodologies, but to simplify, it is a matter of adding up the emissions that our daily living generates. There are many sites that can help you calculate your carbon footprint. We recommend: 

• https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
• https://co2.myclimate.org/en/calculate_emissions

This site, on the other hand, allows you to compare the impact depending on the means of transport:

• https://www.energie-environnement.ch/maison/transports-et-mobilite/mobility-impact

If you’re reading this section of the website, it’s because you want to contribute: thank you! We hope you’ll find the right proposal for you among these options!

First of all, here are some useful institutional sources:

• Erasmus Goes Green: Higher Education Students’ Handbook to Travel Green
• https://www.greenerasmus.org/
• Green Mobility: decision-making process (document from the National Agency Movetia)
• Long live the train! Arguments in favor of a train ride (document from the National Agency Movetia)

​Train ride, happy ride!

In addition to the official national railway websites, these links provide valuable ideas for organizing your trip:

• www.raileurope.com: a portal for purchasing train tickets
• https://www.thetrainline.com/: an app that allows you to buy train tickets across Europe (and beyond) at the best-guaranteed price. The company's goals include supporting more sustainable global transport.
• https://www.interrail.eu/en: a sustainable way to visit Europe and, why not, to reach your destination.
• www.omio.co.uk: train, bus, and flight tickets
• https://www.omio.com/travel: offers the possibility to compare flight, train, and bus options in terms of travel and cost.
• https://rail.cc/: an independent project that explains how to travel by train, the routes, and where to buy tickets.
• https://www.chronotrains.com/it: This map shows how far you can travel from each European station in less than 8 hours.
• https://www.seat61.com/: a valuable source of information. Most of the routes have been covered by the founder of this site. Originally a private initiative, it quickly became a reference for those who prefer slow travel.
• https://www.energie-environnement.ch/maison/transports-et-mobilite/mobility-impact
• www.sendmybag.com: you can send your luggage in advance, so you can travel light and avoid extra costs.

On the road again… with the bus! 

• https://www.thetrainline.com/ also applies to buses!
• https://global.flixbus.com/

Why not a road trip by car?  

Why not contact other students heading to the same destination and travel together? A road trip also allows you to make a few stops and visit new cities.

• https://www.blablacar.com/ allows you to share travel costs with other travelers.

Accommodations also have their own sustainability index, and many have already introduced useful measures to reduce their impact, such as eliminating plastic, reducing water waste, using natural cleaning products, and improving energy efficiency.

• https://www.bookdifferent.com/en/: an affiliate of booking.com that allows you to check the CO2 emissions of your stay, as well as any sustainability certifications (green label).
• www.airbnb.com
• https://hihostels.com/: promotes sustainable tourism.

We are aware that some destinations cannot be reached using low-impact transportation. We’re not asking you to give up your trip, but we suggest a few small steps to limit the impact:

• Opt for direct flights: takeoffs and landings have a greater impact compared to the time spent at cruising altitude.
• Travel in economy class.
• Consider taking at least part of the journey by train if the destination allows it.
• Try calculating the carbon footprint of your trip: https://co2.myclimate.org/en/calculate_emissions
• Some airlines have a lower impact than others: here is an index: https://www.atmosfair.de/en/air_travel_and_climate/atmosfair_airline_index/
• Smart travel tool: https://www.atmosfair.de/en/green_travel/smart-travel-tool/

Is your friend or partner less sensitive to this issue? Be the one to set a good example! Do you see good practices around you? Follow them and make them your own!

Although travel has the greatest impact, our daily actions and choices also play an important role. We believe it’s essential that exchange students become ambassadors of a lifestyle as sustainable as possible.

From sports activities and exchange student events to exploring the region you’re in, from daily shopping to volunteering, there are countless areas of life where you can make a difference. The document Green Erasmus: Guidelines for Environmental Activities during Mobility offers plenty of ideas and useful tips to make your contribution.

Participating in an exchange means spending several months away from family and friends. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to discover new places and explore the region where you live. Whether you're returning home or taking advantage of your free time to travel, we encourage all exchange students to carefully consider their means of transportation, opting for low-impact solutions whenever possible.