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Air Travel - "less for more"

Climate protection is a key area for the University of Basel, which has enshrined sustainability in its Strategy 2022–2030 and its mission statement. Air travel is responsible for just under 50% of the University of Basel’s total greenhouse gas emissions and is therefore a significant target area for the reduction of CO2 emissions.
The “less for more” project adopted by the President’s Board and Senate aims to reduce the University of Basel’s emissions due to air travel without adversely affecting excellence in research and teaching. This project focuses on the development of decentralized reduction measures in order to take into account the different cultures of subject areas in research and teaching.

The University of Basel is committed to sustainability and has already incorporated it into its objectives as an educational and research institution. Given that air travel is responsible for half of all the university’s greenhouse gas emissions, it’s vital that we now use our skills to deliver on our commitments and achieve a discernible reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions.
Prof. Dr. Jens Gaab, Associated Vice President for Diversity and Sustainability
University of Basel greenhouse gas emissions due to air travel, 2017–2020
The flight data for 2017 to 2020 was collected retroactively based on accounting documents. Overview of key findings:
This interactive graphic shows the number of flights and emissions in tonnes of CO2 equivalents (t CO2-eq) as an average value for the years 2017 to 2020. Furthermore, both column charts divide the flights and emissions into three flight distance groups.
Selected figures
Long-haul flights account for about a third of air travel, but are responsible for more than 80% of CO2 emissions.
Reasons: greater distances, higher altitudes and a greater fuel load.
Aim: reduce emissions due to air travel by 30%
The President’s Board has resolved to reduce flight-related greenhouse gas emissions by 30% relative to the 2017–2019 baseline. This reduction in emissions is to be based on an effective reduction in air travel – in other words, it should not include any carbon offset measures. The effectiveness of the measures will be monitored on an annual basis in order to allow adjustments.
In addition, the University of Basel is part of the Swiss Network for Sustainable University Business Travel. Representatives of the largest Swiss universities exchange information in this network with the common goal of reducing emissions from business travel.
Air Travel Survey
In collaboration with the Department of " Cognitive and Decision Sciences" (Prof. R. Mata, Faculty of Psychology), an online survey on travel behavior and measure acceptance was conducted in spring 2021. The main results of the survey (see download box):
- "less for more" was still relatively unknown in spring 2021 (17%), but the 30% reduction goal and the project's approach are strongly supported (77%).
- Potential negative impact of flight reductions: Productivity and quality of research hardly suffer according to respondents, international collaboration and personal reputation are most likely to be perceived as negatively affected
- Acceptance of the various proposed measures is generally high, with two standing out: "Train instead of flight" (70 %) and improving the videoconferencing infrastructure (68 %) receive the most support.
Reduction measures
The reduction of flight-related greenhouse gas emissions is the responsibility of the entire university. In order to take into account the differing requirements of the research and teaching disciplines, a decentralized approach was chosen for the development of reduction measures. The faculties (Business and Economics, Law, Psychology, Theology), departments and university institutes developed their own measures in spring 2021 that take into account the reduction path of the University of Basel. They were supported in this by the Sustainability Office. A selection of measures can be found in the download box. The implementation strategy is complemented by centralized reduction measures to be introduced across the whole university.
Climate fund
A steering tax on flight emissions will be introduced for the President' s Office departments and central administration. The resulting money from the "climate fund" will be made available to the travel fund for young academics to finance sustainable mobility options. The decentralized units can voluntarily participate in the steering tax.
Supporting tools
Content-Table
A short summary of the key facts on air travel.
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Is flying really necessary and what are the alternatives? The Decision Tree Mobility will help you with this decision and resolve other questions.
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This list covers destinations that can be reached in 4, 6, 8 hours or 1.000 km by train from Basel.
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The AV-media set is used for virtual and hybrid events in which people can participate both personally and virtually.
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Travelling to Milano, Paris & Co: By train or by plane? Comparison of travel times and emissions of CO₂. The map was developed by ETH Zurich in cooperation with routerank.com
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This website allows you to compare the emissions of CO2 and airborne pollutants for journeys by plane, car and train.
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Allows you to prioritize journey options according to travel time, price and CO2 emissions.
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With the railtour.ch booking tool you can easily book train and hotel in combination for the desired destination.
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For group tickets, please contact the SBB Group Travel Competence Center:
- Phone: 051 222 33 63
- E-Mail: gruppen.international@sbb.ch
FAQ
Further links
- Academic Air Travel Reduction and Offsetting Projects
- Lee et al. (2020). "The contribution of global aviation to anthropogenic climate forcing for 2000 to 2018."
- Wynes, et al. (2019). "Academic air travel has a limited influence on professional success"
- Policy note from the Junge Akademie on flight reduction (English) (PDF, 378 KB)
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Person
Arne Menn
MSc
Head of Sustainability