Sustainability and climate conscious travel

Travelling to your destination is obviously part and parcel of your study and work away experience, and transport is often the biggest part of your carbon footprint. Short and long haul flights are major contributors to global carbon emissions. 

While avoiding air travel may not be possible for all destinations, if you are travelling within Europe, you could consider taking slower, more eco-friendly options to travel to your host destination – think about trains, coaches or even carpooling. Slow travel also gives you the option to make stops on the way and discover more of the world before reaching your final destination! Consider:

• choosing destinations that are closer to home
• travelling slow if you can, or taking direct flights where possible
• not taking additional flights when abroad.

Once you arrive, experience your host country like a local would and discover hidden gems whilst managing your carbon footprint; opt to stay local and explore your host country by bus or train instead of country-hopping by plane. Try walking, cycling, or using public transport rather than taking a car or taxi. 

Calculate your emissions

Before travel, you can use the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator to calculate the carbon emissions for travel to various destinations.

Calculate your emissions using the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator

​Erasmus+ Interrail pass

Students at UK and EU institutions are permitted to travel within Europe using the Interrail Pass for Erasmus+. You can choose between two versions of the Pass: 4 or 6 travel days to use over six months. 

Full information about costs, eligibility, reservations and more can be found via the website:  

Interrail Pass for Erasmus+  

Go2Rail

Link up with other students travelling to your host destination and travel together.

Go2RAIL – Travel Together

More information

Visit The Man in Seat 61 

View a map of night trains in Europe

Get around town by using active travel where possible. Many universities offer bike schemes, so check to see if your host institution has one! Active travel like walking or cycling promotes good physical and mental health and is great for the environment as well.

If you don't feel confident riding a bike on your own in a new city, look for a local cycling group you can join, and ask if they can recommend any beginner cycling lessons.

In combatting the climate emergency, resource efficiency and waste reduction are more important than ever. Discarding the ‘take-make-dispose’ linear economy is a no brainer – but how do we break the chain? 

• It's easy to support a circular economy by purchasing home goods from charity shops, and donating them at the end of your exchange. Some institutions may even have schemes for exchange students where you can buy items donated by previous exchange students. For items you’d like to purchase new, consider buying from local sellers instead of a big retailer.
• Why not exchange recipes and reduce food waste by batch-cooking with your new flatmates, and consider incorporating a few plant-based meals with locally sourced ingredients?
• When you buy something on your exchange, – be it clothes, homeware, bedding – think: am I intending to pack this in my suitcase home, or throw it away? Try to reduce collecting items you know will ultimately end up in the bin.
• Say no to fast fashion – before purchasing new clothing, check online to learn more about the brand's ethics and sustainability.

Learn about local recycling guidelines so you know how to recycle your waste in your host country. Don’t forget to pack your reusable items like a water bottle, coffee cup and shopping bag to use around campus – you’ll help reduce plastic wastage and avoid extra charges for disposable ones.

Try to learn more about the steps your host country is taking to reduce non-recyclable waste. It could leave you inspired to spark change on your return home, or to pick up new eco-friendly habits!

Enhance your academic profile and understanding of complex global issues by enrolling in a short-term or elective course that focuses on sustainably or social responsibility. Check to see if your host institution has a Sustainability Strategy to learn more about the role of higher education in creating a more sustainable and ethical future.

The Una Europa network offers an online Sustainability course which is open to all students enrolled at a Una Europa partner institution (including the University of Edinburgh).

Una Europa Sustainability course

Each year Butex awards a number of scholarships to undergraduate students studying abroad for a semester or a whole academic year, and students undertaking a summer school programme, overseas work/internship/traineeship placement of varying lengths of time.  This £500 scholarship supports students who plan to study abroad with a focus on sustainability.

Butex Sustainability Abroad Scholarship

Get to know the local culture by getting involved with the community in a volunteering programme. Many universities have a student volunteering service, so check to see if yours has one. 

Think about joining a club or society with a sustainability focus through your host institution's Students' Association. Joining a club or society is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals, make new friends, and make the most of your time abroad.

Let us know your own top tips for including sustainability and social responsibility in your exchange or placement. Whether you took a low-carbon holiday, recreated a traditional meal with local ingredients, got involved with the local community, or something else – we want to hear about it!

Contact the European or International Programmes team to share your experience and the chance to be featured on our blog, social media channels or website.

Contact the European Programmes team

Contact the International Programmes team

The Green Erasmus Portal has lots of information about how to be sustainable before, during and after your exchange or placement.

View the Green Erasmus Portal

Our Sustainable Living in Edinburgh site has lots of ideas to help you make sustainable choices in Edinburgh.

Sustainable Living in Edinburgh guide