Carbon Smart Travel guide

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We see travel as an essential part of university life. We travel to do business, build networks, conduct research, participate in events, and study. The activities we do when we travel may be linked with positive impacts in our careers and towards reaching ANU strategic goals. However, every flight we take and every trip we make adds to our environmental impact.

For the 2022-23 financial year, greenhouse gases (GHGs) from University travel were the highest single source of emissions of those currently mapped by ANU*. Reducing our emissions is meeting our unique responsibilities as the national university. ANU has a target to reduce University travel emissions by 50% from 2019 levels, by 2025.

It can be challenging to balance our need to undertake meaningful travel and reduce our carbon footprint.

Travel will continue to be essential to some aspects of our work. The fundamental question guiding us is how might we enable our staff to be successful with a lower carbon footprint?

The Carbon Smart Travel guide aims to help you plan how you can reach your goals with a lower carbon footprint.

Click on Steps 1, 2 and 3 below to see a list of actions you can take and things to think about when considering and planning travel with low carbon travel.

*Supply chain emissions have been shown to be the highest source of emissions for most entities (GHG Protocol, n.d.). These will be increasingly mapped by ANU over time.

Download the carbon smart travel guide (PDF, 631 KB)

Quick links

Useful tools

Step 1: Consider the need to travel and what alternatives you have

Food for thought:

Can you do this without travel? When an opportunity presents itself, consider the need for travel.
What is the most efficient way to achieve your goals? What will bring the most value with less impact?
If there is an annual conference you usually attend? Consider alternating attending in person and virtually.
Some disciplines have biennial conferences. Can you plan other business around that time and location if that's the case?
Can you reduce the number of people travelling to one meeting/event by creating opportunities to share knowledge about the event or meeting outcomes?

Actions you can take:

List the travel opportunities you already know of for a given period (e.g. a full calendar or financial year or a project duration).
- You can add opportunities you plan to pursue but can't confirm yet e.g. presenting a paper.
Check if virtual attendance/meeting would be an option for one (or more) of them.
- If it is in a different time zone, discuss flexible work options with your supervisor.
Consider your plan. If you take two long-haul flights or more per year, you are likely in the high emitter group.
- Check the traveller profiles tab in the Travel Emissions Tracker to see more.
Collaborate with local networks. Consider travelling shorter distances to collaborate with regional partners.
Establish a regional hub or node for a larger national or international conference, where it's possible to network with nearby colleagues on common interests and activities.

Step 2: Make transport choices that reduce your travel footprint

Food for thought:

Flying is sometimes the only viable option for visiting major Australian cities and overseas travel.
If you need to fly, you can reduce the impact of your trip by choosing lower emission forms of travel.
A 2021 report found that low-emission flight itineraries can emit 63% less than the same route with high emission options and 22% lower than the average emissions itinerary.
Research from UC Davies found that showing CO2 emissions in flight searches would reduce, rather than increase, costs (Amenta & Sanguinetti 2020).

Actions you can take:

Emissions vary a lot per vehicle type. Low carbon travel options can include rail, coach and single or multi-person vehicles.
See pg 12 of the guide to compare emissions for a return Canberra-Sydney trip by vehicle type.
When flying is the only viable option, choose lower emissions itineraries or routes.
Tip: CTM – the ANU preferred travel management company – provides CO2 emissions data of all flights in their online platform and can sort options as per their emissions. Most online booking platforms do the same. To access the CTM online booking system, contact Shared Services - Travel.
Check the most direct routes, as these will likely have lower emissions overall.
Fly economy. Flying business class produces 3x more CO2 emissions per passenger, and flying first class produces 9x more.

Step 3: Reduce your carbon footprint while travelling

Food for thought:

Be a leader in your area and spread the word on sustainable travel to help your colleagues and peers make considerate choices. When making your own itinerary, lead by example.
In addition to taking lower carbon transport options, consider the environmental impact of the activities you take part in during your trip, the meals you make and the waste you generate.
Be mindful of the culture and heritage of the destination and take time to learn about the local history and culture.

Actions you can take:

Use low carbon travel at your destination:
- Whenever possible, choose active travel.
- When you cannot use active travel, choose public transportation over a private vehicle.
- If you require a private vehicle, consider carpooling.
- If you are renting a private vehicle, choose a low emissions vehicle.
- Help facilitate active and public travel options.
Choose sustainable accommodation
- Research sustainable lodging options in the area. Some hotels and lodgings have certifications for sustainability or positive climate-related actions.
- Enquire about sustainability commitments, strategies or policies.
- Choose accommodation that reduces the need for travel.
Be a conscientious visitor.
Turn off the lights and air conditioning or heating in your room when you leave, consider taking your own toiletries, opt out of daily towel and sheet replacement and unplug unused appliances.
Purchase local goods and services and buy local produce.