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Flight emissions

Challenge
Accepted

Flying connects us worldwide, but it affects the climate. The ZHAW is taking on the challenge: how do we stay internationally connected while reducing our flight emissions?

In addition to a clear strategy for tackling the problem, we believe that a personal and in-depth examination of the topic is important. How can we achieve the necessary change in attitude, and how can the complex conflicts of interest be reconciled in this challenge?

With the ‘Challenge Accepted’ campaign, we are taking a closer look: we are showing smart alternatives and the experiences of ZHAW employees. And thanks to the fund for sustainable mobility, we are also financially supporting climate-friendly travel at the ZHAW. Apply for funding to cover the additional costs of low-emission travel.

Be part of it! Plan your trips consciously, use virtual meetings or take the train. Every step counts.

Do you accept the challenge?
Apply for travel
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This is our approach

Let’s Talk About It – Air Travel And Climate Protection @ ZHAW

How can we reconcile internationalisation and climate protection? ZHAW employees openly discuss sustainable mobility. Want more? Dive deeper.

Dive Deeper Into Air Travel And Climate Protection @ ZHAW

In this video, ZHAW employees engage in an in-depth discussion of this complex challenge.

Tips, Tricks & Resources

Fly less - use sustainable alternatives

Participate Virtually

Save time, collaborate creatively

Virtual conferences offer a creative and efficient alternative to conventional on-site formats. Avoid unnecessary travel time by participating online.

→ Tools like Miro or FreeMind enable creative collaboration without physical presence.

Reduce the Number of People Traveling

Travel strategically

Consider in advance how many people really need to attend a conference and whether efforts can be combined.

→ The Shape Your Trip travel calculator allows you to estimate travel emissions per person.

Travel by Train

Make train travel the first choice
Traveling by train saves around 75% energy and 95% CO2 emissions. Choose the train as your first option for intra-European travel.

→ Use e.g. Chronotrain to find out how long your train journey in Europe will take.

→ Book train trips easily with services like SimpleTrain.

Combine trips

Travel smart and maximise your impact

 

Plan efficiently to travel less frequently. Combine multiple meetings into one trip to save time, budget, and emissions.

Fly more efficiently, when necessary

Fly Direct

Fewer stops, fewer emissions

Takeoff and landing are the most fuel-intensive phases of a flight. Fewer layovers mean lower emissions. Direct flights save time and reduce stress.

→ FlightConnections helps you find direct flights from your departure location.

Fly Economy

Travel light, protect the climate

 

Economy flights require less space per passenger, resulting in a lower CO2 footprint compared to business class travel.

Extend your stays

Stay longer, experience more
Combine multiple appointments in one trip to build long-term and sustainable connections. Consider extending your trip with a personal vacation to avoid additional flights.

Select efficient aircrafts

Choose efficiency

Many booking platforms display emissions per flight, allowing you to compare airlines and flights to select more sustainable options.

→ Use tools like Google Flights to compare emissions and choose more efficient flights

FAQ

More questions? Let us know!

How does the ZHAW plan to achieve its goal of reducing flight emissions?

Each department is given its own emissions budget – with the clear target of halving emissions caused by air travel by 2030. Nothing is prescribed; instead, the departments are given the responsibility of managing their emissions in a targeted and meaningful way.

What does that mean in practice? It means that trips that are truly essential for research, teaching and collaboration will continue to be possible – but with more awareness of alternatives. Digital meetings are being given serious consideration, train travel options are being explored, and if flying is unavoidable, it is done with a carefully thought-out planning.

This strategy creates space for prioritisation and innovation. It enables academic exchange and international cooperation to continue to thrive.

Does the flight emissions budget also apply to students?

Currently, the emissions budget only covers air travel by ZHAW employees and invited guests on business trips. Students are also encouraged to travel responsibly and consider sustainable alternatives. The ZHAW is working on better tracking student travel in the future – with the aim of creating transparency and working together on more climate-friendly solutions.

What are the ZHAW's principles regarding air travel?

The ZHAW has a clear policy on air travel:

  1. Only fly if you really have to – Is there a viable alternative by train, bus or digital participation? If so, that is the first choice.
  2. Take the direct route – Every stopover means additional emissions.
  3. Fly in Economy Class – This reduces emissions per passenger.
How does the ZHAW support its employees in travelling more responsibly?
We are currently running a pilot project with a fund for sustainable mobility to see how the additional costs of a low-emission trip can be covered. One example of this is when a train journey is more expensive than a flight, or when an additional overnight stay is required for a longer train journey. The ZHAW is also currently looking at further ways in which it can support employees in choosing sustainable travel options
What if flying is the only viable option for my research/work?

ZHAW is aware that some research and work activities require air travel. When flying is the only viable option for research or work, it is about making conscious decisions.

This means: bundling trips strategically, examining hybrid formats and strengthening regional partnerships. If a flight is necessary, then it should have the least possible impact – by taking direct flights, flying economy class and using modern, lower-emission aircraft.

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Kontakt

ZHAW Sustainable
Gertrudstrasse 15
8401 Winterthur
Write to us at:
sustainable@zhaw.ch