Climate Change and International Education
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with international student mobility are substantial and growing. Our sector generates substantial emissions, primarily through air travel by students, faculty and staff, but also from changes in students' personal consumption (e.g. - energy use, food) while studying abroad, and through recruitment activity that includes printing and transportation.
The benefits of international student mobility are important and help develop the skills, attitudes and connections we need to tackle this complex global problem but we cannot turn a blind eye to its environmental costs. This must be factored into our policy making and how we shape future models of delivery and operations.
Climate change also offers a great opportunity to radically rethink how we operate and to involve students in being part of the solution.
Students increasingly care
Students are increasingly aware of the impact climate change is likely to have on their future. New rankings such as the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings will drive student choice towards institutions that take climate change seriously.
Schoolchildren in Australia and in many countries around the world have gone out on strike to demand greater action: these are the future HE students of a few years’ time.
The benefits of international student mobility are important and help develop the skills, attitudes and connections we need to tackle this complex global problem but we cannot turn a blind eye to its environmental costs. This must be factored into our policy making and how we shape future models of delivery and operations.
Climate change also offers a great opportunity to radically rethink how we operate and to involve students in being part of the solution.
Students increasingly care
Students are increasingly aware of the impact climate change is likely to have on their future. New rankings such as the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings will drive student choice towards institutions that take climate change seriously.
Schoolchildren in Australia and in many countries around the world have gone out on strike to demand greater action: these are the future HE students of a few years’ time.