Sustainable Travel

Travel Options

Good - Nonstop Flight

Opt for a direct flight or reduce the number of connections needed to reach your destination. A large portion of a plane's carbon emissions come from takeoffs and landings, so choosing nonstop flights can have a significant impact.
Better - Train, Bus, or Carpool

If a train or bus is available, using one of these modes of transportation instead of flying will greatly decrease your footprint. If none of these options exist and you have colleagues who are also traveling, carpooling is also a significantly lower-carbon method of travel.
Best - Virtual Option

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many conferences and events have begun offering a virtual option. While video-conferencing still carries a digital carbon footprint, it is significantly lower when compared to emissions associated with travel.

Opt for a direct flight or reduce the number of connections needed to reach your destination. A large portion of a plane's carbon emissions come from takeoffs and landings, and more fuel is required for trips that include stops, so choosing nonstop flights can have a big impact.
Choosing your seat wisely can make a difference. Business and first class seats can produce 66% and 75% more emissions (respectively) due to their space requirements, so opting for economy class helps save money and reduce carbon emissions.
Heavy luggage requires more energy to transport, so try to pack as light as you can. Packing light is more sustainable and can also save you time waiting at baggage claim, stress about losing your bags, and money in luggage fees.
On average, night flights have about twice the carbon impacts as flights occurring during daylight hours. Contrails (clouds produced by aircraft exhaust) trap heat, enhancing the greenhouse effect. During the day, the warming effect is not as pronounced because contrails reflect sunlight back into space, keeping the planet cool. Flying during daylight hours can help reduce demand for more impactful nighttime flights.

Consider walking, biking, or using public transportation once at your destination to get around and see the sights. If you must rent a car, prioritizing an electric or hybrid vehicle will help reduce your carbon footprint.

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