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Sustainable mobility on EC2U campuses
- Sustainable mobility on EC2U campuses
Sustainable travel encourages responsible mobility choices that minimise environmental impact while maximising cultural and personal growth. It is about discovering new destinations in ways that respect the planet, choosing greener options, reducing your carbon footprint, and supporting communities along the way.
Find below all the resources and recommendations you need to travel sustainably within the EC2U Alliance. Wherever your EC2U journey takes you, explore how each university supports greener mobility and helps you make a positive difference for our shared future.
Your guide to sustainable travel across EC2U cities
- Plan ahead: compare travel options and carbon footprints for trains, buses, and flights. Choose the eco-friendliest route for your distance.
- Pack light: a lighter load means less fuel consumed, especially when flying.
- Offset when necessary: prefer direct flights that reduce the emissions associated with additional take-offs and landings.
- Avoid domestic flights: whenever possible, use greener alternatives like trains or buses for domestic travel, particularly for routes such as Madrid-Barcelona, Paris-Poitiers, or Iasi-Bucharest.
- Offset emissions: is flying is unavoidable, consider carbon offset programmes to neutralise your impact.
- Explore your destination: download the EC2U App, “My Mobile Tutor” to discover everything you need to know about your university and city, from useful information and key services to local events and must-see places.
- Walk and discover: explore your new city on foot and soak up the local atmosphere.
- Public transport pro: most cities offer efficient public transport. Maps and schedules are readily available online.
- Join the saring economy: use bike-sharing or car-sharing services for a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around.
Want to discover inspiring green travel stories? Follow the Green Travel Ambassadors who promote sustainable student exchanges at the University of Turku, and explore how Umeå University prioritizes sustainability through its Green Book initiative.
- University of Coimbra: Sustainable Development, contact: gds@uc.pt
- University of Iasi: International Relations Office, contact: rusu.mihaela@uaic.ro,
- University of Jena: Green Office
- JKU Linz: Sustainability at JKU Linz
- University of Pavia: OSA portal, dedicated to environmental and social sustainability initiatives
- University of Poitiers: developing eco-campuses
- University of Salamanca: Oficina Verde
- University of Turku: Sustainability and responsibility at the University of Turku
- Umeå University: Climate and sustainability, contact: erasmusstipendium@umu.se
What is greener and sustainable mobility?
Understand your carbon footprint
Greenhouse gases are one of the primary contributors to global warming, which in turn leads to extreme weather conditions. When you travel, you leave a “track”: each trip casts a shadow, which is your carbon footprint. This represents the greenhouse gases released during your journey. Flights, especially, are significant contributors.
Green and sustainable mobility is essential for a low-carbon future, aligning with the European Commission’s climate neutrality goals for 2050, and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG ) 13 “Climate Action” and SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Reducing emissions in the transport sector is vital, as it remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases.
Reduce your footprint on the road
Travel smarter and lighter:
- Take the train: for medium to long distances, trains are eco-warriors. They offer a scenic, comfortable, and lower-emission alternative to flights. For example: the Interrail Global Pass for Erasmus+ students launched by Eurail allows unlimited train travel for 4 to 6 days during six months.
- Charge up for change: Electric vehicles (EVs) are a greener option, especially when powered by renewable energy. Consider carpooling with friends or using car-sharing services.
- Go multimodal: combine walking, cycling, public transport, and Electric Vehicles for seamless, sustainable journeys.
- Think twice before you fly: for shorter distances, explore trains or buses options. When flights are unavoidable, choose direct flights, as they burn less fuel compared to flights with multiple takeoffs and landings.
Greener vs. Sustainable Mobility: what is the difference?
Both promote eco-friendly travel, but “greener” often refers to specific modes like walking, cycling or Electric vehicles. “Sustainable mobility” takes a broader view, considering the entire travel ecosystem, infrastructure, planning, and user behaviour.
Why choose greener travel?
Greener travel benefits everyone, it is a win win!
- Climate champion: you will be reducing greenhouse gases emissions and helping combat climate change.
- Breathe easy: reduced emissions from cars and planes means better air quality.
- City buzz: reduced congestion means less time stacked in traffic and leads to more enjoyable urban experience.