Greening OISE Travel
Why Air Travel?
As OISE faculty and staff contemplate a future where air travel is once again possible, many are looking forward to attending and/or organizing conferences around the world. But as we work together towards a ‘just’ recovery from the pandemic, and towards a future based on sustainability, equity, and justice, we ask you to consider the impacts of your travel choices. OISE’s ambitious vision for embedding sustainability and climate action in all aspects of its work includes an action to reduce academic and business-related air travel emissions. While OISE’s scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions (from heating and cooling buildings, for example) are outside of staff and faculty control, scope 3 emissions from air travel can be reduced. Read on to learn more about lowering our collective carbon footprint from OISE’s business-related air travel.
Recommendations for OISE Air Travel
Fly Less
Seek alternative forms of transportation beyond air travel, especially for short trips. Even taking one less flight per year can have a significant impact
Fly Smarter
Some flights are unavoidable. Fly smarter by choosing direct flights rather than flights with multiple layovers, by flying economy, and by choosing an airline committed to sustainable practices
Fly with Carbon Offsets
Offset the carbon emissions from a flight by paying a small fee to help mitigate the impact of your air travel. In Canada, less.ca is highly recommended. Verify with Business Officers for reimbursement eligibility prior to using any research/OISE operating funds for purchasing offsets
Recommendations for Travel to Academic Conferences
Did you know that only 1% of the world’s population is responsible for 50% of global air travel emissions? Conferences play a significant role in our choice to fly.
Online Conferences
Attend conferences online or organize a virtual conference to reduce air travel. Virtual conferences can offer increased capacity, improved accessibility and reduced costs. Many resources are available to support the development of video-conferencing and virtual events at U of T.
Hybrid Conferences
Attend or organize a hybrid conference, which could be in-person for local delegates, and virtual for those from afar.
Carbon Offsets
If air travel to conferences is necessary, consider purchasing carbon offsets to help offset travel and/or to offset the conference’s GHG emissions. Verify with Business Officers for reimbursement eligibility prior to using any research/OISE operating funds for purchasing offsets.
More Information
• Calculate your carbon emissions from air travel and the costs of offsetting them
• Calculate your flight emissions and the resulting climate impacts from your flight
• Learn more about the impacts of air travel
• Discover how different international airlines are ranked based on efficiency
