2.3 Responsible Choices for International Travel Inherent in university activities, international travel often involves the use of aircraft. Yet the aviation industry has high greenhouse gas emission factors and is growing structurally (with an expected global increase of 3.7% per year). Some of these emissions cannot be avoided, but the urgency of the ecological transition reinforces the need for sober and responsible mobility. In a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, and move towards carbon neutrality by 2050, ULiège has adopted an environmental policy for international travel, which came into force on 1st April 2022. The policy aims to raise awareness among members of the University community, offer them digital alternatives to travel, and limit the use of air travel. 1 This means that flights from Belgian and neighbouring towns to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, the north and centre of France and the south of England are prohibited. 2 To the south of France, central England, Switzerland and Austria . POLICY MEASURES To make virtual participation in scientific events possible, and avoid unnecessary travel, ULiège has set up a network of rooms equipped with state-of-the-art videoconferencing equipment. Where travel is essential, train travel is now compulsory to green destinations (accessible in less than 6 hours1) and strongly recommended for orange destinations (accessible in less than 8 hours2) or to airport hubs accessible in less than 6 hours (for flights with stopovers). This measure is supported by the possibility of travelling first class by train, for both domestic and international journeys. At a time when its institutional policy aims to develop the internationalisation of its activities, the University, aware of the impact of air travel on greenhouse gas emissions, has strategically decided to pursue a policy of responsible international travel at the same time. An analysis of staff travel in recent years shows both a change in the habits of the University community and the effectiveness of the institutional measure. Destinations less than 6 hours by train Destinations less than 8 hours by train Destinations more than 8 hours by train 12 | ACTIVITY REPORT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT ULIÈGE | 2022 – 2023
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