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On the Travel Emissions of Sustainability Science Research

Author

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  • Timothy Waring

    (Sustainable Solutions Initiative, School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA)

  • Mario Teisl

    (Sustainable Solutions Initiative, School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eva Manandhar

    (Sustainable Solutions Initiative, School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mark Anderson

    (Sustainable Solutions Initiative, School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

This paper presents data on carbon emissions generated by travel undertaken for a major sustainability science research effort. Previous research has estimated CO 2 emissions generated by individual scientists, by entire academic institutions, or by international climate conferences. Here, we sought to investigate the size, distribution and factors affecting the carbon emissions of travel for sustainability research in particular. Reported airline and automobile travel of participants in Maine’s Sustainability Solutions Initiative were used to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions attributable to research-related travel over a three-year period. Carbon emissions varied substantially by researcher and by purpose of travel. Travel for the purpose of dissemination created the largest carbon footprint. This result suggests that alternative networking and dissemination models are needed to replace the high carbon costs of annual society meetings. This research adds to literature that questions whether the cultural demands of contemporary academic careers are compatible with climate stabilization. We argue that precise record keeping and routine analysis of travel data are necessary to track and reduce the climate impacts of sustainability research. We summarize the barriers to behavioral change at individual and organizational levels and conclude with suggestions for reducing climate impacts of travel undertaken for sustainability research.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Waring & Mario Teisl & Eva Manandhar & Mark Anderson, 2014. "On the Travel Emissions of Sustainability Science Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(5), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:5:p:2718-2735:d:35874
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gowdy, John M., 2008. "Behavioral economics and climate change policy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 68(3-4), pages 632-644, December.
    2. Axel Michaelowa & David Lehmkuhl, 2004. "Greenhouse gas emissions caused by the international climate negotiations," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(3), pages 337-340, September.
    3. Scott Barrett, 2008. "The Incredible Economics of Geoengineering," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 39(1), pages 45-54, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aksel Biørn-Hansen & Daniel Pargman & Elina Eriksson & Mario Romero & Jarmo Laaksolahti & Markus Robért, 2021. "Exploring the Problem Space of CO 2 Emission Reductions from Academic Flying," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Clare Shelley-Egan, 2020. "Testing the Obligations of Presence in Academia in the COVID-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-10, August.
    3. Veronica Ahonen & Mika Siljander & Petri Pellikka & Tino Johansson & Mikko Rask, 2021. "The Sustainability of Academic Air Mobility in Finnish Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Maria La Gennusa & Patrizia Ferrante & Barbara Lo Casto & Gianfranco Rizzo, 2015. "An Integrated Environmental Indicator for Urban Transportation Systems: Description and Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-19, October.

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