As a student preparing for my international placement, I’ve become more conscious of the environmental footprint associated with global travel. In a time of climate urgency, global mobility must support, not harm our planet. My approach to sustainability aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) (United Nations, 2015).
Air travel is a major source of emissions, so I’ve committed to offsetting my flights by supporting verified reforestation projects. While not perfect, offsetting is a step toward reducing environmental harm (Gössling et al., 2019). I also travel light and avoid short flights by using trains or buses, which generally produce fewer emissions (International Transport Forum, 2018).
Once abroad, I’ll reduce emissions by walking, cycling, and using public transport. These methods lower carbon output and improve cultural immersion (European Environment Agency, 2020). I’ll live in shared housing with energy-efficient appliances and recycling options. I also plan to join local clean-up events and environmental projects in the host community.
My diet also supports sustainability. As a pescatarian, I’ve reduced my carbon footprint. Plant-based diets can lower greenhouse gas emissions substantially (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). I’ll continue to support local, organic, and seasonal markets abroad, promoting responsible consumption.
I also aim to raise awareness through a sustainability blog for international students. It will share eco-travel tips, highlight local green businesses, and promote student-led initiatives. Peer-led efforts have proven to influence behaviour positively (Lehner et al., 2016).
I reduce academic waste by using e-books, note-taking apps, and cloud storage to minimise paper use (UNESCO, 2021). I also plan to work with local student environmental groups to share ideas and volunteer on green initiatives.
To me, sustainability isn’t a checklist, it’s a mindset. It means making thoughtful daily choices in how I travel, eat, study, and interact. Through my placement, I hope to live responsibly, travel consciously, and inspire others to embrace sustainable global experiences.
Reference list:
European Environment Agency. (2020). Sustainable transport: A review of Europe’s progress. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/sustainable-transport-review
Gössling, S., Hanna, P., Higham, J., Cohen, S., & Hopkins, D. (2019). Evaluating the ‘necessity’ of air travel. Journal of Air Transport Management, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2019.101722
International Transport Forum. (2018). Transport CO2 and the Paris Climate Agreement. https://www.itf-oecd.org/transport-co2-paris-climate-agreement
Lehner, M., Mont, O., & Heiskanen, E. (2016). Nudging – A promising tool for sustainable consumption behaviour? Journal of Cleaner Production p166–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.11.086
Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. p987–992. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaq0216
UNESCO. (2021). Education for sustainable development: A roadmap. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000374802
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
