Carbon-heavy aviation is actively liquidating Reims’ most valuable asset. My move to Reims is defined by this paradox. NEOMA will teach me sustainable commerce so I don’t compromise the local environment. Managing my international year abroad’s carbon footprint is something I’ll take seriously during my time abroad.
My multi-leg rail journey from Newcastle actively implements UN SDG 13. By avoiding aviation, it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions to stop global warming. My journey begins at Newcastle Central Station, where I’ll take the LNER train to London. I will then transfer to the Eurostar at London St Pancras, where I’ll conclude with an SNCF TGV link to Reims from Paris. Mid-transit, my EcoPassenger dashboard will show that this multi-leg rail journey reduced my emissions by 90% compared to flying from Newcastle. This shows that you can have a global education while being ecologically conscious.
During my time in Reims, I will strive to put circular economics into my daily life. Since the Citura tram is powered by renewable energy, my commute to NEOMA will be emission-free, and purchasing a student pass will motivate me to use it more. In my spare time, I would explore what Reims has to offer, such as the Boulingrin Market, which is a local, zero-packaging market. An app I will continue to use is Too Good To Go, which helps me reduce surplus commercial food by selling unsold food at a discount. This structured approach allows me to incorporate responsible consumption into my student lifestyle.
Sustainable travel scales through peer-to-peer osmosis. We should alter the discussions we are currently having rather than creating new student initiatives. I have the ideal opportunity to encourage my peers to reconsider their daily decisions by considering how they will affect the environment during the campus “Impact Now” week. Ditch the high-emission short-haul flight. You can avoid feeling guilty about carbon emissions by entering Germany via low-carbon steel trains. I can demonstrate to my classmates that adopting a zero-waste lifestyle doesn’t require significant adjustments but rather minor daily adjustments by making it a habit to pack waste-free lunches to eat during my breaks and to use the waste-sorting stations (tables de tri). These campus habits are easy to practise and copy, showing how effortless being sustainable is and how accessible it is to all students, fulfilling SDG 4.
The ultimate return on investment is a living planet. It is still possible to enjoy what the world has to offer while being environmentally conscious. I’ll learn more about how to be sustainable both in the UK and abroad during this year abroad, and I’ll make it my goal to make sure that my stay in Reims is sustainable. We must leave Reims exactly as we found it. Beautiful. Sustainable. Uncompromised.
