When I first stepped into the role of Vice Chair at Butex in 2021, I knew sustainability had to become a bigger part of the conversation. Four years later, I’m incredibly proud to say it’s not just a conversation, but a core value of Butex.
Sustainability is now woven into everything we do, from how we run events to how we support students studying abroad. This shift didn’t happen overnight. It took a passionate committee, dedicated colleagues, and strong partnerships with like-minded organisations such as CANIE, the Climate Action Network for International Educators.
Turning words into action
One of our first big steps was embracing CANIE’s Travel with CANIE initiative, which promotes eco-friendly travel to international conferences. We encouraged our committee members to travel green whenever possible, and in 2023, we invited CANIE representatives to present at our Winter Workshop. Their session on the CANIE Accord, a framework designed to accelerate climate action in international education, sparked great discussions and reinforced the importance of embedding sustainability into global mobility.
We’ve also made sure every Butex conference includes sustainability and climate change as key themes. But we didn’t want to stop at just talking about sustainability, we wanted to create opportunities for students to engage with it in meaningful ways.
A scholarship that matters
In 2023, I proposed a fresh new theme for our scholarship programme: sustainability. That idea became the Sustainability Abroad Scholarship (Butex Scholarships).
This scholarship is about more than funding study abroad experiences, but is about shaping the future of sustainable global travel. We challenge students to think critically about how they can minimise their environmental impact while gaining international experience. How can they align their travels with the UN Sustainable Development Goals? What innovative ideas can they bring to the table?
The response has been incredible. In 2024, nine outstanding students were awarded scholarships for their inspiring submissions. And in 2025, we’re increasing the scholarship amount to £600 to further support students dedicated to sustainable global mobility.
Inspiring change across the sector
Beyond scholarships, we wanted to create spaces for real action and collaboration. That’s why in November 2024 I brought together experts for a dedicated session at the Butex Winter Workshop: Inspiring Sustainability Through Global Mobility: Practices, Stories, and Action.
This session wasn’t just about theory – it was about practical steps institutions and individuals can take. Highlights included:
- Philippa Menzel (Secretary of the CANIE Europe Chapter) shared how the CANIE Accord is driving climate-conscious mobility and gave practical advice on integrating sustainability without increasing workload.
- CJ Tremblay (Alethea Global Cooperative) explored the intersection of climate justice and global mobility, inviting attendees to sign up for a Foundations of Climate Justice and Internationalisation course.
- Student sustainability success stories featured inspiring firsthand accounts:
- A Butex Scholarship Finalist on how the Sustainability Abroad Scholarship shaped their approach to sustainable mobility.
- An NTU student who experienced a Turing-funded short mobility program in Mexico and reflected on how the Sustainability in Practice Global Mobility Modules shifted their perspective.
- A CIEE Student Winner who won the Student Sustainability Competition and shared how it influenced their academic and professional path.
- Eduardo Lees introduced the concept of a UK-wide Climate Action Working Group to unite higher education institutions in taking collective climate action.
What’s next?
We’ve come a long way, but there’s still more to do. Sustainability in global mobility isn’t just a trend, but a necessity. At Butex, we’re committed to keeping this momentum going, encouraging best practices, and supporting students in making a real difference.
As I reflect on my time as Vice Chair, I feel incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. This work is about more than policies and initiatives, it’s about shaping the future of international education in a way that respects and protects our planet. And that’s a legacy worth building.
