Voluntary commitment to refrain from short-haul flights

Travelling by plane is the most climate-damaging option to travel. A flight from Berlin to San Francisco and back leads to CO2 emissions of approx. 6 tons per person. This is more than half of the average annual CO2 emissions caused by every German citizen. According to calculations by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the introduction of harmful gases into high air layers increases the climate impact by a factor of 2-5.

Universities are particularly challenged in this field of action. International cooperation is indispensable for scientific work and is therefore part of the self-image of research-oriented universities. However, the travel associated with this is one of the most important institutional sources of greenhouse gases. By switching to climate-friendly means of transport and using virtual communication, we as researchers, lecturers and members of management and administration can also contribute to reducing or limiting greenhouse gas emissions caused by mobility.  

Motivated by the commitment of pupils, students and scientists to Fridays for Future, we join the initiatives of other universities, including TU Berlin, Humboldt University Berlin and FU Berlin. The basic idea is to voluntarily avoid short-haul flights of up to 1,000 km by signing a declaration of commitment. This ambitious goal was deliberately chosen. It goes without saying that travel times can vary greatly over 1,000 km, depending on the connections on offer. The call from all universities usually means travelling up to 12 hours.

Short-haul flights are particularly easy to replace with much more climate-friendly rail travel.

It is our goal to collect as many as possible 500 voluntary commitments. Sign today and please forward the link to this website to the colleagues in your area!

Source:  FU Berlin

If you would like to sign the self-commitment, please copy the following text and send it to us by e-mail to nachhaltig@uni-tuebingen.de with the relevant details:

I undertake to immediately refrain from short-haul official flights of up to 1,000 km, provided that the distance can be covered by train in less than 12 hours.

I agree that the data I provide here will be electronically processed and stored exclusively for the internal organisation of registrations. I can demand the deletion of my data at any time and without giving reasons.

I agree to the publication of my name and my affiliation for communication purposes.

Further information:

•     Academic title (e.g.: B.A., M.A., Dr., Prof.)
•     Name
•     first name
•     Department / Institute