@article{fdi:010090535,
  title = {{F}light quotas outperform focused mitigation strategies in reducing the carbon footprint of academic travel},
  author = {{B}en-{A}ri, {T}. and {L}efort, {G}. and {M}ariette, {J}. and {A}umont, {O}livier and {J}eanneau, {L}. and {S}anterne, {A}. and {S}piga, {A}. and {R}oche, {P}. {E}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he carbon footprint of academia has become a prominent concern and a burgeoning research area, with a notable focus on greenhouse gas emissions ({GHG}) from research-related travels. {M}itigation strategies often promote alternatives, such as developing virtual communication or adopting sustainable transportation modes for short distances. {W}hile more ambitious strategies involving the transformation of research practices are increasingly discussed, these mitigation solutions are rarely subjected to rigorous quantitative assessments or meaningful comparisons. {T}his study analyzes a unique database of about 130 000 travel segments by car, train and plane in 159 research entities across a wide array of disciplines in {F}rance. {W}e investigate the patterns and associated carbon footprint of these research travels and explore a diversity of mitigation options. {O}ur analysis shows that air travel overwhelmingly outweighs the carbon footprint of research travel, representing more than 96% of {GHG} emissions. {I}ntercontinental flights are infrequent (less than 10% of all plane trips) but dominate {GHG} travel emissions, accounting for over 64% of total emissions. {I}n contrast, domestic and continental flights are the most common but their mitigation potential by modal shift to train is limited (e.g. less than 15% for trips under 1000 km). {S}imilar reductions can be achieved by targeting a small subset of travels, for example by modulating the frequency of conference attendance. {T}he greatest and possibly most robust mitigation potential lies in combining modal shift with moderating air mileage (e.g. reducing travelled distance or number of flights). {S}trategies focusing on electrification or modal shifts for cars, proposed in official guidelines, are found to have negligible impact. {I}n the absence of low-carbon alternatives for long-haul flights, we contend that only comprehensive strategies and policies which include moderating air travel distance or frequency can achieve a robust significant reduction in the {GHG} emissions from academic travel.},
  keywords = {carbon footprint of research ; academic air travel ; mitigation options ; sufficiency ; modal shift ; {FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}nvironmental {R}esearch {L}etters},
  volume = {19},
  numero = {5},
  pages = {054008 [14 p.]},
  ISSN = {1748-9326},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1088/1748-9326/ad30a6},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010090535},
}