Minimise academic flying

Academic flying in relation to the SDGs

Academic flying, meaning the travel undertaken by researchers and academics to attend conferences, workshops, fieldwork, and similar activities, is a topic of debate concerning the SDGs. Here are some of the positive and negative effects of academic flying.

Positive effects

• Promoting global collaboration (SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals): Academic flying enables international collaboration and networking. Research collaborations that require physical presence can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that might not occur otherwise. Such collaborations are often crucial in addressing global challenges like climate change, health, and sustainable development.

• Dissemination of knowledge and innovations (SDG 4: Quality education): Participation in international conferences and workshops facilitates the dissemination of new knowledge and research. Academics can learn from each other and spread ideas and innovations across borders, contributing to better education and research quality globally.

• Capacity building in low- and middle-income countries (SDG 10: Reduced inequalities): Academic flying can support capacity building in countries where research resources are limited. By participating in international conferences and fieldwork, researchers from low- and middle-income countries gain access to resources and networks that can strengthen their work and help reduce global inequalities.

Negative effects

• Carbon emissions and climate impact (SDG 13: Climate action): Air travel accounts for a significant portion of the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Academic flying directly contributes to these emissions, counteracting the goal of limiting global warming. This is one of the most evident negative effects.

• Social inequality within academia (SDG 10: Reduced inequalities): Academic flying can exacerbate inequalities within the academic world. Research funding that enables air travel is not evenly distributed, meaning that researchers from less resourceful institutions or countries may be disadvantaged in accessing international networks and opportunities.

• Risk of "academic tourism" (SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production): There is a risk that academic flying may sometimes be used to justify travel that is not strictly necessary, leading to resource waste that contradicts the goal of sustainable consumption and production. Conferences and meetings that could be held virtually result in unnecessary travel and thereby unnecessary emissions.

Summary

Academic flying has both positive and negative effects concerning the SDGs. On the one hand, it can promote global collaboration, the dissemination of knowledge, and capacity building, which are crucial for achieving several of the SDGs. On the other hand, it contributes to increased carbon emissions and climate impact, can exacerbate inequalities, and may lead to unnecessary travel.

To balance these effects, it is important to develop strategies that reduce the need for air travel without compromising the benefits of academic collaboration and knowledge dissemination. This could include increased use of digital meeting platforms, more sustainable travel options, and a more critical assessment of the necessity of travel.