The international education sector plays a vital role in shaping global citizens, but unfortunately it also contributes significantly to carbon emissions. As sustainability becomes more and more of a priority for businesses worldwide, measuring and reporting carbon footprints in this industry is essential for driving positive change. Let’s explore why this is important and how to track your institution’s environmental impact. 

Why carbon tracking matters 

Carbon tracking allows institutions to understand their environmental impact, set reduction targets, and demonstrate commitment to sustainability. For international schools and universities, this can involve assessing emissions from campus operations, student and staff travel, and digital infrastructure. This also applies to agencies, who can focus on tracking the impact of travel to international conferences and fairs, as well as in-house operations. 

Ways of tracking your institution’s carbon footprint 

Several tools are available for measuring carbon footprint, including STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) which is designed for colleges and universities. These types of tools help quantify emissions from energy consumption, transportation, waste management, and other sources specific to educational settings.

Empowering international education stakeholders

By tracking and reporting carbon emissions, institutions can involve various parties in their sustainability efforts: This means:

• School management can make informed decisions about infrastructure and operations
• Faculty can incorporate carbon tracking into curricula and lead by example
• Students can learn more about sustainability and engage in real-world projects
• Parents and students can choose institutions aligned with their values

Institutions might consider implementing energy-efficient building systems, promoting sustainable transportation options, or developing virtual alternatives to high-emission activities like international student exchanges or field trips.

As the international education industry embraces sustainability, carbon footprint tracking is becoming an essential practice. By adopting appropriate tools and methodologies, institutions can set an example, educating future generations while actively reducing their own environmental impact.

Written by Stephanie Clark