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Technical University of Munich

Sustainable Travel

International exchange is an important part of the TUM SEED Center. We work with partner universities in the Global South through research, teaching, and living labs. This often requires travel. At the same time, travel causes CO₂ emissions.

We therefore follow a clear principle:

Avoid travel where possible, reduce it where necessary, and offset emissions only as a last resort.

Before your trip, review the steps on this page and consider how you can reduce and, where necessary, offset your travel emissions.

At the same time, participants can help reduce their impact by following these steps:

Avoid before reduce before offset

When planning travel, first consider whether physical presence is necessary. Mobility should follow purpose: some activities can be supported through online exchange, while others, such as fieldwork, collaboration with partners, or building long-term relationships, still require in-person interaction. Where travel is needed, reducing the number of trips is key.

Plan your travel efficiently

If travel is required, combine multiple purposes into a single trip where possible (e.g., research, meetings, and events). Fewer, longer stays are generally more climate-conscious than multiple short visits.

 
 

Choose lower-emission travel where feasible

For many short-haul trips and some medium-haul trips, bus and rail are more climate-friendly than flying. If flying is unavoidable, direct flights and economy class are generally the lower-impact option.

During the stay, local choices also matter

Climate-conscious mobility does not end on arrival. Public transport, cycling, second-hand purchases, regional food, and local environmental engagement can also help reduce environmental impact during a stay.

For more detailed practical guidance, please see the resources listed below:

This guidance is intended to support more environmentally responsible travel decisions. The final choice of transport, accommodation, and offsetting remains with each participant.

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