George Washington University
OP-T2-1: Air Travel Emissions

The university relies on air travel to fulfill its mission as an institution committed to innovation, research and leadership. The university uses air travel for a variety of purposes including global research, outreach to alumni and donors, recruiting activities and athletic team events. Because of the importance of air travel to conducting university business, GW is unlikely to directly decrease emissions in this category in the short term. Instead, GW will focus first on gaining a better understanding of its air travel patterns by improving its data collection and analysis regarding air travel uses. Recently, through its online purchasing program (iBuy), GW staff and faculty are now able to purchase air travel through an integrated online interface that allows better tracking of dollars spent and miles traveled via air. GW has identified potential policy changes and/or technology improvements (e.g., expansion of video conferencing capabilities) to help reduce air travel in the long term without adversely impacting the university’s ability to achieve its goals. The university is also considering options to help reduce remaining emissions from its air travel activities through the purchase of credible, local offsets. GW has committed through the Ecosystems Enhancement Strategy to reduce its impact by using non-stop flights when available and encouraging the use of rail for travel within 250-300 miles when possible.