Changing Tracks: Understanding and Guiding Sustainable Student Travel by Chantal Movetia

The Sustainability-Minded Pragmatist

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 07:33:38 UTC

Lucas, 22, Leuven → Barcelona.

Lucas is excited about his upcoming exchange. He would like to make environmentally responsible choices, but when comparing travel options, flying appears cheaper, faster and easier.

Challenge 2 - Financial Concern

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 07:35:16 UTC

Lucas is on a limited budget and worries that sustainable travel will cost more.

How could your institution make green travel financially viable?

Challenge 1 - Planning Stage

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 07:39:56 UTC

Lucas wants to travel sustainably but thinks flying is cheaper and way easier compared to the long journey by train.

How could your institution help him reconsider?

The Uncertain Traveller

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 07:43:53 UTC

Maja, 23, Warsaw → Amsterdam.

Maja is interested in travelling by train but feels overwhelmed by the practicalities of planning an international rail journey.

Challenge 1 - Information Stage

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 07:47:26 UTC

Maja does not know where to find reliable information on sustainable travel routes. There are too many options!

What information channels, tools or services could help?

Challenge 2 - Journey Preparation

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 07:50:04 UTC

She worries about delays, multiple connections and what happens if something goes wrong.

How can your institution help students feel more confident when choosing sustainable travel options?

The Habitual Flyer

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 08:38:36 UTC

Giulia, 21, Rome → Paris

Giulia has travelled by plane all her life. Everyone around her flies, and she has never seriously considered alternative ways of travelling.

Challenge 1 - Peer Influence

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 08:39:26 UTC

Giulia's friends all fly.

How could peer communities, ambassadors or role models encourage more sustainable travel choices?

Challenge 2 - Perception of Travel

chantalsistek1 — 2026-07-17 08:40:18 UTC

"I am flying because I have always done it this way."

How could institutions help students rethink their travel habits and perceptions of mobility?

Loss Aversion

chantalsistek1 — 2026-08-04 06:27:26 UTC

People focus more on immediate costs than on potential benefits. The perceived loss (money, time) outweighs the perceived gain (environmental benefit).

possible initiatives: shift the narrative: focus on acquiring competencies. Reframe travel time as part of the exchange experience ("slow travel").

Nudging

chantalsistek1 — 2026-08-04 06:30:20 UTC

Small changes in how choices are presented can influence behaviour without restricting freedom of choice.

possible initiatives: present green travel grants prominently in mobility communications. Promote the Interrail Pass for Erasmus+.

Choice Overload

chantalsistek1 — 2026-08-04 06:34:32 UTC

Too much complexity discourages action and makes decision-making more difficult.

possibe initiatives: dedicated webpages, travel guides, route-planning resources, checklists and clear communication channels.

Self-efficacy

chantalsistek1 — 2026-08-04 06:35:42 UTC

People are more likely to take action when they feel confident in their ability to complete a task and handle potential difficulties.

possible initiatives: guidelines, FAQs, Go2Rail resources, peer recommendations and practical travel support.

Social Norms

chantalsistek1 — 2026-08-04 06:37:23 UTC

People are influenced by what they perceive others are doing.

possible initatives: testimonials from the SET project, peer stories, Go2Rail experiences and ESN initiatives.

Status Quo Bias

chantalsistek1 — 2026-08-04 06:38:53 UTC

People tend to stick with familiar choices and routines.

possible initatives: storytelling, showcasing alternative travel experiences and positive examples from other students.

Ready, SET, Green Travel – Communication Campaign Report

2026-08-14 08:41:57 UTC

By combining awareness-raising activities with peer-driven storytelling, the campaign was able to communicate sustainable travel not only as environmentally beneficial but also as an enriching and transformative experience for students.

Supporting Green Travelling in Student Mobility – Guidelines for Stakeholders

2026-08-14 08:44:23 UTC

By focusing on key messaging and a visual identity that links slow travel with positive impact and learning outcomes, these guidelines aim to ensure that every stakeholder can communicate with the tone and the scope that resonates with students, making green travel a recognised, accessible, and attractive choice.

Connectivity Reports

2026-08-14 08:46:04 UTC

They summarise comprehensive data on the availability of direct bus and train connections, including overnight services, among top Erasmus+ destinations. The analysis specifically emphasises rail and bus transportation, as these modes are generally considered the most environmentally sustainable.

Green Competencies Interactive Repository

2026-08-14 08:47:29 UTC

Play the digital board game to discover the different and complementary transversal competencies unlocked thanks to green travel!

Sustainable Erasmus Journey Platform

2026-08-14 08:50:24 UTC

A student-oriented resource page about green travel.

Green Mobility - Movetia Toolkit

2026-09-08 08:17:53 UTC

Travelling is an inevitable part of an exchange experience. For exchanges to be sustainable, every mobility or cooperation project should scrutinise its impact on the environment. Here you can find out how to make travelling as sustainable as possible.

SALTO Green Resource Center

2026-09-08 08:19:52 UTC

On this site, you’ll find explanations of ecological transition actions in the Erasmus + program and the European Solidarity Corps, resources and best practices, as well as upcoming events.

FORTHEM Green Travel Road Show

2026-09-08 08:22:46 UTC

As part of this initiative, Dr Baumeister travelled over 15,000 km through 18 countries, visiting each FORTHEM university using only sustainable transport modes to demonstrate that low-carbon travel is possible – even for long distances!

Go2Rail initiative

2026-09-08 08:28:36 UTC

A non-profit, student- and alumni-led tech startup committed to promoting sustainable travel among students across Europe by facilitating the formation of travel groups and peer-support communities through its proprietary grouping technology.

Championing Green Mobility Through the Erasmus+ Programme

president308 — 2026-09-08 16:34:32 UTC

The document is an action-oriented guide for higher education institutions, national agencies, and policymakers

to address systemic barriers and integrate green practices across the exchange lifecycle. Specifically, the document is useful for implementing concrete interventions in two key areas: improving travel conditions, by utilizing enhanced financial grants, promoting tailored Interrail passes, and advocating for stronger cross-border railway infrastructure and building green competencies.

Presentation Changing Tracks

chantalsistek1 — 2026-09-10 09:23:39 UTC