Sustainable travel
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is fully aware of its role as an academic institution and its impact on the local area and society. For this reason, it actively promotes sustainability in its three dimensions – environmental, social and economic – integrating it across the board in its research, teaching and operational, logistical and organisational management activities.
Among the various initiatives undertaken, and in line with the best practices adopted by Swiss universities, USI has developed a policy aimed at reducing emissions related to air travel. This policy is based on a national benchmark and reflects the university's commitment to contributing concretely to the ecological transition by promoting more sustainable modes of travel and encouraging environmental responsibility within the academic community.
The flight provisions regulate the use of air travel and public land transport for journeys lasting 8 hours or less, as well as authorisation to fly in classes higher than Economy. Two explanatory maps and a list of destinations that must be reached by train from or to Lugano or Mendrisio are attached to the provisions.
How were the flight regulations defined?
The policy-making process began in 2024 with a benchmarking exercise comparing practices at other Swiss universities. A first draft of the provisions was presented to the Rectorate, the Management Committee, the various faculties, and the administrative staff responsible for travel bookings. Feedback gathered during these meetings enabled the policy to be reassessed and adapted to the specific needs of USI. For example, thanks to this feedback, it was decided to reduce the time limit for train travel to Germany, which currently has an unreliable rail network. The new version of the provisions, drawn up on the basis of the feedback received, underwent a series of consultations in the Rectorate and was approved at the end of September 2025.
Reducing emissions from business travel is intended to be a collaborative process:
We welcome questions, suggestions and ideas on how we can work together to achieve our goal of reducing travel-related emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019. We hope that this travel policy will inspire a sense of collaboration and shared responsibility, helping us to protect the planet's climate. Contact: [email protected]
To answer frequently asked questions, a list of FAQs has been compiled and is available below:
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What percentage of emissions are produced by business travel involving air travel at USI?
Emissions linked to air travel in 2023 accounted for 66.1% of all the University's emissions.
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Do the USI flight regulations require me to take night trains?
No, USI flight regulations require the use of trains for destinations that can be reached within 8 hours, i.e. within the same day. There is no obligation regarding night trains.
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In Germany, trains are often delayed and not very reliable. Has this been taken into consideration?
Yes, the list of destinations that must be reachable by train from or to Lugano or Mendrisio only includes destinations in Germany that can be reached in 6.5 to 7 hours. When the list was drawn up, the limit was reduced by one hour. In addition, the list of mandatory destinations is updated based on construction work or long-term closures of railway sections (e.g. Gotthard Tunnel 2023-2024).
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There are many things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. Why did you choose to reduce air travel?
Currently, emissions from air travel account for the largest share of USI's total emissions, so it is essential to find strategies to limit these emissions, as other Swiss universities have done. However, USI is also working on other projects and strategies to reduce its carbon footprint in other areas such as commuting, energy and resource consumption, natural gas consumption and more general measures towards the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the commitments made by the Swiss Confederation.
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Has the possibility of using emissions offsets, such as those offered by some airlines, been considered?
The possibility of using emissions offsets, such as those offered by some airlines, was considered during the assessment phase, but it was decided to exclude them for the time due to doubts about the effectiveness of the offsetting measures offered by some providers. To be credible, offsetting measures must demonstrate that they have financed the permanent absorption of a certain amount of greenhouse gases or prevented the production of a certain amount of greenhouse gases by promoting, for example, the adoption of cleaner technology. However, recent studies and investigations have highlighted significant critical issues regarding the duration of the commitments made by companies offering these services. USI has therefore chosen, for now, to promote a direct reduction in emissions, leaving the possibility of resorting to offsetting or greenhouse gas absorption once reliable commercial offers are available.
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Has the possibility of using carbon removal projects been considered?
It is a possibility that USI could consider in the long term, but unfortunately, the costs are too high at the moment.
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Train travel costs more than flying, and in the coming years, cuts are expected at the University by the Canton of Ticino, the Confederation and funds such as SNF. How can I cover these costs related to my research project?
We are aware that travelling by train can be more expensive; with this in mind, and to support sustainable travel, the Rectorate has approved an increase in the budget allocated to sustainable travel for 2026. Each faculty is responsible for managing this budget independently; please contact your faculty for further information.