A framework to promote sustainable air travel in higher education

Purpose The aviation sector faces a pressing need to reduce its environmental impact, prompting Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to address air travel emissions, an often-overlooked component of their carbon footprints. This study aims to describe the procedure undertaken to design and apply a framework developed for analysing the integration of air travel in Brazilian HEIs. Design/methodology/approach A case study was conducted in a Brazilian federal public HEI to examine air travel patterns and the effectiveness of existing policies. The study employed a comprehensive framework that integrates emissions data, financial costs, travel displacement, driving factors and institutional constraints. Findings The study identifies key indicators related to emissions, costs, displacement, driving factors and institutional barriers, revealing insights into institutional air travel patterns. Notably, the analysis highlights an increase in post-pandemic air travel, emphasising the need for policies that promote digital alternatives and reduce the demand for physical presence. Significantly, the study uncovers the substantial role of external collaborators as contributors to air travel emissions Originality/value By providing a holistic and contextualised framework, this study enables Brazilian HEIs to critically evaluate their performance regarding air travel decarbonisation, identify areas for improvement and formulate targeted policies to mitigate their environmental impact. The findings hold substantial implications for stakeholders, including HEI administrators, policymakers and researchers, guiding them in fostering more sustainable air travel practices within the higher education.