CONFERENCE
As part of this initiative, Dr. Baumeister will travel 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!
Dr. Stefan Baumeister is a Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at the University of Jyväskylä, School of Business and Economics. Stefan is the Program Director of the international Master’s Degree Programme in Corporate Environmental Management. Stefan is also a member of the Finnish IPCC Working Group.
In the past 4 years Stefan has given 20+ talks on Green Travel at various seminars in Finland, Sweden, Latvia and in several webinars organized by Erasmus+, Swedish Council of Higher Education, Finnish National Agency for Education, Universities UK International, German Rectors’ Conference, Sport Institute of Finland & FORTHEM. He has also organized panel discussions on Green Travel at various occasions.
Stefan has ongoing research on Green Travel with many publications on modal shift and emissions calculations in leading journals of his field. In addition to that, he has also gained wide attention in the Finnish media on Green Travel including newspaper articles as well as TV and radio interviews. Stefan has also acted as an advisory to the Government of Finland in questions of Green Travel.
Stefan is very experienced in Green Travel both in leisure and work traveling. Stefan has done numerous InterRail trips across Europe, a 45-Day railway roundtrip through the entire USA and long-distance train travel in Australia, China and New Zealand.
What is Green Travel?
Green Travel focuses on choosing low-emission transportation instead of flights. A trip is considered "Green" when:
- It avoids air travel entirely (train, bus, ferry, or carpooling are used instead);
- The majority of the trip is done with sustainable transport (if flights are used, they cover less than half the distance);
- At least one direction of a round trip is taken without flying.
Why is the Green Travel Road Show Important?
Academic mobility plays a crucial role in international cooperation, but traditional travel methods, particularly air travel, contribute significantly to CO₂ emissions.
The Green Travel Road Show aims to raise awareness about sustainable travel options for students and staff; encourage more people to choose environmentally friendly transport when studying or working abroad,; collect research data on the challenges and barriers of Green Travel to help shape future policies; provide practical guidance on planning and funding Green Travel, including information about Erasmus+ financial support for sustainable mobility.
Calendar
- University of Latvia: 17-18/3/25
- University of Opole: 20-21/3/25
- University of Sibiu: 24-25/3/25
- University of Mainz: 27-28/3/25
- University of Palermo: 31/3
- University of Valencia: 3-4/4/25
- Université Bourgogne Europe: 7-8/4/25
- University of Agder: 11/4
The event in University of Latvia will include:
Inspiring Open Lecture and Q&A after that (in English)
Hybrid: at the House of Nature (Room 109) on March 17th at 10.30 (EET); meeting link on Teams
Join Dr. Baumeister’s talk on:
- The impact of air travel on the environment and why sustainable alternatives matter;
- Real-world examples of successful Green Travel experiences;
- How students and staff can plan eco-friendly trips while saving costs;
- Insights from Dr. Baumeister’s own 30-day train journey across Europe, visiting 18 countries;
- Information on financial support for Green Travel through Erasmus+.
Round Table with External Stakeholders
Interviews and discussions with UL representatives to identify barriers to Green Travel and potential solutions
Social Media & Travel Blog:
Follow the journey in real-time! Dr. Baumeister will be sharing updates, photos, and travel experiences throughout the tour via:
- Instagram & Facebook – Daily posts with images and short videos.
- Travel Blog – A diary-style blog documenting the entire Green Travel experience.
- LinkedIn Updates – Professional insights and key takeaways from the road show.
Creating Lasting Impact:
The project’s outcomes will extend beyond the road show, including:
- A dedicated FORTHEM Green Travel webpage with practical tips and travel guides.
- A Green Travel promo video for all FORTHEM universities to inspire future students.
- Scientific research publications based on data collected during the tour.
Be Part of the Movement!
This event is open to all students, staff, and sustainability enthusiasts interested in learning how to travel more sustainably while maintaining international mobility. Whether you’re planning an exchange semester, work-related travel, or simply want to make better choices for the planet, this is your chance to gain valuable knowledge and practical skills for your future journeys!
Let’s take action for a greener future—one trip at a time! See more about this activity.
