L&C’s International Travel Becomes More Climate Conscious

The Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) is a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need and opportunity for the sector to take bold climate action.

Lewis & Clark has recently become a signatory to the CANIE Accord, a public commitment to climate action that was developed in consultation with leaders from higher education institutions, media, national governments, corporations, associations, and more.

The CANIE Accord, and accompanying Glasgow Paper, represent the international education sector’s climate ambitions and commitment to align with scientific recommendations and global climate agreements. By becoming a signatory to the CANIE Accord, Lewis & Clark is strengthening and accelerating the international education sector’s collective response to the climate crisis.

Blythe Knott BA ’91, director of the Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs

Photo credit: Nina Johnson“The Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs has long been aware of the impact international travel has on the environment,” says Director Blythe Knott BA ’91. We are committed to minimizing that impact to every degree possible. For example, we’ve recently partnered with an educational provider in Ireland, which prioritizes decarbonizing the environmental impact of their programming. We also closely align our work with Lewis & Clark’s Office of Sustainability.”

As a signatory to the CANIE Accord, Lewis & Clark has committed to a variety of climate-related actions in relation to international travel. For example, Lewis & Clark has agreed to:

• Adjust, or introduce, climate-conscious travel policies to incentivise lower carbon means of travel and reduce emissions-intensive business and academic travel.
• Arrange student travel to ensure lowest emissions.
• Insert climate literacy training modules into student programming.
• Collaborate globally on data collection and surveys relating to climate action in international education.

The Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) is a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need and opportunity for the sector to take bold climate action. Through open-access resources, specialized events, networking, and information sharing, CANIE aims to mobilize the full power of the international education community to address our contribution to the climate crisis.

“We’re very proud to have signed on to the CANIE Accord,” says Knott. “We look forward to using our name and influence as a top institution for study abroad to help guide our field toward a more sustainable future.”

Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs Sustainability