Fewer air travels Air travel connected with work remains at a low level. So far this year, up to and including November, air travel has decreased by 71 percent compared to 2019. At the same time, work is underway to develop a digital tool that will measure all emissions, not just air travel.
6
GUJOURNAL DECEMBER 2021
THE PANDEMIC has provided an unexpected impetus. In the space of two years, there has been an unparalleled reduction in air travel. Except for a few months when the restrictions were eased, air travel has practically been non-existent, says Environmental Coordinator Fredrik Högberg at the GMV, who is secretary of the working group for the Climate Framework at the University of Gothenburg. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a decrease of 73 percent. The decline was almost as big this year, according to the latest statistics from the Egencia travel agency. – I’m surprised that the decline has continued throug-
hout 2021. Even though we have become much more accustomed to digital meetings, the question is whether a pandemic will force long-term behavioural change that will make us choose to refrain from air travel, says Fredrik Högberg. – IF AIR TRAVEL continues to remain at this level, the University of Gothenburg will easily achieve the climate goal of reducing emissions by 25 percent by 2023, compared to 2019. The statistics also show that there has only been a small number of flights between Gothenburg and Stockholm. According to the
