Sustainability and the environment are top priorities for the Erasmus+ scheme and students (as well as education providers) are tasked with being as eco-conscious as possible. There are so many positive things that students can do, from choosing low-emission flights to reduce carbon footprint to changing their travel mode entirely and selecting trains and coaches. Of course, there’s the everyday, such as using reusable water bottles, reducing paper by avoiding unnecessary printing, purchasing energy-saving lightbulbs and buying locally-sourced produce. Even staying in hostels that are marked as green – with the correct certification. Some students may wish to travel to an environmentally-conscious country, which is why we’ve put together an article to list the most eco-friendly European destinations for Erasmus+ students. Read on and perhaps you might find the perfect location for your international work or study placement!
1. Amsterdam in the NetherlandsThis is probably the most eco-friendly city of all! Residents prefer to take a bicycle than use public transport – and the roads are geared up for cyclists meaning that there is less pollution from cars, buses and motorbikes. The government has invested money into their transport system by introducing electric bikes and electric scooters that the public can pick up on the streets and drop off at special points.
Furthermore, there are lots of green spaces and eco-friendly buildings as well as sustainable hotels/hostels and more with green certification. These buildings make energy efficiency a priority. Plus there’s a full recycling process with lots of bins on the streets to reduce rubbish and to ensure that items are correctly recycled and reused in future in another form.
2. Finland
The whole of Finland is a hub of environmentally-conscious people! The country is committed to using renewable energy and utilises hydropower, biomass and wind energy. Finland also aims to be carbon neutral by 2035, earlier than any other country in the world! In Finland, there’s lots of natural landscapes which has opened the pathway to sustainable forestry. What’s more, its cities are also eco-friendly, for example, the green spaces in Helsinki are protected so there’s no risk of the land being used for building.
In terms of transport, the government has environmentally conscious public transport, and its systems are extremely efficient. This has helped to reduce the pressure on the environment as residents are comfortable taking reliable public transport. There are also many electric vehicles, helping to keep the air clean and reduce the carbon footprint.
Even children are taught about being eco-friendly and it’s a part of the education system to ensure that future generations maintain sustainability. There are public awareness campaigns and initiatives to encourage individuals to be as green as possible.
3. France
France is another shining example of a country that takes sustainability seriously. With its Paris Agreement initiative, France is committed to resisting climate change worldwide and plays an active role in global climate change discussions. Furthermore, France’s farming practices are more organic than ever before, and the country supports its local producers with numerous farmers’ markets and subsidies for those who practice sustainable agriculture. France’s carbon footprint has reduced as a result and the country’s ecosystem has vastly improved.
Cities such as Paris, Lyon and Cannes also place sustainable practices as a top priority and there are numerous initiatives to improve public transport, increase cycling opportunities and reduce air pollution. A good example is Paris’ commitment to car-free days. There are also more green spaces than ever before.
4. Greece
Greece is another environmentally friendly country, and it has a beautiful landscape that is very much protected. It ranks number 29 out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index, and the government has done a lot to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions – the aim is that the reduction will reach 55% by 2030, reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Additionally, the country is very popular for tourists, so the government has taken great strides to make it as eco-friendly as possible. Initiatives such as limiting daily visitors at attractions, keeping beaches clean and conserving wildlife are ongoing. Furthermore, there are numerous environmentally-friendly hotels that are green certified. These hotels have energy-efficient lighting, water saving and recycling.
5. Iceland
Iceland is fully committed to being as eco-friendly as possible. The country uses geothermal and hydroelectric energy sources which means that more than 85% of its energy is met through renewable sources. Its water is also incredibly clean and pure, so its residents don’t need to purchase bottled water. Alongside that, Iceland recycles and has a very strong waste management system, minimising its waste.
There are various laws in Iceland that preserve the natural beauty and wildlife, committed to conservation. Plus, heavy investment in green transport including public transport and electric cars has reduced pollution and carbon emissions thanks to more environmentally-friendly methods of travel available.
Final Words
At TravelEdventures, we actively encourage our students and learners to promote environmentally-friendly activities, and we are advocates for choosing eco-conscious destinations. If you are a coordinator at a school, college or university and you want to find the most sustainable, eco-friendly destinations for your students or learners, get in touch with us and we’ll help you organise your Erasmus+ (and Turing Scheme for British students) trips!