The education sector itself is the source of environmental advocacy. However, we generally only see large business houses being actively participative in such activities. International education has mostly overlooked sustainability and the climate problem. But every stakeholder of international education must stay aware of the consequences of climate change. Education agents are an important part of the global education industry. A recent survey with 256 Australian institutions reveals much more on that. 49% of the institutions now tie up agents to attract international students. So the impact of the education industry is growing larger. Today let’s discuss more on this topic.
The Impact
It is true that International education causes temporary migration and mobility of people around the world. Most of the mobility is made by air travel. This mode of transport directly emits gases that contribute to the global climate crisis. In 2014, the greenhouse gas emissions produced by student mobility were already equal to those of the whole nations of Croatia and Tunisia. It is much more today than it was in 2014. Thus the impact is much larger on our environment. Besides the travel footprint, the consumption of energy by the entire education industry is also prominent. On average 51% of the university’s footprint comes from energy exploitation.
A study on the carbon footprint of universities worldwide also discusses the impact of papers and physical documents. Papers and related supplies generate 2.6% of the overall university carbon footprint. Issues like using paper and unrecycled supplies, and consumption of non-renewable energy also pertain in all general offices including that of education agents. Due to this even education agents directly participate in the footprint of international education.
Solution
Understanding the impact of the education industry around the globe, agents can collaborate to minimize them. CSR can be one such tool that agents can implement. Incorporating CSR into the business activity of the agency can be better both for the environment and its reputation. It is because most people these days support businesses that are sustainable. A company’s dedication to three aspects—social responsibility, environmental impact, and societal impact—is known as corporate social responsibility. And it can conduct activities under these themes to minimize its environmental impact. Besides implementing a CSR, agents can put protecting the environment as the core element of their values. Solutions don’t have to be expensive there are other ways too.
As an Agent here’s a list of things you can implement to reduce your footprint:
a. Practicing Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle principle
b. Source your energy through renewable sources
c. Create a paperless system to reduce the use of paper
d. Adoption of remote working facilities to reduce emissions made through employees commuting to work
Finally, we can conclude that even an education agent directly contributes to the carbon footprint created by the international education industry. There are a lot of solutions all agents can work toward a more sustainable environment. If you are interested in a CRM that reduces the use of papers in your office, try Agentcis. Its features will help you care for your clients as well as the environment.
