A takeoff for climate change mitigation – how to stay grounded? : A case study of Linköping University’s air travel carbon footprint reduction goal

The point of departure for this thesis is a case study of Linköping University and its goal to reduce air travel carbon emissions by 30% by 2024 compared to the year 2019 level. The aim of this study is to identify aspects that influence current academic work-related travel behaviour within the “Three spheres of transformation” to explore how changes on different levels would support or hinder the implementation of the air travel carbon emission reduction goal. As human activities have been distinctly linked to climate change, it can be justified to address human behaviour concerning climate change mitigation mechanisms. To fulfil the research aim, interviews with Linköping University’s employees were conducted and the results were analysed by applying the “Three spheres of transformation” framework and the main findings from the human behaviour field. Several aspects that affect travel behaviour were identified in all three spheres of transformation that are interconnected. This study concludes that such aspects as increased data availability concerning each employee’s air travel carbon footprint to increase the understanding of the current situation and the shift in academic structures, especially in such aspects as internationalization and academic networking that can determine researcher evaluation criteria, can support the implementation of the goal. In addition to that, the shift in paradigms regarding academic success and travel in general, as well as the understanding of how these drivers affect human behaviour, can significantly support the implementation of the University’s goal and ensure a long-term change