Getting There Greener: Rethinking Ground and Sea Transportation in Alumni Travel

In the world of educational travel, few challenges are as persistent—or as pressing—as the emissions tied to transportation. For Stanford Travel/Study, where global exploration is core to the mission, travel often means crossing oceans, navigating rural landscapes, and reaching remote cultural sites. But that hasn’t stopped the program from charting a lower-impact path forward.

In 2025, Travel/Study expanded its climate strategy by establishing new transportation priorities for both land and sea, sharing these goals with trip partners across six continents. The department’s aim is pragmatic but ambitious: cut emissions where change is most feasible now, while laying the groundwork for future advances in flight decarbonization.

On the water, a quieter transformation is underway. Cruises have historically accounted for a significant portion of trip-related emissions—especially when powered by high-emitting fuels like marine gas oil or heavy fuel oil. But beginning in 2022, Stanford worked with cruise partners to gradually shift fuel sources and improve at-sea efficiency.

By 2025, nearly one-third of all cruises operated by Travel/Study had transitioned to alternative fuels such as low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) or ultra-low sulfur fuel oil (ULSFO). Several ships implemented shore power connections to reduce emissions while docked, and others adopted fuel-saving practices such as reduced cruising speeds and anti-idling protocols. “Recent upgrades include electric propulsion systems, shore power connections, and smart routing to reduce fuel use,” explained one cruise partner involved in fleet innovation.

Meanwhile, land-based transportation has grown cleaner and more thoughtful. In the Canadian Arctic, one 2023 expedition used an electric buggy to cross tundra trails in search of polar bears—an early example of regionally appropriate, low-emission design. In cities around the world, programs have leaned into metro transit, walking tours, and compact logistics that cut down on fuel use and reduce congestion.

According to Travel/Study’s 2025 Sustainability Survey:

• Over 60% of trips featured emissions-conscious designs, such as consolidated routes, reduced vehicle idling, or adopted fuel-saving practices
• Over 30% of trips relied on walking or public transportation to reduce local emissions
• Around 25% of trips used electric, hybrid, or high-efficiency vehicles

Several tour operators proactively adopted more sustainable practices after receiving Stanford’s updated guidelines. One group restructured its land itineraries to eliminate short-distance van transfers. Another replaced a domestic flight segment with a high-speed electric rail connection, reducing emissions while maintaining convenience.

While flights remain the dominant contributor to total emissions, particularly on long-haul itineraries, Travel/Study has made measurable progress in lowering the impact of the modes of transport it can influence most directly. Together, these efforts have helped support the program’s broader emissions reductions—part of a larger climate initiative that has cut total emissions by more than 60% since 2019.

“This isn’t about doing less, it’s about choosing differently—curating trips that honor both global learning and global responsibility.” -Elizabeth Player Jones, Director of Travel/Study Program

Whether by land or sea, the future of educational travel may depend on small shifts like these—intentional choices that align the journey itself with the values of intellectual curiosity, environmental stewardship, and global citizenship.