Green Mobility Guide

Acting now is critical: our planet has suffered damage that is close to irreparable. Our society and economy must take a sustainable path if we want to count on a future in which we thrive. For this, collective and individual actions must be put in place.

The European Green Deal seeks a 90% reduction in these emissions by 2050. Moving to more sustainable transport means putting students first and providing them with more affordable, accessible, healthier and cleaner alternatives. Further, education and training, like all sectors, must take action to respond to the climate emergency, with policy recommendations such as the Council Recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability been put in place by the European Commission.

Ulysseus is our Alliance response to the forthcoming challenges, providing solutions, knowledge, innovation, and research for the European citizen of the future. Therefore, Green issues are key for Ulysseus, since “tackling climate and environmental-related challenges (…) is this generation’s defining task” (European Green Deal). As such, the Alliance commits to contribute to the implementation of the European Green Deal and of other EU policies supporting this overarching strategy.

In line with the EU’s long-term strategy and priorities, the Ulysseus Green Plan for 2021-2023 aims at developing Alliance and project environmental responsibility, thus helping to tackle climate and environment-related challenges.

As part of the Ulysseus Green Plan, this guide presents options for environmentally friendly mobility between and within the Ulysseus’ regions. Existing green initiatives and programmes in our regions are also presented, to help your stay in the Ulysseus community in becoming a sustainable experience. In addition, the views on Ulysseus’ students on the matter can be found in this guide.

Ulysseus European University pays tribute to Ulysses: the hero of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey”, who embarked on a long trip involving many different and exciting activities while searching for something.

Much like the Greek literature hero, the Ulysseus Community is embarking on a thrilling journey through its 6 campus around Europe. However, unlike Ulysses, this multilingual and multicultural trip will take place by rail, shining a light on one of the most sustainable, innovative, and safest transport modes and, in line with the Ulysseus green principles, are a more sustainable alternative to flying.

A roadmap to travel from the South to the North would be designed by Ulysseus, so our students will be able to experience the adventure to visit the 6 campuses using sustainable means of transportation. A special Ulysseus passport or similar document is being planned for those students who participate in the trip to be stamped in each campus. Other incentives are being planned, such as grants to cover expenses related to the extra costs of using alternative transport. This guide will be updated with new advances.

Meanwhile, you can check out Erasmus by Train, a student-led initiative which aims to link the Erasmus & Interrail programmes for a more sustainable and united Europe.In addition, to help you plan this journey, the international journey planner of Deutsche Bahn (the German state-owned railway) is good at finding connections between any two cities in Europe. You can change the duration of transfer (i.e. the minimum amount of time between trains).