English version

Foreword

The LJK is involved in strong and high-level research activity. This activity requires the exchange of ideas at national and international levels. Participation in conferences and visits abroad are very important, with some key moments in a researcher’s career. However, the high level of greenhouse gas required by this activity is no longer sustainable and must be reduced according the Paris agreements (see IPCC report). The emergency of the need to protect our environment and our society must be understood and taken into account. Once again, see for example, the latest IPCC report (spring 2023).

Business trip have a significant environmental impact, as shown in Inquiets mais pollueurs : une enquête sur le personnel de la recherche française face au changement climatique.

To be able, at the same time, to support this high level research and to take into account the emergency to act for the environment and the society, the LJK wants to propose new solutions for business trips that reduce the environmental impact of our activities.

The measures proposed below can be broken down into several points:

• calculate a provisional greenhouse gas budget as well as the actual balance sheet
• adapt travels to take into account their greenhouse gas cost
• anticipate which travels will be involved when a special event is organized

Below, details regarding the measures put to the vote as well as some flanking measures.

Greenhouse gas budget for each team of the laboratory

• Each team of the LJK will have to prepare an estimated greenhouse gas budget once a year, for the whole team members.

• Each team will have to compile once a year a balance sheet of greenhouse gas due to business trips during the previous year.

Means of transport : advice and recommendations

Before leaving:

• the person who will travel must compare the different available means of transport available.
• the person who will travel must estimate the greenhouse gas of the planned trip beforehand, using the labo1point5 application
• for air travel, each agent will adapt the choice of departure airport and the number of stopovers according to the footprint of each possibility, the aim being to limit the number of connections by air (i.e. the number of take off)

Organising events: a few recommendations

• Everyone commits himself to use videoconferencing as much as possible
• When organising an event, the organising committee should think about “accessible” places. For example, it is better to hold a workshop in Lyon than in Corsica.
• The organisers must estimate beforehand the carbon impact of the event.

Measures put to the vote

• Most of the measures proposed below are already applied in other research laboratories in France.
• Each proposal must be voted on independently of the others.
• The rules voted on will apply to all business trips, whether incoming or outgoing.

Reminder: in France, using train is compulsory for any journey of less than 4 hours for public services agents.

1. Obligation to take the train (or buses) for any journey of less than 6 hours (door-to-door).

2. Obligation to take the train (or buses) for any journey of less than 8 hours (door-to-door).

3. Obligation to take the train (or buses) when the reduction in journey time made possible by the plane is less than 20% of the total journey time.

4. Avoid pre-routing by plane before a flight to the main destination.

5. Limit the number of long-haul aircraft journeys (outside Europe) to one per person per year.

6. Obligation to justify to the LJK director any 2nd long-haul flight during the year.

7. Obligation to stay at least 2 nights on site when travelling by plane.

8. Obligation to stay at least 3 nights on site when travelling by plane.

9. Forbidden to travel by plane within mainland France.

Comparisons between train / plane / car

Thereafter, cost in time and greenhouse gas for trips from Grenoble to the main cities in France and close countries by plane, car and train.

Sources: sncf-connect.com / labo1point5.org

Train vs plane

Trajets type