The JVI takes climate change issues seriously. A series of webinars on this topic was launched in 2021 and several courses, for instance on the economics of climate change and on green finance, have become staples of the JVI curriculum. Beyond the sharing of knowledge consistent with its mandate, the JVI has also explored ways to reduce its own carbon footprint.
A first carbon audit of the JVI was conducted in 2022, to identify and quantify the source of its carbon emissions. It covered both 2021, a year of full virtual delivery, and 2019 (then the last year of full in-person delivery), to establish benchmarks comparing a fully virtual year with a fully in-person one. Unsurprisingly, the audit found that travel from participants and lecturers was the main source of carbon emissions in normal times. Given that classroom delivery in Vienna is at the core of the JVI training experience and the overwhelming feedback from participants that this is a superior form of delivery, the JVI has developed and started implementing an action plan focusing on items that could lead to lower emissions without affecting the current business model.
The immediate focus is on:
A new carbon audit will be conducted in 2024, based on 2023 data, to assess the impact of the measures taken so far and adjust the strategy, as needed.