Sustainability and Study Abroad Initiatives
Sustainability Abroad Working Group
We have established a formal Sustainability Working Group which is comprised of members from International Programs and Off-Campus Study (staff from Vermont and abroad), Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, and a student Sustainability Solutions Lab intern.
Assessing and Improving our Sustainability Performance
Middlebury recently worked with Bound International to conduct a sustainability assessment of our study abroad programs and to create a sustainability plan for the future. Bound International produced our final assessment report in 2024 and awarded Middlebury a Certificate of Achievement. This project also included developing resources and programming for sustainability in study abroad.
Global Partnerships for Sustainability
Middlebury College’s (MC) Global Partnerships for Sustainability (GPS) creates opportunities for students to leave a sustainability legacy to the countries where they study. GPS is developing long-term partnerships between Middlebury’s Schools Abroad and in-country organizations working on sustainability-related issues. GPS creates opportunities for successive cohorts of students to advance the work of partner organizations and their sustainability agendas. Through involvement in GPS students gain significantly greater understanding and proficiency in the language and culture and contribute to a more sustainable future for their host country. The GPS is a collaborative effort between Middlebury’s C.V. Starr Schools Abroad, Environmental Affairs and the Office of Sustainability Integration. Read about Projects in Chile, China, and Japan.
Sustainable Study Abroad Grants
Grants of up to $500 are available to students studying abroad through Middlebury College. Undergraduates studying at the Middlebury C.V. Starr Schools Abroad, as well as Middlebury students studying abroad on approved externally sponsored programs, are eligible for these grants.
Grants may be used for research projects or participation in events or projects related to sustainability issues; this may include projects or research that look at ways of reducing the human impact on the environment, enhancing social well-being, or economic development that addresses the environment and/or social well-being.
Click here for more information and an application.
Climate Action Network for International Educators - CANIE
CANIE is a grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need for our sector to step up and act on climate. CANIE created the CANIE Accord, which is designed to strengthen and accelerate the sector’s commitment to climate action. Middlebury became a CANIE Accord Signatory in 2024, in order to signal to our students, partners, and other stakeholders that we are serious about taking urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that we are a part of a global network of international educators working toward this goal.
Carbon offsets
When you study abroad your air travel produces a tremendous quantity of greenhouse gases, contributing greatly to climate warming. In 2006-07, Middlebury led the way in the field of education abroad by creating one of the first organized study abroad carbon offset programs. Through this program, Middlebury worked with Native Energy, a Vermont carbon offsets company, to facilitate the purchase of carbon offsets for study abroad travel. These offsets supported many of Native Energy’s projects, such as renewable energy at schools, methane digesters on family farms, household water filters in rural Kenya and even the first large scale Native American-owned wind turbine in the U.S. Students are encouraged to purchase carbon offsets independently through Native Energy or another carbon offset provider (more information and research on carbon offset providers can be found here).
Green Passport
Middlebury was a founding member of Green Passport, which aimed to provide resources, encouragement, and support to students and other travelers who are interested in participating in education abroad in a sustainable way. The guiding principle of GP was the Pledge, whereby students could state their intention to minimize their impact on the environment while engaging respectfully towards the local culture(s) and community of their host countries.