About DIS

Going greener

Going green

Our journey to sustainable development, and particularly the climate crisis, is the key global challenge of the 21st century.

Going green

Our sustainability journey

We are part of a sector that revolves around travel and thereby generates substantial carbon emissions. This fact makes it particularly critical to be intentional about our sustainability efforts, focusing on the capabilities of DIS as a Scandinavia-based, non-profit study abroad organization, to make the most meaningful impact we can.

Executive Director of DIS, Malene Torp talks about the sustainability pillars of DIS with faculty member Emmanuel Gentil, who teaches courses on sustainability and renewable energy systems.

A strong Scandinavian foothold

Sustainable development, and particularly the climate crisis, is the key global challenge of the 21st century. Tackling the crisis requires acknowledgement of the global equity and fairness dimensions of climate change and fundamentally rethinking energy infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, industrial production – and consumption.

The Nordic region has consistently ranked high on sustainability achievements globally, making it a unique place to learn about transformations for sustainability.

For example, read the Sustainable Development Report 2024

Working towards
a more sustainable future

Sustainability

Reducing our carbon footprint

The vast majority of emissions caused by DIS activities stem from Study Tours and staff travel. We aim to reduce emissions from Study Tours by using less carbon emitting transport when possible, and are committed to compensate for the emissions caused by Study Tours and staff travel through impactful climate investments starting 2025.

Enhancing our carbon handprint: Preparing students for a carbon-constrained world

Our biggest opportunity to positively impact the climate and environment is through the minds and actions of our students.

DIS offers students a strong curriculum on climate, environment, and related topics, and a unique opportunity to experience sustainable infrastructure and lifestyles in Scandinavia. We also want to support students in making sustainable choices outside the classroom, like using a bike for their local commute, embracing a green lifestyle in DIS housing, and finding alternatives to flying for independent travel.

Creating a Carbon Literate Institution

Carbon Literacy is the knowledge and capacity required to create a positive shift in how we live, work, and behave in response to climate change. All DIS staff participate in a one day Carbon Literacy Training to gain the inspiration and dedicated time to identify actions that contribute to our goal of being carbon neutral and to strengthen students’ awareness and skillset for more sustainable lifestyles.

Collaborating with Peers: Accelerate the Field’s Response to the Climate Crisis

In collaboration with peers, DIS was part of the work group to develop guidelines for Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Education Abroad. DIS has also joined the Climate Action Network for International Educators – CANIE, in recognition of the need to strengthen and accelerate the response of our sector to the climate crisis.

Courses taught at DIS featuring
sustainability

  • Anthropology of Food
  • Arctic Geopolitics
  • Arctic Glaciology
  • Biological Conservation and Biodiversity + Lab
  • Biology of Marine Mammals + Lab
  • Climate, Glaciers, and Human Impact
  • Energy Cloud: Engineering Localized, Digitized, Sustainable Networks
  • Engineering Sustainable Environments in Scandinavia
  • Environmental Economics
  • Environmental Philosophy
  • Environmental Policy in Practice
  • Geographic Information Systems: Applied Climate Change Cases
  • Getting There: Transportation in Urban Europe
  • Ice Cores and Ice Ages
  • Integrated Climate Change Planning
  • Polar Biology
  • Politics and Ethics of Food
  • Renewable Energy Systems
  • Statistics
  • Smart and Sustainable Cities
  • Sustainable Business Strategy
  • Sustainable by Design
  • Sustainable Development in Northern Europe
  • Sustainable Food: Production and Consumption
  • Understanding Climate Change
  • Urban Ecology
  • Waste Management Systems in Europe
Anthropology of Food
  • Arctic Ecology
  • Bicycle Urbanism
  • Climate Change and Glaciers
  • Climate Change of Arctic Ecosystems Lab
  • Food, Taste, and Waste
  • Environmental Philosophy
  • Nordic Culinary Culture
  • Sustainable Business Strategy
  • Sustainable Denmark: Solutions and Dilemmas
  • Sustainable Development in Northern Europe
Climate Change of Arctic Ecosystems Lab

Discover how our students embrace sustainable living and slow travel