StudyNetZero seeks to connect students with universities, business schools, and high schools that are “actively addressing” climate change.
According to those behind the project, the launch comes at a time when prospective students see sustainability practices as increasingly important.
“[Today’s generation is] We are looking for universities that share our values and are actively working towards a sustainable future,” said Sebastian Fernandes, founder of StudyNetZero.
“A threatened future is taking the lead.” [them] We prioritize sustainability in all of our choices, including college.”
The website, which offers search tools, articles and other resources, has the long-term goal of “addressing the climate crisis by leading institutions to lead by example and inspire all future leaders,” Fernandes continued.
StudyNetZero cites surveys from QS and The Princeton Review, which found that 79% of prospective students consider their institution's sustainability practices very or very important and 74% of students say their institution's commitment to the environment will influence their respective decisions. They say it will.
With 2023 recorded as the hottest year on record by the European Union's (EU) Copernicus Climate Change Service, 41% of prospective students were found to have actively researched their university's environmental sustainability strategies or efforts.
However, only 1% of educational institutions worldwide say they are “leading by example” in fighting the climate emergency.
The search tool currently includes 526 institutions that meet the website criteria, StudyNetZero added.
The colleges, universities, businesses, high schools and language schools it features are either already carbon neutral or have “clear and consistent” plans to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
It also aims to encourage greenwash efforts by institutions.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and change agents. We need the whole sector to lead by example,” Fernandes concluded.