With the growing demand for distance learning, this method of e-learning is becoming increasingly popular. No wonder—distance learning can be a way to save money and time, as well as do something for the environment. One of the most important advantages of online MBA studies at the CEMI Institute is that it allows you to combine your professional and family life with your studies, while achieving a more sustainable form of education compared to full-time or blended learning.
Online MBA programs save the planet
The negative impacts of global change are changing the way we think and make decisions. This also applies to education. Sustainability is a challenge faced by educational institutions around the world. The CEMI Institute has been setting an example in this area since 2011 as a provider of sophisticated MBA programs delivered exclusively online. Online education mitigates the effects of climate change and promotes sustainability. So what are the environmental benefits of studying for an MBA online?
Smaller carbon footprint
The CEMI Institute, the market leader in professional MBA studies in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, has compiled statistics comparing CO2 production in blended learning versus online learning. The statistics focus on the impact attributed to students commuting to school. What is the result?
With the online MBA model, each student saves (i.e., does not produce) an average of 1,302 kg of CO2* during a year of study. With more than 2,000 students who have already studied at the CEMI institute, this adds up to a significant 2,605 tons of CO2 not produced – a weight equivalent to, for example, 520 elephants or 15 Boeing 747 transport aircraft.
By comparison, an average tree absorbs about one ton of CO2 over its 100-year lifespan. This means that more than 2,500 trees would need to be planted to offset this burden (in the case of commuting to school).
However, student transportation is only one of the sources of carbon impact attributed to education. The amount of CO2 saved does not include, for example, savings from student accommodation or classroom operation.
Other environmental benefits of online MBA programs
Energy savings
Large public buildings consume enormous amounts of energy and heat. Although e-learning shifts part of the energy load from physical classrooms to homes, the energy savings are still significant.
Less paper waste
Deforestation is a serious problem worldwide. The paper industry not only consumes extensive natural resources, but also requires a significant amount of energy to produce. Online teaching relies primarily on digital documents and their seminar papers are submitted only in electronic form. This means less paper is used and forests are saved overall.
Another significant benefit of online education is the reduction in plastic waste. With online teaching, there is no need to use disposable plastic food containers or beverage bottles.
Online MBA studies also save money
With online teaching, there is no need to commute to school regularly, which not only reduces students’ carbon footprint, but also reduces traffic congestion and saves on fuel costs.
Fewer miles driven = more money
In its survey, the CEMI Institute calculated that if its students had to commute to blended learning instead of online learning, the average distance traveled per year would be 7,040 km. During a one-year MBA program, they would spend EUR 1.070* at current fuel prices.
In contrast, the cost of commuting for a 100% online MBA program is zero. Online learning not only allows students to stay at home (and save dozens of hours behind the wheel) and learn comfortably using modern e-learning systems, but also save more than EUR 1.042 per year on fuel. Students also avoid traffic jams and overall wear and tear on their vehicles. Do you really need any more reasons to choose an online MBA program?
* Calculation of CO2 savings and fuel costs in the case of combined study
Fuel and CO2 savings are demonstrated on a Škoda Kodiaq L&K 2.0 TSi (140 kW) vehicle with CO2 emissions of 185 g/km and combined fuel consumption of 8.2 l/100 km. The fuel price of EUR 1.85/l was determined based on the average fuel price according to the travel expense tables for 2022. The average commuting distance for one student is 320 km per round trip, which is 7,040 km per year when commuting 22 times a year (i.e., approximately once every 14 days, excluding holidays).
