Transport plays a large role in our society and getting around easily is seen as being extremely important for our everyday lives. However, 25% of UK CO2 emissions (the main gas contributing to climate change) come from transport.
There are also increasing problems with congestion on our road network, which leads to issues with air quality and noise pollution on busy routes, affects businesses by increasing the number of hours spent by employees in unproductive travel and is extremely inconvenient and unpleasant for all those who spend much of their time sitting in queues. So what can we do?
As an individual
- Avoid using the car for short journeys – walk or cycle instead.
- Walk children to school or get public transport.
- Car share or use public transport when possible.
- Drive to reduce fuel consumption (see the Energy Savings Trust Guide to Eco-driving link below for tips on how to do this).
- Look for smaller, economic cars with low fuel consumption.
- Try to plan journeys to link trips and save mileage.
- Consider buying an LPG or hybrid car.
Businesses/Organisations
- Set up car clubs or encourage staff to car-share (putting up a lift share board is a simple way to kick start this sort of initiative).
- Don’t make unnecessary journeys and plan deliveries to minimise distance travelled.
- Develop a staff travel plan.
- Try video or tele-conferencing rather than driving or flying too often to meetings.
- If your company has enough staff to create demand, consider setting up a “shuttle bus” from the nearest railway/bus station to the workplace at peak commuter times. This cost could be offset by reduced car parking costs.
Useful links
The following links may be useful to individuals and businesses looking for information, help and advice about sustainable transport:
