The Climate Emergency: how workplaces need to become an active part of the solution.
With COP26 in Glasgow just around the corner, there has never been a more crucial time for workplaces to take action on climate change.
Scotland is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Currently, domestic transport is responsible for the largest share, accounting for more than 25% of all Scotland’s emissions in 2019.
As workplaces across Scotland are developing their plans for net zero, it is critical that they understand the significance of transport emissions and the role that focusing on more active and sustainable modes of travel can play in reducing their carbon footprint
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has warned that human activity is irreversibly accelerating climate change and collective action must be taken now to ‘avert climate catastrophe’.
Travelknowhow Scotland is urging the public and businesses to rethink the way they travel and adopt more active and sustainable transport options where possible.
This urgent call for action comes as the first major review of the science of climate change since 2013 found that global temperatures will increase 1.5C in the next two decades in all scenarios, but without significant efforts to lower carbon emissions, or if they do not fall at all, then temperatures are on track to increase 4C to 5C.
The majority of carbon emissions contributed by road travel (45.1 per cent) come from passenger vehicles including cars, motorcycles and taxis. These statistics indicate the importance of changing our travel behaviour to play part in a collaborative effort in both minimising the impacts of climate change and increasing resilience to the changes that are here to stay.
A spokesperson at Travelknowhow Scotland commented: “Active travel options need to be first choice for shorter commutes.
By choosing to walk or cycle instead, people can not only reduce their personal carbon footprint, they can benefit in terms of their own health and wellbeing.”
Organisations can play a key role in switching to active travel by encouraging staff to walk or cycle instead of using the car for the shorter journeys. There are a number of ways for organisations to get involved through implementing challenges and initiatives and taking advantage of funding options available.
In turn, through implementing a workplace active travel plan, Scottish organisations are helping to play their part in working towards the ambitious 20% reduction in car kilometres by 2030, set up the Scottish government.
If staff are unable to participate in active travel commutes due to accessibility or distance, Travelknowhow Scotland can also assist in promoting the use of public transport and shared transport options as part of your overall workplace travel plan.
For more information about workplace travel planning and how you can make the necessary changes in your workplace, get in touch with Shona Drummond at Travelknowhow Scotland at shona@travelknowhowscotland.co.uk
You can also find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
