
Fight or Flight
We want Scottish businesses to commit to choosing train over plane for UK trips.
We want Scottish businesses and public sector organisations to commit to choosing train over plane for UK trips.
With the growing climate crisis, making the switch to train travel, especially between Edinburgh/Glasgow and London, is one of the simplest and most effective ways for businesses to cut carbon emissions from travel.
Our recent work has expanded beyond businesses to scrutinise Scotland’s public sector, and we are urging them to follow suit by reducing their reliance on air travel for domestic journeys.
Why travel emissions matter
If businesses and public sector organisations are serious about reducing their climate impact and fulfilling their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments, tackling travel emissions is a critical step.
Despite advancements in renewable energy and energy efficiency, travel – particularly air travel – remains a significant contributor to the carbon footprints of many organisations.
To seriously reduce travel-related emissions, businesses and the public sector must reduce their number of flights.
Offsetting carbon is insufficient, and waiting for new aviation technologies that won’t be widely available until the mid-2030s is far too late. The climate emergency requires action now.
With the experience gained during the pandemic, remote working and choosing rail travel, especially within the UK, have never been more practical.
Our latest report, Fight or Flight, reveals that while some progress has been made, the vast majority of Scottish public sector organisations still lack credible plans to curb climate emissions from flying, the most polluting mode of transport.
Our work: Fight or Flight?
Our Fight or Flight report finds that rail has now overtaken flying for trips between Scotland’s Central Belt and London.
Ten years ago, only 26% of these journeys were made by train; today, this has increased to 52%, thanks to concerted efforts by some of the largest public bodies.

However, much more needs to be done. Only 1 in 5 of the public sector’s top 50 fliers have set targets to reduce emissions from air travel, and just a quarter have policies specifically focused on cutting air travel.
This research, gathered through extensive Freedom of Information requests, examined the travel patterns and policies of over 150 Scottish public bodies, including local authorities, NHS trusts, colleges, universities, and various organisations across sectors like the arts, environment, and social care.
Key findings:
- In the past 10 years, rail has overtaken flying for trips between Edinburgh/Glasgow and London, with only 26% of these journeys made by rail in 2023, compared to 52% by 2023.
- Only 1 in 5 of the top 50 fliers have set targets to reduce air travel emissions – and just a quarter have a corporate policy specifically aimed at reducing air travel.
- Organisations with best practice on climate-friendly travel policies include: Glasgow Caledonian University, City of Edinburgh Council and Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.
Our impact
Businesses
Through the Travel Smart campaign, we’ve highlighted how Scottish and UK businesses compare globally in their efforts to reduce corporate travel emissions:

Two Scottish companies among top 10 in global study on corporate travel and reporting air travel emissions
15 March 2023
Two companies headquartered in Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and Abrdn, feature in the top 10 of 322 businesses ranked by the ‘Travel Smart’ campaign. reviews how companies are performing on…

Too few Scottish businesses pledge to reduce business flying, new corporate ranking finds
10 May 2022
Together with Transport & Environment (T&E), Europe’s leading campaign group for clean mobility, Transform Scotland is today launching the Travel Smart campaign to encourage companies to fly less while achieving…

THINK RAIL FIRST: Changing perceptions of train travel
1 December 2021
In autumn 2021, we worked in partnership with train operator LNER to encourage people to “Think Rail First” and chose train over flying or driving for UK trips.
In partnership with train operator LNER, we’ve encouraged businesses and public sector bodies to “Think Rail First” for UK trips.
We’ve engaged with Scottish politicians, business leaders, and transport authorities to promote the advantages of rail travel, which is often faster, cheaper, and more reliable than flying or driving.
Public sector
For the public sector, our research shows that public bodies have made progress, but more must be done.
For example, organisations such as Glasgow Caledonian University are leading the way by discouraging flights for journeys that can be made by train in six hours or less.

On the other hand, it is disappointing that many others have yet to take meaningful action, despite the Scottish Government declaring a climate emergency five years ago.
What next?
While our research highlights positive examples of progress, too few organisations have set meaningful targets to address emissions from air travel, the most carbon-intensive form of transport.
To address this, we recommend the following:
- Set air travel emissions targets
Organisations should aim to cut air travel emissions by 50% of pre-pandemic levels by 2030, aligning with a 1.5°C pathway.
- Create actionable plans
Businesses and public bodies must develop clear plans to reduce air travel, including specific targets and policies that prioritise rail travel and virtual collaboration.
- Measure and report emissions
Transparent reporting of business travel emissions is essential to track progress.
- Commit to rail for UK trips
Organisations should eliminate flights between the Scottish Central Belt and London, using rail unless absolutely necessary.
We will continue to press the Government, businesses and public bodies to take action on climate and adopt these recommendations to reduce emissions from air travel – the most carbon-intensive mode of transport.