Fight or Flight

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.

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.

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:

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.