Cutting your carbon emissions

Transport is a significant - and growing - cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Some businesses, such as those in the transport sector, will be able to cut carbon emissions to a larger extent than others, but there are actions that all businesses can take.

The first step in cutting your emissions is to evaluate the impact of your business travel on the environment. This includes:

• travel to and from meetings and other out-of-office appointments - whether this is by car, plane or train
• journeys that employees make to and from work
• the way your business makes and receives deliveries

You can work out the carbon footprint of your business, including the impact of business travel.

Once you have examined your business travel, the next step is to look at ways to reduce or minimise the impact of these journeys. You might consider encouraging your employees to:

• book several appointments in the same area on the same day
• work from home
• use methods of transport with less environmental impact, such as walking, cycling and trains
• use low-emission vehicles and alternatively powered vehicles
• drive vehicles more efficiently

If you transport goods as part of your business, you should ensure that you do this in the most efficient way.

For further information on reducing the environmental impact of your business travel, see workplace travel planning and zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels.