Transport is a significant - and growing - cause of carbon 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 CO2 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.

The Carbon Trust can help you work out the carbon footprint of your business, including the impact of business travel, and give free advice on cutting carbon emissions.

Carbon Trust: Carbon footprint calculator

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.

Watch our short video: How to manage transport impacts from your business

For further information on reducing the environmental impact of your business travel, see our guidelines:

In Northern Ireland, you can find sustainable transport guidance in: Travel Wise Northern Ireland: Sustainable transport

The Energy Saving Trust has best practice guidance for sustainable transport:

Further information

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