Employers should take more responsibility for cutting transport emissions associated with their staff commuting to work, according to a new report.
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Business group the CBI and accountancy firm KPMG say that businesses – as well as Government – must transform how people travel if the UK is to meet its net zero obligation by 2050. They add that the imminent ‘restart’ from the pandemic presents an “unprecedented opportunity” to “reset expectations” about travel to work.
Reducing the number of free car parking spaces at work and providing coupons for staff to use in coffee shops to encourage them to switch from driving a car to riding on a bus or train are among the recommendations for employers. Companies could also introduce more flexible working hours to make it easier for staff to use cheaper off peak public transport services, the report adds, and choose offices or work spaces that are within walkable distance from public transport.
The report, titled ‘Greener Miles’ also encourages employers to offer more electric vehicle charging infrastructure at places of work.
“Decarbonisation of commuting will be vital if the UK is to meet its obligations to reach net zero emissions by 2050,” said the CBI’s chief UK policy director Matthew Fell. “However this will require not only significant public and private investment in infrastructure and technology, but also a shift in business and employee behaviours to match.
“A key change will be for businesses to now take greater responsibility for their employees’ commutes. They should factor these emissions into their net zero strategies and set out tangible steps to help their teams make greener journeys.”
KPMG’s global head of infrastructure Richard Threlfall added that as Covid restrictions start to ease, “employees are reconsidering where they work and how they commute – giving employers a unique window of opportunity to reduce the impact of these journeys on the environment.
“But to bring about real, lasting change in employee behaviour, businesses and Government need to work together and invest in a range of affordable, accessible travel options and new technology to reduce emissions.”
(Photograph: A G Baxter - Shutterstock)
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