walking & cycling, more trains, fewer planes
Why?
The transport sector alone accounted for 8 billion tonnes CO₂e emissions in 2022, or 14% of all emissions worldwide and 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020 (406 MtCO₂e).
So walk or cycle where you can. This is also good for your health [i].
If you can’t walk or cycle, use public transport (trains, buses, ferries).
If you must, car-share.
Global CO₂ emissions from aviation have quadrupled since the 1960s! [ii] So try to avoid flying.
Read this article for more information.
Route Zero is a great resource which can help you find, compare and take low-carbon (and low cost!) travel.
[i]. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/
[ii]. https://ourworldindata.org/global-aviation-emissions#https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/
Plane travel from London to Glasgow creates 560% more emissions than taking the train
Transport-related emissions can be reduced by buying less (goods are transported, after all), but by travelling more wisely ourselves: online meetings > walk or cycle > mass transport >> flying.
Work from home (so long as power and heating is from 100% renewable sources), where you can, or support that. Buy a bike, or support bike-to-work schemes. Minimise face-to-face meetings which involve travel. Don’t support, or take, internal UK flights - even Scotland is circa 4 hrs by train from London. If continental meetings are held, Eurostar has a very low carbon footprint.
Excellent sources of planning information include;
