How can I help the UK reach Net Zero while commuting to work?

Did you know that, according to data from the Confederation of British Industry, transport accounts for roughly a third of all carbon emissions in the UK? Within this, 20% of distances travelled were for commuting. That’s a huge amount of emission getting people to and from work. 

With this in mind, how can we all do our bit to cut our carbon footprint?

Many of us are back in the pre-pandemic routine of commuting to work. If you work onsite, and have to commute, have you considered the most eco-friendly way to travel? While the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned from 2035, there’s bound to still be a lot of these vehicles on the road for the foreseeable future. 

So, how can we travel to work and help reach net zero? Well, it’s no lie that walking or cycling is by far the greenest option. The Government is currently investing a huge £2 billion to improve the UK’s walking and cycling networks. This option would work great for those who live pretty close to their workspace.

If you live too far to walk or cycle, don’t worry! Thankfully, the Government is heavily investing in public transport too. Despite the majority of trains running on diesel, they could still work out more environmentally efficient than driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. If you imagine how many people you can fit on a train compared to a car or a van, you can easily see how public transport can help us decarbonise our commute.

For those of us who need to drive to work, we have a few options! The first, would be to car share if you can. This will have a similar impact on the environment as getting a bus or train. If one, or more, of your colleagues live near you, why not consider sharing the load of driving to work? You could even rotate drivers and vehicles to make sure everyone is sharing the load. 

However, those that don’t will continue to pollute our environment. As a result of these higher emissions, drivers of non-compliant vehicles will face heavy charges throughout the city of London. 

On top of the £12.50 per day ULEZ charge, those commuting to the center of the city could face more fees. The London Congestion Charge operates throughout Central London and could add £15 - £17.50 a day to a commuter's journey. We know that these congestion charges can add up, especially for those who commute to London every day. That’s why we’d suggest driving an electric car or van if you can. 

Pure electric vehicles are exempt from any low-emission zone charges and they’re also far better for the environment as they release zero tailpipe emissions. That’s a win-win!

Since the pandemic, many workplaces have been switching to hybrid working models. This could involve cutting the commute to the office once or twice a week. Instead, you’ll be able to work as you normally would from the comfort of your home.

While the threat of Covid-19 may have died down slightly, there are still plenty of reasons hybrid working is brilliant. One of them being the impact it has on the environment! Why not suggest hybrid working to your employer and discuss the huge benefits it can have? You could also show them how much damage everyday commuting does to our planet!