Travel and Transport Policy
As a small design and build business operating in the UK with projects spanning Europe and the USA, we are committed to managing our travel and transport needs in a manner that is both efficient and environmentally responsible. Our Travel and Transport Policy outlines our approach to air travel, freight logistics, and the adoption of fully electric vehicles and transport solutions.
As a business, we actively encourage working from home and all of our staff work some or even most of their time at home. The office based staff are only expected to be together in the office a maximum of two days per week to minimise the impact of travel to work.
Air Travel
– Necessity and Justification: Air travel will be considered only when it is essential for business operations and when alternative, lower-impact options (e.g., video conferencing, rail travel) are not feasible. We understand that this has the potential to be our biggest single carbon producer.
– Carbon Offset: We commit to offsetting the carbon emissions generated by our business travel through the United Nations Carbon Offset Platform https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/
– Efficient Travel Planning: We will plan air travel to maximise efficiency. What this means in reality is that a trip to the US, will allow up to seven or eight meetings over a period of ten days or so, to minimise the number of flights taken.
– Preferred Airlines: Where possible, we always choose airlines that have demonstrated a commitment to reducing their environmental impact through the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable practices.
Freight and Logistics
– Optimised Shipping: We will optimise our shipping and logistics to reduce the environmental impact, including consolidating shipments to site to minimise the number of trips and choosing the most efficient routes.
– Sustainable Partners: Through our PQQ process, we prioritise working with freight and logistics partners who have robust environmental policies and practices, including those who use low-emission vehicles and sustainable packaging.
– Eco-Friendly Packaging: We will use and encourage the use of eco-friendly packaging materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or made from sustainable resources. Where possible, these are passed back to the supplier as part of the manufacturer take back scheme.
– Local Sourcing: Whenever possible, we will source materials locally to reduce transportation distances and associated emissions.
Fully Electric Travel and Transport
– Electric Vehicles (EVs): As the existing fleet comes up for renewal, we are committed to integrating fully electric vehicles into our fleet for both personnel transport and logistics. This includes the use of electric cars and vans for daily operations and project-related travel where practicable.
– Charging Infrastructure: We will invest in the necessary infrastructure to support our EVs, including installing EV charging stations at our offices and utilising those available at our construction sites.
– Employee Incentives: We will encourage our employees to use electric vehicles by offering incentives such as salary sacrifice for EVs purchase, discounted access to company charging points, and favourable travel allowances for EV use.
– Public Transport and Carpooling: We will promote the use of public transport and carpooling among our employees to further reduce our carbon footprint. This includes providing information on public transport routes and schedules, and facilitating carpooling arrangements.
– Cycle to Work Scheme: We will encourage our employees to cycle to work or sites they are working on using a bicycle. To do this, we have offered access to the Cycle to Work scheme to the whole team.
Monitoring and Improvement
– Data Collection: We will collect and analyse data on our travel and transport activities to monitor our environmental impact and identify areas for improvement.
– Regular Review: This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains aligned with best practices and technological advancements in sustainable travel and transport.
By adhering to this Travel and Transport Policy, we aim to minimise our environmental footprint, support sustainable practices in our operations, and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.
Johnny Lyle
Director
Last updated 24 July 2024