Business travel
The Sustainable Travel Policy was agreed in March 2021 and was implemented in January 2022. It sets out how all local, national and international travel taken on behalf of the University should take place.
Sustainable Travel Policy
This policy supports our Climate Conscious Travel approach which looks to reduce our overall travel. Where travel must take place, we will reduce the carbon emissions from these journeys and sequester any remaining carbon through a direct sequestration scheme.
This policy is designed to ensure the safety of our staff and students, reduce our environmental impact and better manage our finances.
By embedding the Sustainable Travel Policy, we are supporting the University’s Strategy 2030. By delivering positive change locally, regionally and globally, we will make the world a better place.
News: Why do we need a Sustainable Travel Policy?
Sustainable Travel Policy (2021)
Climate Conscious Travel
The Climate Conscious Travel project was introduced in 2020 to tackle emissions from business travel outside Edinburgh. Climate conscious travel is defined as:
- being aware of the environmental impacts of travel and choosing a method of travel that reduces these (e.g. by train rather than plane for travel within mainland Britain)
- ensuring unnecessary travel is not undertaken (e.g. sending the minimum number of individuals required to fulfil the purpose of travel)
- choosing not to travel when virtual collaboration tools will adequately fulfil the purpose of travel (e.g. for meetings where a video link would suffice).
Advice is provided to staff on how to be a climate conscious traveller, which includes a travel hierarchy starting with digital communications (and details on video conferencing options), followed by active travel, public transport, car share, car journey alone, taxi and flights.
Staff can also understand emissions generated by their School or Department by using the automated tool developed in 2017.
Business travel data
Use the arrow to scroll through to see cost, distance and number of journeys.
