Friday, October 10 2008
WWF-UK and transport planner JMP have joined forces in challenging companies and government agencies to cut one in five business flights within five years and make a big impact on their carbon footprints.
JMP has been commissioned to design and audit the validation process for the One in Five Challenge scheme, the first guidance scheme and award for reducing business flying.
Jonathan Green, an Associate on JMP’s carbon reduction team, said: “Understanding business travel profiles and getting to grips with the carbon impact of travel is an opportunity for business. We will work with WWF-UK to provide One in Five members with information, resources and advice that will help them to understand and control their business flights and to quantify the benefits of flying less.”
JMP will also provide annual reports on participants’ progress.
Businesses can begin working towards the One in Five Challenge from 1 January 2009. The scheme will encourage the greater use of alternatives to flying, be it low carbon transport or the use of videoconferencing. The Government will also be lobbied to lead by example, by cutting its flights and introducing tax incentives for companies purchasing videoconferencing systems.
“Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of emissions in the UK, accounting for 13 per cent of UK climate damage, said Peter Lockley, Head of Transport Policy at WWF-UK.
“We hope to demonstrate to businesses that if they were to cut down on unnecessary flights, they would not only reduce their environmental impact but they could also save themselves time and money.”