Cardiff University’s commitment to sustainability has been further reinforced with the launch of the first phase of a University-wide Travel Plan.
With the overall aim to encourage more sustainable travel and to reduce the University’s carbon footprint the Travel Plan is just the latest step in addressing the institutions’ environmental impact through University-generated traffic.
Over the course of the next 12 months, an action plan will be developed which will further raise awareness of travel choice and impacts, encourage active travel first and use of public transport, and reduce single occupancy car trips. It will also include actions to promote the use where practical of alternatives to air and car transport for business travel, alternative working methods, and include a crucial review of the University’s vehicle fleet.
Launching during the Welsh Assembly Government’s Wales Sustainability Week, an all-Wales event aimed at encouraging individuals, communities and organisations to take action to make Wales more sustainable, as well as celebrate and promote what they are already doing, the Travel Plan has in part been based on the results of the University Travel Survey.*
Professor Ken Woodhouse, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Engagement, said: “With more than 6,000 staff and 26,000 students, sustainable travel has been identified as one of the key ways the University is able to significantly reduce its carbon footprint, and thereby support the city region and Wales in securing a low carbon future.
“The Travel Survey indicated that our staff and students already demonstrate a commitment to more sustainable travel such as walking or cycling and use of public transport. However, there are areas where we can take significant steps to improve. For example, supporting staff to reduce the percentage of single occupancy car journeys, and develop and promote alternative business and working practices which reduce travel. This Travel Plan is designed to do just that.”
To find out more about how the University already promotes active travel, such as cycling, walking and use of public transport visit: www.cardiff.ac.uk/sustainability, and for alternative working methods such as videoconferencing, visit http://www.cf.ac.uk/insrv/aboutus/sustainability/ourinitiatives/sustainableit.html#positive
*A total of 3,161 staff and students completed the Travel Survey in 2008. Breaking down into 1,390(44%) of responses from staff and 1,771 (56%0 of responses from students.
