Government travel strategy

In our travel strategy, we have set ourselves ambitious targets to:

• reduce emissions from work travel by 40 per cent (against 2013/14 levels) – a reduction of 1,657 tonnes of carbon dioxide
• reduce the number of flights to London by 20 per cent by 2017 and 50 per cent by 2020 (against 2013/14 levels)
• increase the number of meetings using video or audio technologies by 20 per cent by 2017 and 50 per cent by 2020 (against 2013/14 levels)
• increase the proportion of electric and hybrid vehicles in the Pool Car and Government Car Service fleets by 20 per cent by 2020 against 2013/14 levels

Staff travel

Meeting stakeholders, partners and colleagues is a vital part of how the Government carries out its duties and staff need to travel to do this. Our Travel Strategy encourages all Scottish Government staff to travel using the greenest and most cost-effective method possible, thinking through the options below.

• No travel: staff may not need to travel at all – tele-conferencing and video-conferencing facilities can be used
• Walking: this is the healthiest and cheapest form of transport, with very low carbon emissions - where staff are able to, they are encouraged to walk for journeys up to 2 km
• Cycling: this is a healthy, reliable, flexible and cheap form of transport, with low carbon emissions - where staff are able to, they are encouraged to cycle for journeys up to 5 km
• Public transport: for essential medium to long journeys, rail travel is the best option in terms of carbon emissions, while buses are good for local journeys
• Taxis: taxis may be necessary for some trips. Staff are encouraged to share where possible to reduce costs and carbon
• Private cars: we promote the use of hire cars over employees' own vehicles as there are cost and carbon savings, and reduced health and safety risks, and staff are encouraged to car share where possible
• Air travel: flying should be a last resort option due to the high emissions per journey