Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
findings from the study and other internal discussions led to the launch of the
Tread Lightly campaign in April 2007, which was directed principally at staff
but also to customers. Over 40 staff have agreed to become environmental
champions and there is a small team to drive forward the main tasks associ-
ated with the campaign.
The campaign has three main thrusts:
to cut CO 2 emissions by 25 per cent (this was raised to 35 per cent in
November 2007) by the year 2012
to roll out a ten-point action plan to reduce other environmental impacts
to offset other carbon emissions.
The results to date show considerable progression of the initiative. In 2009,
the company reported that it had achieved a 31 per cent reduction in CO 2
emissions. This is attributable to a number of factors, such as greener sources
of energy for traction, and optional train speed regulation to achieve effi-
ciency. This is verified by a report undertaken by an environmental
consultancy (Paul Watkiss Associates, 2009). The Watkiss report also con-
firmed the results of the comparison between air and rail travel between
London, Avignon, Bourg St Maurice, Brussels, Marne-La-Vallée-Chessy and
Paris. It updated statistical calculations using energy logging train data to pro-
vide an accurate measurement. Two calculations were made. The first used
average supply mix of electricity (as recommended by the UK government) and
the other used supplier mix data (as recommended by the French authorities).
Table 5.2 provides a useful comparison; the average mix data indicates six to
nine times less impact of emissions in relation to air travel to the same desti-
nations, whereas the supplier mix calculation, which is more realistic, gives a
reduced emissions factor of ten.
Table 5.2 Eurostar: Emissions per passenger journey (single trip)
kg of CO 2 per passenger single trip
Route
2006
2007
2008
2010
Average Mix Calculation
London-Paris
6.8
7.0
6.3
6.2
London-Marne La Vallée
6.9
6.8
5.6
5.3
London-Brussels
10.5
10.6
8.4
7.6
London-Avignon
12.9
15.7
8.6
9.2
London-Bourg St Maurice
12.5
11.1
9.3
9.4
Supplier Mix Calculation
London-Paris
4.5
4.6
3.3
3.3
London-Marne La Vallée
4.6
4.5
2.9
2.8
London-Brussels
6.6
6.5
4.1
3.9
London-Avignon
11.1
13.1
6.5
6.8
London-Bourg St Maurice
10.8
9.3
7.0
6.9
Source : adapted from Paul Watkiss Associates, 2009
 
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