Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Ten Point Plan (Eurostar, 2009), which seeks to reduce environmen-
tal impact (half-lighting, only ceiling lights rather than window lights, sourcing
energy from less carbon-intensive sources, maximizing passenger numbers to
reduce their individual footprint), has also been rolled out by the company,
but it is too early yet to report impacts. However, the company has changed
its procurement policy to source local produce, fair-trade beverages, etc., for
on-board consumption and has introduced a reduce, reuse and recycle policy
at terminals, depots and offices.
The third strand of the initiative relates to offsetting outstanding carbon
emissions relating to the Eurostar operation. The idea is to reduce emissions
indirectly through some form of market for carbon credits, thus seeking to
make the entire travel journey carbon neutral. Eurostar reports that it has
done this by buying carbon credits (through two verified schemes) in selected
projects across China and India. The offsetting projects are mainly hydro-elec-
tric schemes and wind farms, but also include using waste to power a jute
factory in India and a biomass plant. To date, the company has procured
85,000 carbon credits to offset 85,000 tonnes of CO
2
equivalent (Eurostar,
2009).
There is a substantial critique of offsetting in the tourism literature which
has rendered this dimension of Tread Lightly more subject to critical appraisal
than the other elements (see Broderick, 2009). It is questioned whether offset-
ting is a suitable mitigation approach, however worthy the projects of
investment might be. Two fundamental arguments (among a host of others)
are that such schemes do not encourage travel reduction using high-carbon
modes, nor do they add pressure to change institutional structures or ways of
doing business based on high-carbon intensity. In the case of Eurostar these
arguments do not appear valid, given that it is achieving modal shift from air
and it has addressed its business with a 'reduction, reuse and recycling'
approach in a coherent manner. Thus, it has been endorsed by non-govern-
mental organizations, critical of tourism and transport, as a progressive
approach to carbon reduction.
There are a number of lessons to be learnt from this mini-case study,
although it is based on limited data. Eurostar has taken a holistic approach to
carbon reduction and environmental impact. It has embraced all aspects of the
business and has instituted monitoring and customer feedback throughout the
scheme to date. Above all else, it has proven the environmental efficiency of
high-speed train travel (even though the trains are 17 years old) in relation to
air travel.
