Travel and transport cost institutions money but much of the cost is not immediately evident. Mileage claims and vehicle fleet management are only the visible tip of the iceberg. Under the surface there are many hidden costs. For example, there are costs associated with staff time spent travelling for business and the surprisingly high average annual cost of providing car parking spaces meaning many institutions spend thousands of pounds on parking every year. In addition, there are the costs of travel delays and unreliability due to congestion.
If the impact on the balance sheet is worse than it first appears, the same is true of the impact on the environment. Transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and cause of climate change, with commuter and business travel constituting nearly 40% of miles driven by car each year. Therefore, measures to reduce excessive vehicle use are vital for any university that seeks to achieve the aims of its Carbon Management Plan.
If you would like to connect with other EAUC members interested in this area of sustainability, join the EAUC's Transport Community of Practice. This group is for EAUC members only. Find out more.
EAUC-Scotland's Travel and Transport Topic Support Network (TSN) is open to all, providing an opportunity for those working in or with the further and higher education sector to share ideas and questions and to get together to hear from particular speakers or discuss topics of interest. Find out more about the TSNs here.
EAUC Member responses about taking part in an Everest type challenge to encourage staff to use the stairs rather than the lift.
Notes on DEFRA Workshop – 11th September 2007
This resource takes you to the intranet pages of the University of Birmingham in which they explain the environment and sustainability strategies and policies in place.
EAUC Member response which offers collated car parking charges from universities to ascertain the average price.
EAUC Member responses about the maintenance of electric vehicles.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight see why Loughborough College has been praised for ‘ticking every possible good agenda'.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how Nottingham Trent University is an organisation making positive efforts to reduce the effect its activities have on the environment.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how Newcastle University are making the commitment to environmental sustainability through a variety of initiatives.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how Macquarie University carry out their vision to be ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable in all activities.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see why Roehampton University is voted ‘number one in London for its environment on and around campus’.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how University of Exeter embeds sustainability into the university that was Times Higher University of the Year 2007/8.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how University of Bristol has had success in reducing its environmental impact over the last ten years.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how University of Bradford's Ecoversity current and past achievements as well as future goals.
In this EAUC Member Spotlight, see how University of Warwick has embedded sustainability to become a great place to work, study and play.
A practical insight into the implementation of internal environmental audits, showing their huge potential to improve operations and form a strong Environmental Management System.
A presentation from the 2012 Conference which explores how staff within and between institutions can work together to deliver cost savings, as well as positive environmental and...
A video and presentation from Richard Jackson, Head of Environmental Sustainability, University College London about what the sector might learn from the Olympics.
A presentation from the EAUC annual conference 2012 on measuring scope 3 travel data
A presentation from the EAUC Annual Conference 2012 which helps you to continue the learning and inspiration. This workshop will consider staff and student sustainable travel...
In this EAUC Member Spotlight see Leicester College's strategic commitment to sustainable development.