Green travel is surging in popularity, and a new survey shows the extraordinary lengths workers are willing to go to for it.
Seven in ten (70%) said they would be willing to travel by train even if it took significantly longer than by plane.
The survey quizzed more than 1,000 UK employees who plan to travel for work in the next 12 months.
Researchers identified a growing breed of self-identified rail warriors, for whom low-carbon travel has become a workplace priority.
Staff spoke about the obstacles they feel are stopping them from requesting sustainable transport.
The most common barrier was the anticipation of a negative reaction from management, either on the grounds of cost (26%) or longer journey duration (24%).
Many respondents (45%) were also supportive of companies allowing extra time to travel using greener methods.
We spoke to companies that have made support for lower carbon travel options an organisational priority.
The co-director of international communications agency Agenda, Becky Slack, said:
“Rail is my preferred mode of transport for several reasons: it enables me to be more efficient with my time as I can work while travelling, which is hard to do when flying. The train is more cost-effective due to being able to work while en route; and, ultimately, it’s better for the environment.”
Sustainable marketing agency Avery & Brown’s founder Russ Avery said: “Domestically, we’re a no-fly company, and with international trips, we always scrutinize the environmental impact.
“My co-founder and I championed this commitment in November 2022 when we took a return train journey from London to Berlin instead of flying – reducing our carbon emissions by 75% compared to if we had flown. We do our best to constantly challenge ourselves and our employees to redefine the typical approach to business journeys.”
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About the survey:
The research of 1,002 UK employees who plan to travel for work in the next 12 months (not commuting) was conducted among companies with 250+ employees by independent research company Censuswide in April 2023.