27/11/2007 00:01

Department for Transport (National)

(DFT) One hundred businesses support government's sustainable travel initiative

PLEASE NOTE EMBARGO - Not for publication or broadcast before 0001 hours Tuesday 27 Nov 2007


More than 100 companies have signed up to the Government's network of businesses dedicated to promoting sustainable travel, a development welcomed by transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick at the first annual conference of the group today.

The National Business Travel Network (NBTN) was created by the Department for Transport. It promotes sustainable travel plans as a cost effective way for businesses to address the challenge of tackling climate change whilst maintaining profitability. The Network forms a part of the cross-government climate change campaign, ACT ON CO2.

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"The ACT ON CO2 campaign aims to give the public information on how to reduce their individual carbon emissions. The fact that 100 businesses have joined the National Business Travel Network shows that cutting emissions and sharing best practice is also a priority for UK PLC, which is enormously encouraging.

"Statistics have shown that 80% of UK consumers consider sustainability and environment before deciding what goods and services to use*, which demonstrates that there are significant opportunities for businesses in going green.
"Having green travel plans and cutting vehicle miles is a way businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and save on costs - so it's a win for the company, the consumer and the environment. I would urge many more businesses to get involved in the National Business Travel Network and start cutting their CO2 emissions."

David Frost, Director General of the British Chamber of Commerce, said:
"It is important that business takes a leadership role in reducing the harmful effects of carbon emissions on the environment.

"Smarter alternatives and flexible working practices can help alleviate congestion on our transport network by taking cars off roads whilst significantly reducing companies' carbon emissions.
"Our Annual Transport Survey shows that many businesses are already engaged in smarter and more sustainable transport solutions, either through flexible working or the use of technology to allow remote or home working. What is essential, is that business leadership on issues surrounding transport and the environment continues."

Transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, and commuter and business travel constitute nearly 40% of miles driven by car. An effective travel plan can reduce commuter car travel by 10 - 30%**.

Members of the NBTN now include AstraZeneca, B&Q, BAA, BBC, BMW, Boots, BSkyB, BT, Deloitte, Debenhams, HBOS, IBM, GSK, O2, RBS, Sainsbury's, Virgin Trains and Vodafone. Major business groups such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Institute of Travel Management (ITM) are also supporting the initiative.

For further information about the National Business Travel Network conference, see http://www.nbtn.org.uk

Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Ellen O'Donoghue or Alex Lamond on 020 7403 2230 or email: ellen@forster.co.uk or alex@forster.co.uk.

  1. The NBTN Annual Conference, Better Travel, Better Business, will take place at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, London, on Tuesday 27 November 2007.
  2. The National Business Travel Network (NBTN) is a business-to-business network which enables companies to share best practice and promote the rationale for travel plans and Smarter Choices. Through research and practical case studies, NBTN is developing and demonstrating the strong business case for workplace travel planning. A Department for Transport initiative and part of the ACT ON CO2 campaign, NBTN works in partnership with and supports many existing organisations and networks, such as the CBI and BCC. The network seeks to engage at a strategic level with senior managers, including those responsible for finance and corporate social responsibility.
  3. Membership of the National Business Travel Network (NBTN) is free and network members meet regularly to explore relevant issues and opportunities in travel planning. Members of the network include Asda, AstraZeneca, B&Q, BAA, BBC, BMW, Boots, British Land, BSkyB, BT, Capshop, Computershare, Cooperative Bank, Deloitte, Debenhams, E.ON UK, EDF Energy, GSK, HBOS, IBM, ICI, IKEA, National Express, Next, O2, Orange, Pfizer, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Virgin Trains and Vodafone.
  4. For further information on the ACT ON CO2 campaign please visit http://www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2

*From a study published by Landor, Penn Schoen & Berland and Cohn & Wolfe, May 2007
** From 'Making Travel Plans Work', published by the Department for Transport, 2004
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