Green Gown Awards 2017 - Newcastle University - Finalist

Newcastle University’s car(bon) reduction

In 2004, the most popular way for Newcastle University staff to travel to work was by car (40%). They set out to reduce this, publishing their first Travel Plan in 2004, and developing it ever since.

By 2016, single-occupancy car journeys were down to less than 15%, with over 75% of staff now travelling to the University by public transport, walking or cycling.  Continual improvement has been achieved through consistent effort over many years to implement measures set out in their Travel Plans and (ISO14001) EMS. Measures taken include: public transport incentives and discounts, improving support for cycling, and changes to policy including reducing the availability of car parking (it can be done!) from 887 (2004) to 301 (2016). 

The University is proud that their process of continual improvement has resulted in Newcastle University being the only Russell Group university outside London to be in the lower quartile for single occupancy car journeys (source: Estate Management Record (EMR) 2015/16).

Top 3 learnings:

1 Reducing car parking isn’t easy or popular! Provide incentives for all alternative modes.

2 Staff and students LOVE having their bike fixed for free. ‘Dr. Bike’ keeps people cycling!

3 Make public transport more attractive; negotiate discounts and free trials, introduce salary deduction and ticketing via University smartcard.

4000 tCO2e in total since 2004

Videos

• Newcastle University’s car(bon) reduction (click to hide)