TRAVEL
What’s the problem?
Surface transport is the UK’s highest UK carbon-emitting sector, accounting for 22% of national carbon emissions. And air travel is well known to increase global warming. But did you know that air pollution, linked to vehicle use, is the largest environmental health risk we face today? It causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.
What can I do?
In Herts, 70% of our personal journeys are made in a car and those routine trips add up. If we all made more informed transport choices, carbon emissions would fall and we could tackle air pollution.
Replace local car journeys
The government has stated it wants 50% of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.
Living Streets is the UK charity for every day walking. They have great guidance and tips on how to get walking and how to campaign for safer streets in Three Rivers. Check out their Walk With Us Strategy
Spokes is the local cycle club for SW Herts and was formed to encourage cycling, organising rides and campaigning for better and safer cycling routes
Check out Slow Ways a new app which is helping to create a national walking network. The organisation is creating a network of 8,000+ #SlowWays walking routes that connect all of the UK's towns and cities, starting with Great Britain. Download the app to your phone and find local Slow Ways in the Three Rivers area.
Use public transport
The UK target for all new buses and coaches is to power them by ultra-low or zero-emission energy by 2025. And, UK diesel trains are due to be replaced by 2040, with half the rail network electrified and the rest using hydrogen/battery electric motive power.
Here’s some useful links to help you plan your low-carbon journey:
Reduce use of delivery vans
We all increasingly rely on online shopping, which contributes to increased carbon emissions and air pollution:
Shop local
Group online purchases and deliveries
Look out for suppliers who are piloting low-carbon delivery systems e.g., robots to deliver packages. Starship has been running in Milton Keynes since March 2020
Change the way you use your car
Car travel is embedded in local life -according to the 2011 Census, 88% of households in Three Rivers own at least one car and 43% own two or more.
The best way to reduce emissions is to buy or lease a hybrid or electric car
Ethical Consumer Magazine updated its advice on electric cars in 2020
See Three Rivers District Council for information on electric vehicle charging in the district
The government Electric Vehicle Homechage Scheme provides a grant towards the cost of installing a home charger
Got an idea?
If you’d like to share your transport tips, tag us in your social media posts or get in touch and we’ll share your ideas!