Sustainable Travel – A Road Map of Support

The way we travel can have a big impact on the environment, and how sustainable we are. There are lots of different ways of travelling more sustainably; some can also help reduce costs, make activities more accessible and inclusive, and offer wider benefits to your health and wellbeing.

Sport England has produced a valuable guide as part of its support resources for sports clubs (Buddle).

 

What is sustainable travel?

Sustainable travel describes all the ways we can travel around with less harm to the environment. It can include travelling by road, rail, active, and water. 

Active travel is about walking, running, jogging, cycling, scooting, wheeling or skating to your destination. There may be times when active travel isn’t possible; for example, when the distance is too far, or it isn't safe or accessible. This isn’t where your environmentally friendly travel options end: there are lots of other ways to travel sustainably. 

Road travel can be more sustainable by driving a low-emissions or electric vehicle. Using public transport or car-sharing is also a great way to travel more sustainably. Using the train, metro or tube creates fewer carbon emissions per mile than by road. Water travel by boat or ferry can be a better option than flying if you need to travel a long way across water. Sustainable travel by plane is not yet a practical option.

 

Why do we need to travel sustainably?

There are many benefits of sustainable travel, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The less pollution we create from vehicle exhausts improves air quality and has health benefits.

Sustainable travel can also support a more equal society, reducing barriers to involvement by promoting lower-cost travel solutions.

 

What can you do to help?

Starting the journey:

There are some quick and low-cost ways to encourage sustainable travel at your organisation:

• Avoid the need to travel – plan your training, events and matches to reduce travel needs.
• Promote the use of public transport – put timetables on your noticeboards or have links to journey planners on emails and on your website.
• If you have facilities, think about having an electric vehicle charging point, bike racks or showers for those actively travelling. 
• Encourage your members to lift-share to your activity. 
• Promote active travel.

Accelerating the journey:

If you have some more time or resources, you can take sustainable travel a step further, by: 

• Creating a green travel plan, to encourage your members to travel more sustainably.
• Setting up travel options for participants to your fixtures or events such as using coaches or trains. 
• Considering using a lift-share app or scheme to promote car-sharing to events.
• Offsetting your carbon emissions from any car use. 

By travelling sustainably, you’re not only helping the environment but supporting lower-cost options, encouraging more engagement from local community members, creating connections between parents, carers, and members who can share transport, and promoting healthier lifestyles. 

We know that the most sustainable options are not always possible, and some volunteers, participants and community members may live a long distance away or very rurally. Taking small steps can make a big difference, so don’t underestimate any actions towards a more sustainable future. 

 

Top Tips

• Safety and welfare: Be sure to consider the safety and welfare of your visitors and members when promoting or using lift-sharing or public transport options. The NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit have produced some guidance on keeping children safe when travelling to events or activities.
• Active travel: An active travel option is even more sustainable than road, water, or rail travel. Consider if you could travel actively before using another sustainable travel option. 
• Carbon offsetting: Check the credentials and benefits of a carbon offsetting scheme as they can help in different ways – find one that’s right for you.

 

More information

HSP is fully committed to a greener sporting future and has a 'Environmental Sustainbility Commitment and Action Plan'. We also have a number of resources on our 'Supporting Sustainable Sport in Hertfordshire' webpage.

For more information contact a.ledbury@herts.ac.uk