Are car journeys necessary for most meetings?

Web collaboration company WebEx claimed that British workers who drove to business meetings were responsible for putting almost nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. It suggested that firms used the internet more to cut down on unnecessary travel.

WebEx's research revealed that almost half (46%) of workers regularly travelled by car to meetings, while only 7% conducted "travel-free" internet-style virtual meetings.

The company's vice president, Bert van der Zwan, said: ''It is up to businesses to take the lead on environmental issues by adopting smarter working practices and alternatives to commuting and business travel.

"With new technologies making it easier than ever to meet online and work from home, there is a compelling argument to lobby employers to move away from traditional ways of doing business."

The study also showed that almost two thirds (59%) of Britons drive to work each day. Over their working life, each will release an average of 42 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment - the equivalent weight of seven elephants.

Interestingly, more people actually walk to work each day (11%) than take the bus (8%). Train travellers account for 7% of commuters, followed by 3% who use the underground in cities across the UK, and 3% who cycle to work.

Jonathan Shopley, chief executive of The CarbonNeutral Company, commented: "If an employee replaces just one trip from London to Manchester with a web meeting, he would save around 56 kilograms of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and do his part to reduce global warming."

Green-fleet awards

This month several organisations were recognised for steps they have taken to reduce their CO2 emissions through so-called "green fleet management".

The first ever Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards 2006 ceremony took place in London with the support of the Observer and Guardian newspapers and Fleet News.

There were several categories awarded, based on the number of vehicles in the fleet and whether the organisation was from the private or public sector. Most were recognised for adopting more environmentally friendly vehicles and for training their staff to use more fuel efficient driving techniques.

Recruitment firm Pertemps won an award for developing and implementing an online fuel/journey management application to boost efficiency.

The overall winner was Gateshead Council, which had managed to reduce CO2 emissions by around 300 tonnes per year as a result of a review of its transport activities. Annual mileage was cut by 296,000, down 7%, and vehicles switched to use bio-diesel, LPG and electrical power.

Matthew Wright of the Energy Saving Trust and chairman of the judging panel, said: "As with energy efficiency in the home or workplace, we must also look at transport as a place where we can reduce carbon emissions.

"The winners and runners up in the Fleet Heroes Awards have taken simple, practical steps which, not only help the planet, but also help to save money and resources. My congratulations go to them all. They provide an example to any business or organisation that operates a fleet - no matter what size."