As Hull works towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero by 2040, businesses in the city are being encouraged to get involved.

Surface transport is now recognised as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, most of which comes from cars and vans, and commuting by active travel for all or even part of the way can significantly lower carbon footprints - even if not all car trips are replaced by cycling or walking, the potential for decreasing emissions is still huge.

Businesses looking to develop their workplace travel plans that address accessibility and encourage the use of sustainable and active travel can now get help and support from Hull City Council.

The authority’s new Business Travel Plan Officer, Caitlynne Picot, previously worked for Next PLC as a Sustainable Travel Coordinator, and joined the council earlier this year.

Caitlynne said: “Sustainable travel in a business is about understanding your employees transport needs and how these can be met by offering attractive transport alternatives such as walking, cycling and public transport.

“A workplace travel plan acts as the key to encourage sustainable commuting. This is because a travel plan sets out to combat over-dependency on cars by promoting all the possible alternatives to single occupancy car use.

“I’m delighted to be part of the team focused on improving and delivering cycling, walking and public transport in Hull.”

A travel plan as described by Transport for West Midlands, is a tool which helps organisations manage transport to and from their sites through a package of measures and actions aimed at reducing single occupancy car journeys by encouraging the use of alternative sustainable and active travel modes. Travel Plans generate benefits to the business, the local economy, the individual members of staff, the community, the environment and can increase the quality of life for all those who live and work in Hull.

Supported by the Department for Transport, Modeshift STARS is a national accreditation scheme awarded to workplaces for their excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel as part of their travel plan. The national STARS accreditation scheme recognises businesses that go above and beyond in developing, implementing and monitoring an effective travel plan to bring about a change in behaviour and reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys. The scheme is an online toolkit that supports the creation of a travel plan followed by a continuous process of planning, delivering and reviewing.

Hull City Council funds the local Modeshift Stars scheme, which is free for Hull businesses to join.

Caitlynne said: “If your business is new to travel planning or would like any travel plan related support, you can get in touch with me at Caitlynne.picot@hullcc.gov.uk or telephone 07925361224 or 01482 615034 (ext: 5034).”