Travelling sustainably in SALC: Guidance and Support

05 Apr 2024

With sustainability at the heart of the University’s core goals, we want to make it simpler for you to travel sustainably.

We have added policy and relevant information to the existing, mandatory form (SALC Pre-Travel Risk Assessment Form).

Our University’s aim is to cut carbon emissions linked to work-related travel by 50%. The School is supporting sustainable travel by having a top-up fund in place.

There are five requirements to consider when booking travel:

1. Consider whether the activity could be successfully carried out online, without travelling.
2. When travel is necessary, travellers must assess different journey options and the preference should be for the most carbon-efficient option possible, even if it is more expensive.
3. Rail should be the default option for travel within mainland UK.  Exceptions to this will be approved locally.
4. When feasible, travel to European destinations within reasonable reach of the high-speed rail network should be made by train.
5. Business class and first-class travel are out of policy. Business class air travel may be permitted for journeys outside Europe with the prior written approval of the Head of School.

The SALC policy further endorses the above requirements and advises that:

• Rail travel should be the default option for European destinations with a Eurostar connection, and ideally to destinations beyond the Eurostar hubs that are accessible by high-speed rail.
• The most carbon-efficient way to travel by air is to fly economy (the higher the number of seats and passengers in an aircraft, the lower the emissions per person), and to choose the most direct flight. Some colleagues have also reduced travel-related carbon emissions by ‘bundling’ activities in order to cut down on the number of journeys required.

We recognise that air travel often costs less due to being heavily subsidised. To support the cost of sustainable travel beyond the Personal Research Allowance (PRA) scheme, SALC has set up a top-up fund. In addition to this, where there is no ‘local’ funding available, colleagues can apply to the University’s top-up fund (see the ‘Before Travelling’ website for the link).

Useful links:

1. SALC’s travelling sustainably policy.
2. The University’s sustainable travel requirements and related tools and links.
3. Share your experience of sustainable travel here.
4. Read how Dr Shamel Azmeh (GDI, SEED) on his experience of travelling to Morocco sustainably here.