Our travel choices make up 27% of our carbon footprint. On average, we emit 3.4 tonnes of carbon annually from our transport choices. If we gave up having a car, we would save 2.4 tonnes of carbon emissions and if we replaced a car with an electric car, we save 0.8 tonnes of carbon emissions. But these options are not viable for many of us, so how can we reduced our carbon footprint from our journeys? Although it is hard to move away from driving a car, there are innovative ways to travel alternatively that can save you a huge amount of money and carbon emissions, especially if you use it replace a car.

Car clubs and lift sharing

Getting an annual membership to a car club will mean you only pay when you drive, you do not pay road tax or insurance, and it will be much cheaper than buying and maintaining a car. You also have much more choice with what kind of car you want to drive, including a range of electric cars. Since cars in car clubs are newer than the average car, they emit 37% less emissions than the average car. Lift sharing is another way to reduce your carbon footprint from driving. There are many benefits to lift sharing: it is cheaper to split costs of a journey, takes cars off the road and improves air quality and is a more sociable way to travel.

Public transport

If you have an excellent public transport system in your area, this will save a huge amount of money compared to using a car. Using public transport is also good for well-being; rather than having to focus on driving, you can relax reading texts or a book or socialise with friends. It will also improve air quality as less cars will be on the road and increases exercise as you walk between destination and public transport.

Bike share schemes

Bike share schemes are becoming increasingly available in cities and urban areas. Bikes schemes mean you don’t have to invest in a bike or store it. You only use them for journeys that you need. Using a bike will automatically make each journey zero emissions and improve air quality. It will also improve your fitness and health.

Plan a multi-modal journey

There are ways to plan a journey, so you are not dependent on one mode of transport. This reduces carbon emissions and puts flexibility into your journey.

• Cycle and rail: bike schemes often have docking stations near train stations, which can allow to get to a station if you don’t live near one without using a car.
• Park and ride: these schemes mean you do not have to ride into the city centre. Instead, you can drive to designated car parks and catch a bus or train to the centre.
• Stride and ride: this approach combines walking with public transport, because usually public transport does not take you door-to-door, but it is good for fitness and including it in an exercise regime.