Help and advice on reducing your carbon footprint when on the move
Using Public Transport
Travel by Bus
Stagecoach offer a range of discounted 'Megarider' tickets for local travel.
The Megarider gives 7 days unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses within a local area (e.g. Folkestone & Hythe) for £10.50. Tickets are also available for the Ashford, Canterbury, Dover and Thanet areas.
The Megarider Gold gives 7 days unlimited travel in Kent and East Sussex for £19.
Driving Tips
The key to fuel efficient driving is to keep your speed consistent, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This involves lifting the foot off the accelerator earlier. Coasting to a halt in gear is a big fuel saver.Check your tyre pressure regularly – Under inflated tyres are potentially dangerous, and also increase the rolling resistance between the tyre and the road, causing the engine to work harder and use more fuel.Shut windows and use the air conditioning sparingly – Air conditioning significantly increases fuel consumption.Roof boxes & rails – External fixings including bike racks increase the aerodynamic drag, which increases consumption. Remember to remove them when not in use.Remove car clutter – Golf clubs, pushchairs, or any extra unnecessary weight in the boot, can be removed to lower consumption when not needed.Avoid short journeys – When the engine is cold it uses more fuel than normal until it reaches the optimum working temperature. The catalytic converter in the exhaust, which reduces harmful emissions, is also less efficient when cold.Avoid idling – If you’re stuck in a traffic jam, switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.Maintain your car – Change your air filter annually and ensure your engine is working effectively.Plan your journey – Plan journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost.Sources: BP and www.climatecare.org
Flying We realise that sometimes people have no choice but to fly but the best thing for the planet is if you don’t fly at all, the resulting emissions can often represent the biggest chunk of your carbon footprint. Many short haul flights can be replaced by other forms of public transport such as trains or buses.
If you are feeling adventurous and have the time there are many options for travelling long haul without flying. There are many websites available offering advice on how to travel all over the world without flying.When you have to fly, always consider if you can combine trips.It’s best to fly direct rather than stopping over, aeroplanes use a lot of fuel taking off and landing.
Source: www.climatecare.org