GREEN advice experts claim small businesses on Teesside are not encouraging eco-friendly work travel - despite reports the North is leading the way.
A survey of 300 smaller UK
firms found that more than half had cut car travel and face-to-face meetings, preferring to take the train wherever possible. Businesses in the North and the West Midlands took the most action.
According to the Tees and Durham Energy Advice (TADEA) centre, companies on Teesside haven’t jumped on the idea - but the problem is resources not attitude.
Daniel Ludgate, Business development manager for TADEA, said: “We have found that many larger firms are becoming greener when it comes to travel such as Corus and Proctor and Gamble. But smaller firms haven’t jumped on it as much as they should have.”
“In many cases, it’s as simple as not having somebody to co-ordinate it.
“It’s never been more beneficial to think about green travel, especially with the rises in fuel costs.”
Technology firm 3M, at Newton Aycliffe, has introduced a comprehensive green travel plan for staff. including car share schemes.
Martyn Harvey, 3M’s environmental health and safety co-ordinator, said: “We encourage a 24-hour green thinking, not just while people are at work, and look on ourselves as pro-active and responsible when it comes to the environment.”
David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, said: “Corporate and social responsibility has without doubt moved up nearly every business’s agenda over the past few years.”
